How to Plan and Pack for International Fly-Fishing Travel

How to Plan and Pack for International Fly-Fishing Travel

Some dos and don’ts for international fly-fishing travel and some simple ways to make the experience as painless as possible.

The first golden rule: Pack your wading boots and at least one set of fishing clothes in your carry-on bag, plus all the medication you’ll need for the entire trip–all of which should go in a waterproof backpack (easy to carry, water impervious).

Spread the wealth: If you’re traveling with a friend, or partner, I’d also recommend that you “cross pack,” so some of your gear (clothes, reels, flies) gets stowed in their check-in bags and vice versa. No one wants to be the traveler whose bag gets lost, making the trip a lot more challenging…

Pack your gear in a single duffle: All the major fly-fishing gear brands make duffle bags long enough to pack your 9-foot fly rods conformably. To save weight, pack the rods, including a spare, into a cardboard tube that’s stiff enough to protect the cargo, but without the added weight of the steel tubes. If you’re heading to a remote location, back up fly rods, reels and lines are often essential.

Less is more: There’s no reason to pack all the fishing gear you own–bring just the basics and develop an eye towards simplicity. Your fishing destination will often dictate the clothes you pack (fancy lodges versus a “roughing it” adventure), but the golden rule is to prepare the clothes you want, then halve that amount.

Smiling wins the day: be friendly and a team player to the departure gate attendants. It’s often highly random, but some “overly officious” gate attendants may tell you that you can’t board with your fly rod or reel–it happens a lot. Keep your cool, work with them and try to explain the circumstances. You might even strike up a conversation beforehand, to build some good will.

Stay hydrated: bring a good water bottle on your travels and drink lots of water before, during and after your activities–flying, traveling and fishing can lead to high levels of dehydration. No one ever had a worse day on the river or saltwater flat by staying more hydrated…

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Felix Borenstein is a hotel and travel consultant, former owner of the Owen River Lodge, a world-class fly-fishing lodge near Murchison on the South Island of New Zealand, and a fly-fishing tragic (in his words). He’s also a new Flylab Pro and will be helping us with international travel and lodging insights.