Some people take only one fishing trip a year. Others fish in May, June and early July, but by now have hung up their rods. Anglers who are done fishing for the summer, or will be soon, should take to heart this annual reminder: Back off your reel drags before storing them. Doing so will extend a reel's useful lifetime immeasurably. By contrast, leaving a drag tightened year-round means you'll be shopping for a new reel sooner than later.

Dennis Anderson