Well it that time of year.  Thanksgiving is here and Christmas is now just around the corner. We are having very cold weather here in the Pacific Northwest.  As I write this it is 10 degrees outside!

With freezing temperatures fishing can be challenging.  The boat ramps are very icy, your guides on your fishing rod freeze practcially every cast.  But it is hard to resist the urge to get to the river and fish because we know winter steelhead are coming into  the river and any day now it will turn on.  There is just something about steelhead fishing that is so hard to resist. 

From time to time I am asked what I do to winterize my boat.  My reply is, "I fish."  While I do not need to prepare my engines for a winter sleep.  I do have to prepare my boat for freezing weather, and you should too. 

If you have a kicker engine, with a hot box, you should clear out the water in the inlet hose to the hot box.  I installed a T connector with a vacuum plug in the middle of this hose.  This lets me blow out water from the hose without disconnecting it.  Washdown systems are priceless, but you have to disconnect the inlet and outlet hoses to the pump, so water in the diaphram will drain and not freeze.  Frozen water in the washdown pump will crack the pump and that can cost you. 

When you are fishing, ice build up on your line guides will damage your line if left unchecked.  So make sure you keep the ice off your guides.  Dress in layers and keep warm.  I don't wear gloves when I fish, so I change the hand I am using to hold my rod every time I cast.  I keep my other hand in my pocket with a toasty handwarmer.  Disposable handwarmers are invaluable.  Save some money and buy a box of them in the summer.

Be careful at the boat ramp.  Boat trailers with carpet bunks have a tendancy to freeze your boat to the trailer.  This can be frustrating!  When Spring returns you should consider replacing the carpet bunks with a composite bunk.  These do not freeze to the boat of your boat as easily.  You never know what you might find when you get to the boat ramp.  You might need extra help putting in and taking out.  So make sure you have your snow chains with you. 

Stay warm and enjoy this time of year.  Winter Steelheading can bring memories to last a lifetime.

I hope you have a Happy Thanksgiving.  Enjoy the time with your friends and family.  I look forward to seeing you on the water.