Weekly Round-Up: You Booked a Destination Trip… Now What?
Whether you're traveling around the world or to the next county, let's run though a couple thoughts that might make fishing travel a bit better.
As we continue into the cold months (for my Northern Hemisphere crew, at least), many of us are looking for a warm(er)-weather escape. I know I, for one, am counting down the days until I board the flight for Buenos Aires in January. I’ve been having pre-trip calls with those joining these hosted trips, and we all share the same sentiment: Christmas will be fun, yeah, but let’s get on to the trip.
There’s just something exciting about destination travel. Even after 15 years of traveling for work as a photographer / writer, I still get a little giddy each time I board the plane. It’s the lure of the unknown, maybe; of turning ourselves over to whatever unforeseen adventures will happen at our destination. Now, luckily, I’ve got guide friends at many of the places I visit, and so it’s an alluring combination of new adventure and a bit of familiarity.
Everyone was a new traveler at some point. And the first few times, it can be as intimidating as hell. I remember early in my career I’d wake up multiple times every night before a big job, thinking of something I’d forgotten or needed to do, and jot it in a notebook beside my bed before fitfully trying to fall asleep again. Travel can be a lot. Fishing travel, perhaps doubly so. There are a lot of moving parts; a lot of logistics that most travelers don’t deal with.
Whether you’re heading out on your first trip or your fiftieth, I’ve compiled a few tips below that might help put your mind at rest. This article ran in a different template a few months ago, and since so many of you had questions, thoughts, and messaged about it (which is awesome—keep ‘em coming), and since we’ve gained a lot of new readers here, we’re revisiting:
You Booked a Destination Fishing Trip… So Now What?
A couple tips to help you make the most of your travels, and your time on the water.
As a general rule, anglers are passionate folks. Often our identity rolls right up into our passion for fishing… it becomes a core part of our being. But I’ve found that passion often doesn’t correlate directly into a willingness to put into the work. Spending a fair bit of time working and shooting at some of the worlds best lodges over the past years, I’ve been curious to see a lot of people showing up to their “trip of a lifetime” with no idea of what lies ahead.
There’s something to be said for the unexpected. But it also pays to do a little bit of research before hopping on a plane and flying to another country to fish (or to do anything, really). And I’d argue that if you’re spending a good bit of change on a trip, taking up a guide’s time, and just generally want to have a decent time on the water, a bit of preparation is going to help.
I’ll preface this piece with the fact that I did not grow up traveling the world to fish (or do anything else). I’m a Montana trout girl, who grew up chasing trout and grayling in the waters of the West. My first time leaving the U.S. was to go to Calgary for a horse show, and then moving to southern Sweden at 17 to work in the equestrian industry (it’s a very long story). Strictly due to photography work and the places it takes me, I’ve been able to fish unique freshwater and saltwater around the world as an adult, and am immensely grateful for it. For the past decade and a half, I’ve taken notes, learned from guides, and spent many long hours casting in Montana parks trying to perfect my double-haul. And like all good things in life, learning different fishing styles and tactics is well worth the effort.
So here are five quick tips to keep in mind if you’re heading to fish a new destination for the first time:
Log Some Casting Practice
At least have an acquaintance with the double haul. It’s okay if you can’t do it well, but watch a few videos online, play with it, and understand the benefits of increased line speed and control. Lay a few hula-hoops at 30, 40, and 50 feet and practice casting into them, so you’ll have an idea of distance when your guide tells you, “Ten o’clock, 50 feet!” and the boat’s in chaos. If you’re crushing that drill, string in hula-hoop vertically from a tree, and practice shooting line forward through the hoop. The more you can compress your loop, the better control you’ll have.
Understand Gear For the Destination
Not all saltwater fisheries are the same, just as all trout fisheries are a little different. Know what gear is requisite for the place you’re going to fish. Get a packing list from the lodge or outfitter. Talk with friends who have been to the destination, or to a place which is similar. Crawl the internet for ideas, and invest in stocking your fly boxes so you have options once you’re on the ground—fishery conditions are forever changing. Come prepared with terminal tackle (leaders, tippet, etc.) as well… do your research into the location’s fishery. Will you need wire? Maybe. Will you need 80-lb. mono? Possibly. Lodges and booking agencies should supply you with a packing list including suggested tackle, and if you’re on a DIY trip, research online. You’ll likely find some ideas. The same holds for your personal kit. Layers—always pack various layers—of clothing.
Educate Yourself on the Fishery
Come prepared with at least a basic knowledge of the fishery. There are very few locations these days where you can’t find information online about the fishery and the location... and when I’ve gone on a few exploratory trips with no information online, I’ve still been able to research other waters in the region. Know if there are crocodiles around. Are blacktop sharks an annoyance, or an actual problem? What are the tides like? What kind of weather patterns can you expect, and what will the wading conditions be like? An hour of research can help you understand what you’re getting yourself into.
Take Care of Yourself on the Water
This seems to be a sticking point for a lot of anglers I’ve seen over the years. It’s easy to geek out over your gear, obsess over the fishing, and then forget that your physical ability is a key part of that equation. Tip number one? Hydrate, especially if you’re in a hot climate. Drink a ton of water on the boat. I get through at least one packet of electrolytes on the boat, along with a lot of plain water. I also limit myself to two boat beers a day… it’s too easy to become dehydrated otherwise, and I’d rather be on my top fishing and/or photography game. (There’s always the bar once you’re off the boat, if that’s your cup of tea.)
