Travelling to fly fish? Follow these expert tips on packing, preparation and flying with your gear

For many years I had a complaint about fly fishing in Canada: winter. Despite our world-beating fisheries, there’s a noticeable stretch when using the long rod falls somewhere between impossible and seriously unpleasant. But these days, I see that as a feature, not a bug, since it’s a great excuse to travel, especially to somewhere sunny.Experiencing new water and new ecosystems, learning new tactics and making new cultural connections with other fly anglers is a mind-opening experience. I didn’t truly understand the varied and global nature of fly fishing until I got on the water in faraway places. I also quickly learned that if you’re not prepared, fly fishing in unfamiliar climes can be deeply humbling. If you’re hitting the road—or, more likely, the airport—with your fly rod, here are some tips for success…

For even more tips on fishing exotic waters, see www.outdoorcanada.ca/flyfishingtravel.

BEFORE YOU LEAVE

Given our near-universal love of gear, most of us fly anglers eagerly research the recommended rods, reels, lines and flies for a new destination. What’s easy to overlook are any skills you might also need, especially around casting. Some years ago, I learned this the hard way. On my first morning in the Florida Keys, the guide spotted a big permit—an elusive, spooky and highly prized fish—and handed me his 10-weight outfit. I’d never been on a saltwater flat, hadn’t cast a fly rod in eight months, and I’d never even seen a 10-weight. I still cringe at the result. If you’ll be fishing with heavier-than-usual gear or anticipate challenging casts, make sure you’re ready. Tune up ahead of time, and consider a few casting lessons, including learning how to double haul. This is intermediate casting technique helps you make crisper casts with less effort, and it’ll help at home as well.