Before fishing check first for mice

Most waters open for brown trout fishing on April 1. As a result, there will be a lot of feverish activity as anglers emerge from their winter hibernation.

A lot of this frantic stuff could actually be avoided because, after all, the last season closed at the end of September.

However, human nature being what it is and despite good intentions, getting stuff ready is frequently left until the last minute.

Some of the preparatory tasks can cause a bit of domestic unease too.

On your last fishing outing, if you heard a grating noise as the fly line passed through the rod rings, it either needs cleaning or chucking away.

Yes, I know, I’m talking to Yorkshire anglers, so we’ll go for cleaning.

This is, ostensibly, a very simple task, but things can become a bit fraught.

The best way to do the job is to gently pull the line through a soft cloth anointed with the stuff that’s used to clean the car dashboard.

Allow it to fall in big coils on the floor. Before you do so however, it is, important to vacuum the carpet.

Otherwise the line will become covered in fluff and dog hairs, which is counter-productive.

This is where the potential problems start. Prepare yourself, because the domestic management department will enquire about hoovering becoming part of your familial duties.

Be careful before you answer; it can cause a repetitive strain injury to the casting arm.

Oh, and by the way, if you’ve emptied out the fishing bag, beware of another hazard.

Those bits of nylon that you screwed up in there to prevent environmental catastrophes will cause all sorts of fun and games if they wrap around the hoover brushes.

Worst case scenario? You will burn out the electric motor and fill the living room with acrid smoke. Don’t ask me how I know this stuff; I just do.

One last thing. If you have a cat, shut it in the kitchen before you start.

It’s more than likely that reels will require a bit of maintenance too.

The insides will be full of grit and sand and will need lubrication.

I’m not going to dwell on this for too long but I’ll just mention a couple of things to avoid.

First, do not put your expensive alloy reel through the dishwasher. The substance that makes your glasses sparkle corrodes spindles and drag systems more effectively than sea water.

Second piece of advice: I can’t recommend squirting WD40 on the parquet floor or the vinyl tiles if you don’t want to turn the place into a skating rink.

If you stored your rods in the garage or shed over winter, send the kids out before you bring them in to check over.

The cloth bag in which you enshrine your treasured possessions, make perfect nesting material for mice and chances are that they will have nibbled bits off yours.

If you are really out of luck, they will have helped themselves to lumps of the cork handle too.

Young and impressionable ears should not be assailed with your ensuing words of wisdom.

Mice also like to urinate on things too, so if the corner of the living room begins to niff, don’t blame the cat.

To add insult to injury, mice are also very fond of chewing waders. It’s best to check before stepping in the water.

My old friend Cliff tells me that his rod bags were attacked by a veritable army of mice.

They are now lined up neatly in the freezer awaiting transformation into this year’s killer pattern for the River Rye, the mouse and claret which you can see in the picture above.

Flies dressed by Stephen Cheetham. 0113 2507244. www.fishingwithstyle.co.uk

Roger Beck 01439 788483.