On those winter days when the wind blows and temperatures plummet, don’t forget about fishing. It might not be the day to brave the elements, but it’s a great opportunity to tune up your equipment for better days. It’s also the perfect time to reorganize the tackle box, check all your lines, practice casting and tie a few flies. Checking all systems on boats and motors, getting any needed service and making those changes and upgrades are much easier to accomplish when conditions are less than perfect.

Check all rods and reels for signs of wear and tear, clean fly lines and maybe even spool on some fresh line. This is a chance to correct mistakes before they happen. There’s nothing more deflating than finally getting on the water, hooking a good fish and losing it to a sticking drag, dull hook or loose knot. Sitting down and making a checklist can help with the organization process and assist you in remembering those items that might get overlooked.

Starting with the tackle box or other tackle system, go through and make note of any lures or flies that you haven’t used that would be better put in a reserve box or thrown away. Especially look for corrosion on hooks. Often it might not be apparent. Just a small spot can mean a break that will result in the loss of a hard won bite. More than once I’ve watched a fish eat my fly and wondered why I didn’t connect, only to find the hook had broken.

In the scheme of things line is inexpensive and warrants a close look. If you have any question about wear and tear or are considering making changes to a new line, this is a good time to take the plunge. Generally, it’s only the first few hundred feet of line that are used, so it’s a good idea to unspool a reel (fly or conventional) occasionally and check for corrosion on the spool. Even if you wash your rigs after every use, there’s a good chance the fresh water doesn’t penetrate deep into the line or backing. When cleaning a reel after use in saltwater, it’s a good idea to wash with a light stream as opposed to a sharp spray. You don’t want to drive salt into the remaining line on the spool.

Reels should be cleaned and lubed inside and out once or twice a year depending on how much they’re used. Tools that are helpful include a small flat head and phillips head screwdriver, pliers and wrenches. Lubricants generally come with a reel, but the outside of a reel cleans nicely with a silicone spray (that doesn’t attract dirt) applied to a clean rag. For cleaning supplies have cotton swabs, isopropyl rubbing alcohol, tooth brush, paper towels and rags available. There are a lot of resources on the Web with instructions on cleaning specific reels, special products and schematics, so searching for your brand is a good idea.

Rod maintenance should include a wipe down with silicone on a clean rag, inspection and cleaning ferrules and reel seats. Make sure to inspect the guides of a rod for any sign of wear like a possible crack in the ceramic inserts.

No matter how good you are about maintaining your gear, a hard look at all systems will often reveal an overlooked item that will improve your fishing experience when you get on the water. The cold and windy days are a perfect time to make these inspections.