Weekly Round-Up: Personal Security While Traveling
Common sense goes a long way, wherever you are.
Another weekend. Suddenly it’s mid-May, and many of us are heading into summer adventures. I’m just back from hosting a group of anglers in Belize at Turneffe Island Resort, a few weeks after that, it’s back down to Bolivia to host a group for heli-fishing golden dorado at Tsimané. There’s a lot of other work activity going on behind the scenes, and the days are busy. I’m still managing to find some time for long walk-in the sunshine (some of the best thinking time) and I’m always grateful for that.
This week we dive into something that I’ve had some inquiries on lately: personal safety while traveling. The world’s growing more and more chaotic, and that doesn’t seem to be a trend that will be changing any time soon. I know some folks are changing their travel plans, preferring to stay home, and that’s fair game. For those of us who continue to head out, there are some things we can do to “watch our six” while we’re out in the world. Basic skillsets and actions that I see most humans ignoring.
The Colombians say, “No dar papaya.” Translation: “Don’t give papaya.” —> Don’t be sweet. —> Don’t be a sweet target. It’s a saying that’s stuck with me for a long time, and a sentiment I see travelers ignoring remarkably often. Below I dive into a few core tenets of my own personal safety rules for when I travel (and, let’s be honest, at home, too). Let me know if any resonate with you.
A Few Key Basics For Travel Safety
Simple Tips to Help Put Your Mind At Ease
Safety is on a lot of people’s minds these days. In the past few months I’ve had upcoming hosted trip guests, Instagram followers, and random strangers reach out with one of the following:
“I’m traveling soon and I’m worried my flights will be canceled and I’ll be stuck.”
Why on earth would you think about leaving the USA right now? It’s not safe.
“I’m a 20-something year old woman getting ready to go to Europe for my first trip outside the USA. I’m traveling with a friend and we’re both nervous about our safety.”
First off, every person has a different safety tolerance. It’s up to each of us to figure out what we are and what we are not comfortable with, and to plan accordingly. Personally, I’m still traveling and still booking trips for the foreseeable future… work trips are booking out into 2028 right now, in fact. My comfort zone—for me personally—really hasn’t changed much with recent world events. If there’s a valid work reason for me to be somewhere and I can assure I have at least a couple “outs” if I need it (always something I do), then I’m going.
That doesn’t mean I’m not checking my flights a little more often than normal (especially in-country third-world carriers whose often already-unreliable schedules are in more flux than normal) or that I’m not adding a few safety measures for myself beyond those main, secondary, and tertiary ways home. For me, personally, those are steps that ensure I can sleep well at night and focus on the work while I’m traveling.
Current events aside, there are several other things I do every trip to ensure I can get that sleep at night. I’m typically a female traveling alone carrying a bunch of camera and fishing gear… read: an ostensibly soft target. Here are a couple things I do to ensure I’m a little bit harder target. These aren’t tips that will work for everyone, but maybe you’ll find something in the list that’s helpful to you. They’ve sure come in handy for me a few times.
I always keep a carabiner on my bag, one that can slip very comfortably over my knuckles. One on my YETI Panga backpack I travel with, one on my gym bag at home, and one on my purse. This is something I’ve done for more than 15 years now, and I smiled when this GBRS video with DJ Shipley showed up in my feed last summer. DJ explains the “why” behind this easy add-on very well, and I’ve never had airport security give me a hard time because of a carabiner. And yes, it’s come in handy for non-traditional carabiner uses.
Along those same lines, I always carry a heavy padlock on a webbing strap (I pirated the strap off an old backpack). I don’t care what the luggage weight limit is at my destination, that heavy old padlock goes with me and is always within arm’s reach when I’m sleeping. Because when someone comes through the hotel room door in the middle of the night, I can reach for that strap and it’s a pretty solid swinging weapon. (You don’t want to take a padlock to the face with force behind it.) Same deal: if I’m in a non-permissive country, both these items stay close to me. Big thanks to LEO friends (you know who you are) for this concept.
This one’s more mainstream: I carry a dummy wallet. It’s simple, with a few expired credit cards and gift cards and a few small bills of USD and local currency. Nothing I’ll really miss. If I get stopped or held up, that’s the one they get. Most robbers aren’t going to stop and take the time to rifle through your wallet—they’re just going to take it and run. I can keep my real one hidden away and (with a bit of show of regret) can part with this one and never miss it.
I keep color copies of my passport in all my bags (carry-on and checked, though the copies are hidden in the checked bags), in the cloud, and with a trusted friend. I ensure that, if I have my passport on me, it’s buried deep and never leaves my line of sight. Same goes for visas or any irreplaceable paperwork.
A pretty solid medical kit always comes with me. Most of my travel is second and third world, and often in remote or austere environments. I bring the basics plus a bit more (tourniquets and suture kit, always!) and have the training to use the kit (see also, tourniquets at suture kit). If you want a deeper look at my medical kit and why I carry what I do, I broke it down in the post below:
Weekly Round-Up: Med Kits, Hot-Weather Tips, and More
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I was due to be Belize this week on a client shoot, but thanks to complications with a spinal injury, I’m grounded in Missoula for a while longer. (Very, very thankful for understanding clients who want to reschedule whenever I’m able to travel!) So I’ve been using the time to get some writing work done, work though a few web updates, and do what physic…
Above all, don’t be an easy target. No dar papaya, remember? Avoid having your cell phone in your hand or in a back pocket while walking down the street. (You can navigate a few blocks in a new town without your phone, I promise you. People used to do it all the time.) Don’t leave your phone or wallet sitting on the edge of the table while you eat. Keep your head up and stay aware of your surroundings. Common sense, all of it, and tactics I use whether I’m getting into my car to drive to the gym in Missoula at 0430 or I’m walking down the streets of Manaus looking for the local grocery store. Basically, use your head.
