At this time of year it can get really muddy especially just out in front of the rods. With all the tramping up and down it doesn't take long for the mud to start covering everything making the going tough. However back in 2004 I came up with the answer, a mud sheet. Its actually a light-weight semi-permeable nylon cloth sheet around ten feet square and once laid on the ground it acts as a barrier to the mud but lets the water soak through. Not only does this keep the mud down but it also prevents pools of water forming. When it's time to pack away all you do is wash it out in the lake margin, give it a good wring and spread it out to dry. Happy days!