Checklist Needed For This Senior

[billems]

I have always been a forgetful guy. I am ADHD, but as a child, I was just considered stupid. I learned to get around it, and enjoy some successes in life. But the advent of seniorship have seen things really go south. I took a few tests for dementia, and have no sign of it. But the malady really puts the crimp to my fishing. I have often driven 40 miles to my stream, having forgotten my waders. I've driven home from the same stream, having left an R.K. Bolt rod leaning against a tree (mercifully retrieved it upon discovery). Last week, I placed my Jenkins on my windshield so I wouldn't drive off without it after wrestling out of my waders, but did so (It was far to the right on the window; and a fishing pal flagged me down as I approached). And now, I'm heartbroken following the loss of my new commemorative Hardy Lightweight. Did I drive off with it? Maybe. Perhaps stolen? I doubt it. Perhaps it's somewhere in the house? Endless searches indicate no.

Pilots, prior to takeoff, go through a checklist. I learned to do it when I took some flying lessons (I dropped out, knowing, with my condition, I'd probably destroy the lives of a plane full of innocents). But the checklist thing is apt. I plan to have two drawn up. One for embarking, the other for the return trip. I'll be 72 in July. Arthritic, forgetful, and wade with a staff. Checklist. I hope I don't forget to bring it.

[troutnut]

I find that if I take the rod apart and put away first before you take waders off you won't forget the fly rod. Vest next then waders and boots are next and put everything your car or truck before proceeding to the next item and before you no it everything is your vehicle one item at a time.
Fred

[Flykuni3]

I've left stuff, lost stuff, arrived onstream without a reel, etc. Ugh. I once put a valuable St. George on my rear bumper and drove away to the Madison campground. The next morn I looked for the reel, then realized with a start that I left it back there. I drove as fast as I safely could and there the damn thing was on the ground at Nez Perce. It sat there all night and through the early morning. Oh my god, what a stupid piece of cow pie I was. It happens to us. There's so much stuff we have to remember to bring.

I routinely do a feet-to-head checklist: boots socks sock liners neoprenes vest/or waist pack repellant jacket shades hat, then out to arm: rod and reel, staff and net. Camera in waterproof case Baggies for phone and wallet. I usually put my car keys in or under brush near the car (so I never drop them onstream). So far, so good.

Wait, did I close the garage???

[Silver Doctor]

I keep my fly-fishing stuff in a large duffel bag, what goes out during a trip goes back in at the end of the day.

[dublhaul]

billems,

PM sent to you.

[jimwright]

I'm 78, same malady and grew up thinking I was stupid as well. And not the sharpest knife in the drawer yet but I learned to live with it a long time ago. Lately I've experienced some of what you are describing. My other obsession is traditional archery and a few weeks ago after shooting on a local 3d range, I drove off with an expensive custom recurve bow on the roof of my vehicle. It came off when I reached 40 mph or so and I was sick but it's back with the bowyer now and it's going to be saved. I have since committed to a strategy of NEVER putting anything on the outside of my car EVER, not even for a second.

[DrLogik]

I keep all of my things except waders and boots in a medium duffle bag and it's always ready to go. I'm religious about keeping exactly what I need in that duffle including spares on things that can break. So, two reels, vest or hip belt, hat, bug dope, head net, long sleeve fishing shirt, wading socks, wader repair kit, you get the picture.

I put waders and boots in a big commercial super heavy-duty black trash bag. It serves multiple purposes: It's a transport to the stream bag, and wet gear take-home bag and a dry place to sit/stand getting geared up and "de-gearing".

Rods go into a tandem rod tube, the kind that can take a rod with the reel installed. So three things. Gear bag, wader bad and rod tube.

Does that mean I don't forget things? NOPE!! But it has helped considerably.

When breaking down my gear to go home, and I learned this lesson the hard way, the FIRST thing I do is put the rod back in the tube and the tube goes in the car. Then I take off waders, etc. I NEVER, EVER, EVER put my rod on the top of or leaning on the car. I'm glad you asked. I drove off with my rod on the roof years ago and heard a thunk, didn't stop until about a mile later when, OH CRAP, DAMMIT and banged a U-turn.

[Holland]

Yep, get yourself a routine. I do pretty much the same thing as the fellows above. As I arrive to fish put on waders and boots, grab vest then last get out the rod and reel. Go fishing. Preparing to leave, put important rod, reel, vest first into tube and duffle. Waders and boots next up, they go in a round light plastic bucket from Tractor Supply. Look at the rod tube, duffle and plastic bucket. Look around at the ground at rear of jeep. Drive away. Me and Steve started doing that thirty years ago and it works.

[nativebrownie]

Yep, rod and reel last things assembled and I start walking - On return, first things stowed away.

[bobk]

Like a few above have said establish a routine and stick to it !!!

And don't talk with anyone while doing it or don't be looking around at what's going on either. Again, focus, focus and pay attention.

Think about all that's involved getting ready and the steps to undo all of that when you're done for the day......... it's a lot !

