Housekeeping for 2025

The build up to the Christmas Holiday is over and we look forward to the start of another year next week. It’s been a cold one for us here in the Valley, and we can only keep our fingers crossed for just a little bit warmer weather and maybe even some snow.

But before we can get too carried away with looking to the future and planning new adventures in the new year, we should probably tend to our list of things to fix, replace or tend to in terms of our outdoor gear, clothing and relationships.

I experienced some catastrophic failures with the zippers on three of my Sitka jackets. Yes yes, talk all the smack you want about Sitka, but I do have to say, their warranty is like no other I’ve experienced. Every time I have reached out regarding a warranty repair, I have heard back promptly and received my piece fixed and as good or stronger than new. And at no additional cost to myself.

There’s also my pair of Orvis Pro waders. I have yet to reach out to Orvis, but I do plan on returning my year-old pair to get the pockets fixed. For the price and durability, I do not believe the pair that I have should have given out as easy.

If you do have a problem, like a failed zipper, ripped pocket, or other functional issue with a piece of gear, I highly recommend reaching out to that company now and addressing the issue before you really need to use it again. The worst time to send in a rain jacket is in August and the worst time to send in a pair of waders is in June.

Did you have a successful fall hunting season? Check the sharpness on your skinning knife if you have a fixed blade. Get that thing razor sharp before you find yourself standing over a spring black bear and realize you never touched that knife up after quartering your moose last year. If you use a replaceable blade knife, make sure you’ve disposed of your old blades safely and purchased new ones for the upcoming season.

Last week I wrote about how I enjoy using Caribou Gear game bags and receiving them as Christmas gifts. I wash and reuse them until they get smelly or torn. Address these issues now in the winter before next fall when you’re about to leave for a 10 day moose hunt and realize you only have three usable quarter bags. Purchase more, fix the ones you have and really get those things cleaned before their next use.

Remember that gritty reel you were using to flip for the record number of reds last July on the Kenai? Yeah, I sure do. I need to rip that old Abu Garcia levelwind apart and clean it and oil it up before the Russian fish start showing up in June. If your gear needs tuning, now is the time to fix it. I also have a broken rod that I need to warranty and get a new top section for.

A few weeks ago I wrote about making a list during extended trips on things that I wish I had brought with me. This is the time of year to start making headway on that list. Receiving gift cards for Christmas is amazing because you can use that money towards the purchase of something you truly want and need, like a new inflatable pillow or a set of noise-cancelling ear buds. If you need something that you can only order, do so with plenty of lead time.

Most importantly, this is the time to be with friends and family. For all the time that we spend outdoors, this is the time we need to spend quality time with the ones we love. Yes, some of you may continue to make crazy trips chasing lake trout on the ice or filling the freezers by hunting blacktails on the beach. But I do urge all of you to really take the time to be present and engaged with your family. By making time for them now, real, quality time, you are making that deposit in the home wellness bank to withdraw when you go on that 10 day moose hunt, or that week-long float trip down a remote river in Western Alaska. The time you put in now will make those trips less straining on your family life.

These are all things I’m putting into practice right now to prepare for all that 2026 has in store.