When it comes to angling and air travel, the world truly has become a global village. Or more precise, a global fishing camp. A good day’s flying can get you to most any fishing hole on earth, which is why mid-winter getaways to exotic places like Mexico’s Ascension Bay, Cuba’s Jardines del Rey, Andros Island in the Bahamas or New Zealand’s South Island can so tempting.
But taking your rods, reels and waders with you on an aircraft comes with challenges. When your final destination is a remote fishing lodge lost luggage doesn’t necessarily catch up with you. One way to avoid the oversize luggage black hole – which swallows up rods cases and golf clubs by the thousands every winter vacation period – is to re-gear for success.
Flyrods that break down into four or even six pieces can fit at the bottom of regular check-in luggage. Some travel duffels come with a separate lower compartment where rods, waders, boots and vests can be stored together for flights to exotic angling destinations. Also source an ample supply of leaders, tippet material, flies, floatant, etc., at home after doing your homework. Most lodges these days have a website with equipment recommendations and almost all have e-mail.
You may end up using guide flies anyway but it sometimes pays off to have some back up because replacement equipment is not necessarily obtainable in remote locations.
Do the legwork and be aware of the local rules where equipment is concerned. Many jurisdictions have felt-soled wader bans, barbed hook requirements and other biosecurity issues.
If you are travelling over several time zones forget about the in-flight movie and get plenty of sleep so you’re ready to hit the creek running once you arrive. A mild sedative like a Nyquil can help get the job done and assure you’re refreshed when you come out the other side.
Be aware of luggage weight. Angling equipment tends to be heavier than regular vacation clothing and those overweight penalties add up. Fun-in-the-sun destinations tend to have one prohibiting factor for vacationing anglers – the sun.
A high factor sun block, a brimmed hat with ear and neck protection, long-sleeved shirts and pants with a good UV rating and polarized sunglasses are recommended. Don’t let a severe sunburn keep you off the water when the bonefish are running.
In a salt water situation wash your rod and especially your reel thoroughly every afternoon after getting off the flats in fresh water. A seized-up reel is not a pretty sight.