Check:
Oil
Transmission fluid
Power steering fluid
brake fluid
Belts & Antifreeze
Air cleaner/filter
Tire pressure (Also check your spare)
Unusual wear on tires
Windshield wipers and wiper fluid
Lights (headlights, high beams, tail lights, emergency hazard lights, backing lights, and turn signals)

Don't Forget These
Car Water - Container full of tap water for the car.
Screw Driver - Both a Philips head and a regular screwdriver are recommended.
Spare Tire - Ever forgotten to replace your spare? Ever forgotten to replace your spare and went to use it? I bet you remember that long walk especially if it was cold and raining.
Can of Fix-A-Flat - This stuff is great for fixing slow leaks and small punctures. Just make sure you get it fixed it doesn't last forever.
Lug Wrench and Jack - These have gotten to be pretty model- specific. Without them, you'll need a tow-truck.
Hubcap Key - Another model-specific piece of equipment you don't want to have to buy on the road.
Duct Tape - Also known as "hundred-mile-an-hour tape." As in, it'll hold even at one hundred per.
Bike Pump - You can pump up your tires with this, even if you won't want to. But sometimes, you just have to make do.
Jumper Cables - Are there still people without these essentials?
Extra Fuses - Not so obvious, and you won't have to be stranded by a .35-cent piece of plastic and miss out on some great fishing.
Air Pressure Gauge - You can just trust the one on the air hose. 'Course, you could trust the kids to pack your fishing gear, too.
Motor Oil - Of course you had the car serviced before you left, but what if the guys at the Fast Lube place forget to tighten something?
Extra Gas Can - You never know when that secret fishing hole might be a little farther than your fuel gauge.
Pliers and/or an adjustable wrench - Handy in a hundred ways.
Knife - You'll be surprised how often you wish you had one if you don't.
Flashlight - If you're like most diehard fisherman your trip starts at dark and ends at dark.
Flares & Triangle reflector kits

These are just a few helpful reminders to make sure you make it to that could be once in a lifetime fishing trip. As with all check lists there is always room for improvements and modifications. Good Luck!

Pre-Fishing Trip Checklist
The best way to not leave the house thinking that there is something that you have forgotten and could ruin that could be once in a lifetime fishing trip is to go over your checklist.

Top Ten Essentials
1. Fishing License & Punch Card & Ink Pen - Never leave home without it.
2. Fishing Rod - It is always a good idea to bring a spare for those just in case situations
3. Fishing Reels - Again you might want to bring a spare.
4. Clothing - Dress in layers, it's a lot easier to take it off then it is to put it on when you don't have it.
5. Hat w/ Bill & Gloves - A good pair of these can make you day much more enjoyable.
6. Waders, Wading Shoes, & Wading Belt - You ever watched guys catching fish in water you couldn't cast too, because you had to stand on dry land.
7. Rain Gear - You don't know cold and wet till you stood all day on the river in a rainstorm.
8. Food - It could be a long day when your stomach is making more noise than the river.
9. First Aid Kit - You never know when accidents might happen.
10. Water - You don't want to have to drink river water when you don't know what that guy a couple hundred yards upstream is doing with his waders around his knees

Some Other Stuff
Tackle Box & Lures
Extra Main Line & Leader
Hooks & Swivels
Lead weight
Pre Tied Leaders
Extra Corky & Cheaters
Colored Yarn
Fishing Scents
Bait & Bait Container
Tape Measure
Small Towel
Sunglasses
Hook File
Fillet Knife
Sharpening Stone
Multi Tool Pocket Knife
Scissors
Strong Cutting Pliers
Reel Oil
Spray Lube
Waterproof Bag or Backpack
Camera & Film or Memory Card
Batteries
Sun Block
Insect Repellant
Wader Repair Kit
Flash Light
Personal Care Items & Medicine (Prescription Drugs, Aspirin, Tums, & Ect.)
Binoculars
Flashlight or Lantern
Compass
Map
Waterproof Matches
Rope
Extra Clothing (Socks, Shirts, Jacket, & Ect.)
Hand warmers
Thermos
Toilet Paper
Plastic Bags (For your garbage or egg skeins)
Ice Chest w/ Ice (To keep those fish cool on the ride home)

These are just a few helpful hints that might make your fishing trip more enjoyable. Again there is no one perfect checklist and there is always room for improvement or modifications. Good Luck on all your fishing adventures.

Curt Carlisle
Chas'n A Dream Guide Service

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