Mandatory formalities
Before choosing your fishing route, you must complete some administrative formalities. You need your fishing license and check the compatibility with the reciprocity of the region where you will practice! For this, a visit to your federation's website and the carte-de-pêche website will be useful. Also think about checking the specific regulations of your course, in order to be sure that there are no new restrictions: barbs, no-kill courses, type of technique authorized ...
Weather, traffic and proper attire
Even before preparing your equipment, "look" for the weather forecast in order to see the temperature, the wind forecast or even the possible bad weather forecast on the day. In adequacy, plan your fishing outfit. In any case, think of a hat, cap/visor and polarized glasses.
Also check the vigicrue website which will give you precise information on the flow and height of the main rivers!
Finalize the preparation of the material
Once the two previous aspects have been verified, prepare the equipment according to the course you wish to fish. You will have to adapt to the biotope, the flow, but also to the size of the fish you are looking for.
The rod will have adequate power, mounted on a reel with braid or nylon checked or replaced! Also check that you have enough leader (remove the elastic from the fluorocarbon spool to visually check how much line you have left).
A spare rod or combo can be a real plus in case of bad luck or if you have to change spots.
Set up your lure boxes meticulously so you can easily find your way around. There is no need to overload yourself, even if you want to try new things or deal with every situation...
Check that triple hooks do not need to be changed to single hooks (due to specific regulations) or that barbs need to be crushed. In any case, check the hooks and their prongs and replace those that need to be replaced.
Think of the small accessories that make life easier at the water's edge: pliers, scissors, staples, landing net...
Photo and portable equipment
Once the equipment is ready, the day before, remember to charge your phone and your camera equipment! Fill up your car, GPS points and travel time to organize your first trout trip of the year and immortalize your best catches!
Finally, don't forget to prepare your picnic, and to have something to last the shock (cereal bars, water, sandwiches...).
We wish you a great opening and last but not least, don't forget to enjoy yourself at the water's edge!
