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 wondrous 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 how varied and global fly fishing could be 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.