Can Carmex Keep Your Guides Ice Free?
Winter is both the best and worst season for trout fishing in Colorado.
Why the best? The thinner crowds (the die-hards generally have better etiquette), the beautiful snow-covered landscapes, and the opportunity to hook into a giant fish on any given drift. Well, any given perfect drift, that is.
Why the worst? The winter weather can be brutal. The winds will freeze your joints and chap every inch of uncovered skin. The days are short and the window of opportunity to catch trout is even shorter. And wading in the nearly freezing water can bring down body temperatures in a hurry.
Especially when you’re in above your waist. For obvious reasons…
One of the most annoying things to deal with on bitter cold days is ice in the guides of your fly rod. The little icicles that form in the freezing air can make casting and stripping line impossible. There are a few fly fishing brands that make de-icing pastes and gels, which are a great investment if you spend a lot of time on the water.
But if you’re a fellow DIY angler, you probably don’t see the point in spending money on a problem that can potentially be solved with a household solution. This winter, I’ll be testing a few different substances and asking around to find out the best hacks for keeping your guides ice free.
FIRST UP: Carmex Lip Balm
Q: Will Carmex keep ice off my guides?
A: Well… Sorta. It won’t keep them clear, but it does make the ice easier to remove. The Carmex seems to bind with the ice and soften it up, but you’ll still be picking at your guides from time to time. You’ll also have to reapply liberally throughout the day.
Still not sure what the long term effects of these chemicals are on fly lines and guides/ferrules. Probably best to find another solution in general (like the lemon Pledge method from Anglers All), but Carmex can be useful in a pinch.