The Field & Stream Tips Blog

Keep Rocks and Dirt Out of Your Waders

I like to keep a spare floor mat in the trunk of my truck to throw on the ground when I change into and out of my waders. This prevents pebbles and dirt from sticking to my socks and entering my waders—and it keeps my truck cleaner.
Mike DeRobertis, Scarsdale, N.Y.

Fish Nymphs and Buggers Scent Free

Whenever I'm flyfishing with a nymph or Woolly Bugger, I like to take some mud side from the stream and work it into the fly. This does a good job of removing my scent from the fly.
Rob Sullivan, Peterborough, N.H.

Spool Mono in a Floss Dispenser

A while back, after I yanked out and cut the last strand of dental floss from one of those white plastic dispensers, I wondered if the dispenser could still be put to use in my tackle box. Turns out, it could. I wrapped monofilament around the small spool inside the dispenser. Not only is this a handy mono carrier, but the built-in cutter works great for snipping leader.
Donald Wier, Lititz, Pa.

Unspool Your Reel With a Drill

To remove old fishing line from your spool in a hurry, use a drill. Simply tie the line to the bit, then pull the trigger. The line comes tearing off the spool in seconds. Afterwards, remove the bit, and the bundle of line will come right off.
Tyler Anderson, Jenison, Mich.

Measure Your Catch With a Curtain Rod

I fashioned a light, accurate, and inexpensive offshore fish-measuring device from an adjustable curtain rod. I use a rod that extends from 24 inches to 48 inches, and I used a permanent marker to mark measurement points along the rod, indicating the legal lengths for various species. This way, I just line the rod next to my catch and I can quickly tell if it's legal to keep the fish. I also make note on the rod for daily bag limits.
Randy Black, Sellersburg, Ind.

Stuff Tube Lures With Scent Balls

I fish with tube baits almost exclusively in the spring. And to make them even more irresistible, I dip small pieces of cotton balls into bait scent and then stuff them into the tube before I insert the jig head. This creates a scent trail, which drives big bass crazy!
Greg Jacobsen, Clark, N.J.

Fillet Fish on a Clipboard

An inexpensive and portable fish-filleting table can be made from a clipboard. Just clip the tail and fillet as you normally would. The clip provides a secure grip for when you work the knife back toward the head.
Mick Smith, Miamisburg, Ohio

Tie a Better Glo-Ball

To tie a more natural-looking glo-bug, try soaking it in water before you trim them it into a ball. This makes the fly look more like a salmon egg.
Dillon O'Donnell, Lower Burrell, Pa.

Inject Some Life into Your Baits

I use a small syringe to inflate my grubs and other small baits with a bit of air. This keeps my baits off the stream bottom—and in the feeding path of big fish—and makes them look more natural. I’ve been using this trick for years, and the fish tear it up!
Jason Locke, Milton, Pa.

Protect Your Reel (and Have a Drink)

If your post-fishing drink is a Crown and Coke, then I’ve discovered a use for the purple drawstring bag that come with a bottle of Crown Royal. I use the bags as covers for my reels. I cut a 1-inch hole in the bottom corner, which allows me to slide the butt of my rod through the bag, and completely enclose the reel. This works great for any type of reel.
Theodore Fulk, Overland Park, Kan.