Here is the cheapest fishing upgrade I know: put your name on everything. I picked up the habit from a climbing partner who carried a Sharpie everywhere, and it has saved me money and headaches ever since. This short episode covers where to write it and why it matters.
Fly Boxes: Use Your Phone Number
Inside a fly box I write only my phone number, not my name. Most people in fly fishing will happily call and return a box they find. I write my name on the outside as well. I learned this the hard way early in my fly fishing life, when a gifted box of wet flies that I treasured went missing within days because it had no contact info in it. A fly box often holds a season of work and money, so it is the first thing to label. I even put my number on dubbing and tying materials.
Boots, Where Everyone Has the Same Pair
At a lodge, rows of identical boots are the norm, often in the same size from the same brands. Add your initials or name so you know yours at a glance. Write it somewhere that holds up. Heels are tempting, but you often scrape them when you pull your boots off with the opposite foot, so choose a spot that will not rub away. Re-mark it when it fades.
Bags, Packs, and Shared Trip Gear
On group trips, duffels and wading bags all look alike. After one trip to Arkansas where several of us packed matching bags, the debate over whose bag was whose was a lesson in itself. A name on the bag ends the confusion. I try to write it in a similar spot on each pack so I know where to look. Waders, rain jackets, nets, rod tubes, and reels deserve a mark too.
Gear
Any permanent marker will do the job, and a paint pen lasts longer on dark surfaces. If you want to represent the show while you are at it, check out our five-panel cap, and give it a name too. Your local fly shop can also suggest labels and tags that suit your specific gear.
