The old saying “whatever can go wrong, will go wrong” is especially true in fishing trips. Since COVID there has been an influx of new anglers to the sport and also a renewed eagerness to get out and fish. Guides are busier than ever, motels, hotels and lodges are booked months, if not years in advance. Being a good Boy scout and being prepared can save you time, money, and aggravation. Just because you have “always stayed there and never had a problem getting a room” doesn’t mean this will the case the next time you go. Always research new fishing destinations for not only the usual things but also any special regulations or requirements that may be out of the ordinary.
One example of researching that helped my group on a trip to the Green River in Utah was that we found out that you are required to wear your life jacket while floating the river below the Flaming Gorge dam. Now of course we always have life jackets in our boat but not the kind that are comfortable to wear and fish in all day. We switched out the bulkier universal fit jackets for more streamlined kayak lifejackets. These were much more accommodating and made the days on the river much more enjoyable.