I love bringing along a few caffeinated electrolyte tabs or gummies and sticking them in the cooler. Especially in the tropics, once it hits midday it tends to be hot and miserable outside, and they’re very welcome hard, frozen little bursts of caffeine and salt. Cover up skin with either clothing or sunscreen, and reapply the latter often. (Especially on the triangle of skin between your thumb, pointer finger, and wrist. That somehow always gets burned.)
If you’re in a cold climate, bring more layers than you think you’ll need, and an extra layer to keep in your bag or truck in case you get wet. Pack snacks—a little nibble can be a moral-saver when you’re frigid—and keep an eye out for when cold becomes too cold and you need to take a break.
Be a Smart Traveler
Common sense seems to be very uncommon these days. Practice basic security measures. Keep only the minimal amount of cash in your wallet, and have at least one backup stash spread throughout your bags in unexpected places. (It’s a good idea to keep a backup credit card in one of these places as well.) Keep both hard and digital copies of all your travel paperwork—passport, visas, booking information, health information, etc. Don’t drink unbottled water unless you’re absolutely certain it’s safe (in some countries it’s common to fill bottles with tap water and reseal them; this is harder to do with sparkling water, which can make that a safer alternative if you’re concerned). Carry a decent medical kit with you; even if you’re in a country where you think you can buy first-aid supplies if needed, what happens if the store is closed? Be prepared to take care of yourself and others. I walked y’all through my med kit in this post a few months ago.
Bonus Tip: Don’t Be That Guy
By its very nature, fishing is a hit-or-miss activity. When everyone gathers at the bar at the end of the day, the guy next to you might have landed a Grand Slam, where you hardly saw anything other than a single school of bonefish. It doesn’t mean you had a bad guide. It doesn’t necessarily mean the other guy is a better angler. Some days it’s just not your day, no mater how much work you put into it. Fish will be fish. Don’t get pissed off about it. Don’t blame your guide because you “Didn’t see fish.” (Chances are the fish were there, and your guide saw them, but knew you couldn’t cast that far. At the end of the day, the guide can put an angler into fish, but the responsibility of catching falls to the angler’s skill. (Hence Tip #1 being at the top of this list.)
This is all common-sense stuff… just use your head. Most of all, enjoy the trip, and be willing and ready to learn from your guides (to this day, I still carry a little notebook and jot down casting tips or learnings every day I’m on the water). Fishing and travel on their own are two very good things, and when combined, they’re one of the very best things about life. Go forth and enjoy!
Upcoming Hosted Trips
About to Close: Argentina 2025
About to close up availability for this late January / early February Argentina trip! I still have a few spots open on this combined itinerary which offers a full week of fishing at Estancia Laguna Verde from January 25 - February 1, and then five nights on the Golden Dorado River Cruiser from February 2 - 7th, 2025.
January 25 - February 1, 2025
Estancia Laguna Verde, Lago Strobel, Argentina
$7,500 (7 nights / 6.5 days fishing)
Private room / shared guide
February 2 - 7, 2025 (ONLY ONE SPOT REMAINING)
Golden Dorado River Cruiser, Paraná River, Argentina
$4,200 (5 nights / 4.5 days fishing)
Shared room and guide
The prices include lodging, guides, and food at both locations. Want to learn more? Send me a DM on social media or an email, or peek at this PDF for more details.
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: My camera batteries keep draining really quickly when I am shooting in the winter and it’s cold. How can I stop this?
A: Great question. First off, kudos for getting out there and shooting even when it’s cold. Frigid temps do tend to drain batteries quickly; I always keep a spare set somewhere under my layers where body heat can help them hold on to some charge. That might be on an inner pocket of your jacket, underneath your exterior layer. Ensuring that spare set of batteries stays warm will give you a backup to switch to when your in-camera batteries conk out.
Recently Published
I haven’t seen the print issue yet, but Hook & Barrel has a gorgeous feature about fishing for large rainbow trout at Argentina’s Estancia Laguna Verde in their latest issue. I got a sneak peek at the layout, and am excited to see the final!
Pick up the latest issue of American Fly Fishing and peek at the cover. I shot this image of friend Jackie Jordan on the Battenkill River in Vermont nearly ten years ago. Peek inside the issue for a photo feature on New England fly fishing (and some unexpected adventures you can find in the region’s waters).
Read the latest issue of Fly Fisherman magazine for an article and images on the Golden Dorado River Cruiser, as well as a series of images from Colombia’s Darien Lodge accompanying an article from fly-angling great Jeff Currier.
Photography on the Water: Help Your Buddy Nail the Hero Shot ran on Epic Fly Rod’s blog this past week.
In Mind the Gap: Fly Fishing the Darién Gap for InsideHook, I talked about the realities of pelagic and inshore fly fishing off Colombia’s northwest coast in the famed Darién Gap.
Hopping cargo planes filled with concrete and beer in order to go fishing? Sounds like an Australian thing. Read Concrete, Beer, and the American in The Tom Beckbe Field Journal.
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