I’m back from a week of trout fishing in the interior of British Columbia for what most likely will be the last trout trip of the season. The weather was so-so but the fishing was good. I’m sworn to secrecy regarding the lakes location but there were plenty of rainbows landed in the five-eight pound range. I’m now fully committed to directing all of my energies to upcoming tropical saltwater trips. As of now destinations include, Abaco, Acklins, Exuma, Bonaire, Los Roques and Florida. There are a couple of “surprises” yet to be confirmed, but I’m hopeful I can fit them in this winter. Over the years I have developed an extensive packing list for trips, so I seldom forget anything or worry about what to pack. I pull out the list and check off the boxes as I pack. I was reading the Field & Stream blog Fly Talk written by my friend Kirk Deeter on the subject of Packing To Fish. He nailed it but thought I would add a couple of things related to saltwater destinations. Kirk travels even more than I do (my wife thinks that’s impossible) so read what he has to say about packing, he is the expert. For my part, let me focus on travel to the tropics, Bahamas, Turks, Cuba, Venezuela, Mexico, Belize and other international destinations. My starting position is “what happens if none of my gear makes it?” Now don’t laugh, I have lots of travel stories, one of which involves spending ten days fishing in Xcalak, Mexico with nothing but a pair of shorts and a tee-shirt purchased in Akumal. No clothes, no fishing gear. It will cost you two beers to hear how that ended up. That question helps you to clarify the most important tip in packing for international travel………”What do I carry on the plane?” The short answer is, As Much As You Can. As Kirk said rods, reels and lines are a crap shoot. There is no consistency on what you can and cannot carry on. Call the airlines in advance and, then keep your fingers crossed that what the person says on the phone is what the airline and TSA allow you to do. For tropical destinations always carry on what you need to protect you from the sun along with all prescriptions. Prescriptions are self-explanatory but tropical protection may not be. I wear on the plane a long sleeve tropical shirt and a pair of quick dry pants. In my carry-on I include a small tube of sunscreen (needs to meet TSA regs), hat, buff, sun gloves, sunglasses and I’m good to go. If you are fishing out of a guide boat, boots are not a big deal, but if you are walking the flats you need to pack your flats footwear. Not having the right footwear can ruin a trip. Travel weight is an issue and Kirk addresses the subject in his article. But a couple of things on meeting the airlines weight requirements. I used to pack twice as much as I need. Some might say that is my feminine side emerging but internally I thought I was protecting myself from every eventuality. After years of travel it appears that I don’t need 1,000 flies and eight fly boxes. I don’t require four fly rods, reels and extra spools and my “evening” wear can usually look a lot like my “day” wear. Forty-five to fifty pounds for a week’s trip is plenty. But just in case you can’t quit make it under the airlines designated limit, here is a tip. I have yet to find an airline that has weighed my carry-on luggage. Now that the light bulb has gone on that means make sure you have a reasonably large and flexible carry-on bag, spread everything out on the floor as you are packing and those items which are heavy and allowed through the gate go in the carry-on bag (flats boots, cameras, books, flashlight) and the light stuff goes in your luggage. There, now you can take that fourth rod!
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