Preparing for the new salmon fishing season in Scotland

This is a difficult time of the year for the fisherman. The trout season is more than two months away and we can't begin fishing for salmon until the middle of January and even then only on the Tay – for most rivers we must wait at least another 3 to 5 weeks!

So what are we to do during these miserable weeks of fishing inactivity? For me, this is the time to make an inventory of all my equipment and to take the time to think about which flies brought me success and which flies let me down during the previous season.

Here is my list of the 6 top tasks for the winter;

1. Carefully inspect all fishing lines – some faults can be repaired with a carefully applied drop of Aquasure, but in most cases, if a line is damaged, there is only one option; it must be binned

2. Reorganize all of your flies by pattern and size - get tidy. You should inspect every one of the flies in your box. If any fly is not perfect, take it out of the box and decide if it can be repaired. If it can't be repaired, perhaps you can strip off the dressing and reuse the hook. If not, then it must be discarded.

3. Carry out a service on all of your reels. They should be cleaned thoroughly, inspected and graphite grease should be applied to all working parts.

4. Repair any leaks in your waders. I use a specialist company to do this; DiverDave. Waders are expensive, so it is worthwhile to ensure that repairs are done properly - Dave and his team to a fantastic job and I will guarantee that your waders will come back better than new.

5. Prepare a list of all the equipment you need – either to replace what has been lost or to enhance your inventory. Then take out your wallet and start spending money!

6. Get busy making copies of all your best flies. I will make at least 5 copies in perhaps 4 different sizes of my 5 or 6 favorite flies – that equates to more than 100 flies! It is a big job, but when you consider that each fly would cost perhaps £2, that represents a big cost saving.

If you, like me, are fanatical about your fishing, all this work is actually a pleasure and doing it will fill you with excitement and anticipation for the season ahead.