I follow that regimen when going upland hunting, fishing or kayaking.

Many times I have refused help or asked others not to talk to me when getting my gear ready or putting it away.

[Holland]

That’s a good point about distractions bobk.

[Brooks]

I’ve been doing the “did I leave the oven on?” bit quite a bunch lately…..when I’m too far from home to go back and check.
It’s always a relief to come home to …..a home still standing.

[AlexP]

Hello,

We have had two campers the last 15 years. I made many mistakes throughout our outings. From pouring a large portion of the Black Water tank over me, to breaking an awning, to forgetting filling the fresh water tank before setting up camp completely…. Anyway, I have an extensive checklist that I print now with probably 50 different steps. I do not cross an item until it is completed. All in chronological order. This has minimized errors to almost none. Extremely helpful. I encourage you to write all the steps down on paper, if you have access to printer, do it in the PC and print the list every time you go fishing. By having it on paper and checking the steps as you go, literally with a pen, you will avoid errors. Also a good idea to put everything separated. For example (1) Net (2) waders (3) boots. I would not combined waders and boots…. I know I might sound too obsessed… There could be all kind of distractions (another angler, an animal, urgent phone call, thunderstorm…) Just keep checking the steps off and you will not only avoid mistakes but reduce stress.

Tight Lines!

[Flykuni3]

And don't talk with anyone while doing it or don't be looking around at what's going on either. Again, focus, focus and pay attention.

Many times I have refused help or asked others not to talk to me when getting my gear ready or putting it away.

Yes to this, getting distracted while packing up is the worst. Here's a funny story on losing things while de-gearing at the car. My fishing pal Marcelo got into the driver's seat and couldn't find his keys -- but the car was operational, so the keys were close by. We looked everywhere, went through all bags and clothing, under seats, under car, it was very puzzling......the keys were found at the bottom of one of the booties on his waders. He put them in at the top so he wouldn't drop or lose them.

[Adamsdry]

If you arrive at your fishing destination and find that you've forgotten your rod/reel, waders/boots, flies or other such necessities, I hope you brought libation.
Then again that may well be the reason you leave something behind stream or lake side.

Que Sera Sera!

D

[Peales]

Great thread. Great advice. If only I could have read this thirty years ago!

[billems]

Hello,

We have had two campers the last 15 years. I made many mistakes throughout our outings. From pouring a large portion of the Black Water tank over me, to breaking an awning, to forgetting filling the fresh water tank before setting up camp completely…. Anyway, I have an extensive checklist that I print now with probably 50 different steps. I do not cross an item until it is completed. All in chronological order. This has minimized errors to almost none. Extremely helpful. I encourage you to write all the steps down on paper, if you have access to printer, do it in the PC and print the list every time you go fishing. By having it on paper and checking the steps as you go, literally with a pen, you will avoid errors. Also a good idea to put everything separated. For example (1) Net (2) waders (3) boots. I would not combined waders and boots…. I know I might sound too obsessed… There could be all kind of distractions (another angler, an animal, urgent phone call, thunderstorm…) Just keep checking the steps off and you will not only avoid mistakes but reduce stress.

Tight Lines!

I always dreamed to have a camper. Your black water horror story is a dire warning. I knew a band that toured in a Winnebago. Bunch of yo-yos back in the 70s. They were in Wyoming, in the mountains, and were just going to dump the "black water" at the side of the road. But the full tank was frozen that the entrance. The roadie got out with a stick... Well, he was covered like a mudman!

[BSAGuy]

Tips -

Keep all your stuff together in one place
Get a routine
Fish with a buddy so you can check each other's gear coming and going
Definitely use a checklist.

I always use such a list for packing for backpacking or car camping trips and even regular travel. Just works for mew and keeps me from the "palm to forehead at 25,000' when I recall something I forgot.

Checklists really came about due to the complexity of the WWII B-17 bomber.

Story here: https://www.parking-mobility.org/2021/0 ... checklist/

And here: https://theaviationgeekclub.com/did-you ... model-299/

Actual WWII checklist here (for the history buffs):https://stephentaylorhistorian.com/wp-c ... cklist.pdf

[AlexP]

I always dreamed to have a camper. Your black water horror story is a dire warning. I knew a band that toured in a Winnebago. Bunch of yo-yos back in the 70s. They were in Wyoming, in the mountains, and were just going to dump the "black water" at the side of the road. But the full tank was frozen that the entrance. The roadie got out with a stick... Well, he was covered like a mudman!

That is pretty good… I will save you the details of mine, but it is not as funny as your story.

Tight Lines!

[Caneghost]

A plus one for keeping to a routine and avoiding distractions. I lost a rod and reel decades ago when I was interrupted by a lost couple of tourists. They did not speak much english so it was a cumbersome, time consuming conversation. Took off my waders and vest first and set the rod and reel on the roof of the station wagon. You all know the rest.

I hang my waders on the porch, and the boots are right there with them, yet I drove halfway to the river without them for the second time recently. Forgot to put them on, which I generally do right there on the porch.