Yeah, the world is a wee bit chaotic right now. But don’t let that stop you from continuing to explore. As has been true in every era: Be smart. Keep your wits. And keep moving.
Upcoming Hosted Trips
2026 and 2027 trips are nearly fully booked, save for two rods for Kendjam in August 2027.
I’ll be announcing a handful of 2028 trips later this year; these hosted trips will continue to run on a very limited basis. Jump on ‘em when you see one that intrigues you!
Bolivia Heli-Fishing (Trophy Golden Dorado): June 27-July 4, 2026
SOLD OUT - WAITLIST AVAILABLE
Fish Partner’s Highlands Lodge, Iceland: June 26 - July 1, 2027 (Week 1) and
July 1 - July 7, 2027 (Week 2). Both weeks sold out, waitlist available.Kendjam Lodge, Brazil: August 28 - September 4, 2027
Multi-species, dry fly jungle fishing. More info below.Rio Marié Headwaters Camp: September 5-12, 2027
SOLD OUT - WAITLIST AVAILABLENEW: Alabama Coast Saltwater Fly Fishing
August 7-12, 2028, $5,800 per angler
Read more HERE
2027: Kendjam Lodge
Dry fly fishing for a variety of jungle species on Kayapo Lands.
I spent two weeks at this fantastic jungle fishery this last September, and will be visiting again before heading right to the Rio Marié Headwaters Camp afterward.
This is a wonderful dry fly, streamer, and nymph fishery (five and six-weight rods!) in a classic jungle setting. Expect diverse, fun fishing from both boats and walk/wade, an immersion into the indigenous Kayapo culture, excellent food, and comfy lodging.
Get more info in this PDF. Only TWO spots remaining.
August 28 - September 4, 2027
$7,950 / person, shared room and guide + $740 native fee
6 full days fishing / 7 nights at Kendjam Lodge
2028: Alabama Coast Saltwater
Gulf Coast charm and some fine, fun fishing.
Join me on a curated trip to the little sliver of Alabama coastline that’s home to great fishing for redfish, speckled trout, drum, and more. I’ve put together a small hosted trip for August 2028, and only have two spots remaining. If you’re looking for a fun fishing escape with a relaxed vibe, no international travel, and a small group, this is one to eyeball.
Read more information here. Only TWO spots remaining.
August 7-12, 2028
$5,800 per angler, shared room and guide
4 full days fishing, 5 nights
Want to learn more about any of these trips?
Send me a DM on social media or shoot over an email.
Q&A
Keep on sending in your questions via Instagram or by commenting by clicking the button below. Each week I’ll pick one and give a longer, more thought-out answer here than those I give on Instagram.
This week’s question came in via Instagram.
Q: How do you keep from getting sick eating weird food all over the world?
A: Over years I think my stomach flora has evolved; luckily I tend to do all right with some basic precautions. (There’s been a lot of weird food in a lot of strange global corners over the years!) I try to ensure any fresh fruit I eat has been peeled if I’m in an area where food safety is a big concern. Bananas are great. Apples, pears, and stonefruit I try to peel if I can. If I can’t I don’s sweat it. Ensure meat which may be suspect is cooked very well. Embrace cultured dairy; it’s great for your stomach and most countries utilize it much better than we do here in the U.S.. Drink bottled water if you’re in an area with suspect water supply, and in those places don’t use ice in your drinks unless you know it comes from safe water.
Above all, try not to worry about it. I travel with meds in case I do eat some bad food, but (knock on wood) it hasn’t been an issue in a long while. (Ironically, the last few times I’ve gotten food poisoning was here in the US.) Eat the local food—and eat where the locals eat. They know how to avoid the not-fresh tourist fare and where to get the good, safe, authentic cuisine.
Recently Published
“Class In Session”—a feature story and photo essay about the Native Guide School at Rio Marie—just ran in the latest issue of The Fly Fish Journal.
Pick up the latest copy of Hook & Barrel Magazine for a feature article and images about my time at Kendjam Lodge last September… a proper jungle adventure.
The annual Fly Fishing Issue of The Big Sky Journal just dropped, and inside you can spot a couple familiar images of both grayling and aerial Idaho river scenes.
H20 Magazine featured a piece (and a cover photo!) about backcountry fishing for Yellowstone cutthroat in Montana in the latest U.S. edition of the magazine.
Grab the most recent issue of Fly Fisherman Magazine to read the story of Chip and Skylar Lamont, who are building a fly-fishing lodge in remote Alaska.
Australia and New Zealand’s FlyLife Magazine just ran a print feature on Iceland and (surprise!) a cover photo as well.
Pick up the latest issue of Shallow Water Sportsman to read Notes From the Vineyard, an ode to overnight striper tournaments on Martha’s Vineyard.
Shouting at the Sky, a story about Kayapo life in the Brazilian Amazon, just ran on Field Ethos.
Mooning Helio Pilots in the Alaskan Bush. Only Field Ethos would run an article with that title… and every word of it is true.
H20 Magazine just ran a feature on Estancia Laguna Verde in their most recent Italian edition.
Read A Week of Learning Life Skills From Fishing Guides, a story about Argentina’s SET Spring Creek Lodge, in the latest In The Loop Magazine.
The Beckbe Journal just published this piece about weird yet utterly memorable moments in the Darien: Darien Dance Parties.
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