Like it or not, it is that time of the year again. As the last of the golden leaves in the high country fall from aspens, many Colorado anglers are drying out their waders for the last time this season. Thoughts of standing on snow-covered rocks in icy rivers begin drifting toward visions of warm sands, distant lands, umbrella drinks and exotic species.
Whether it is big bonefish in the Bahamas, giant fresh water dorado in Argentina, sea-run Chilean browns or monster migratory tarpon in the Caribbean, the pinching of our trout season marks the opening of another. Four-piece rods and short tubes that fit in overhead bins are made for a reason — travel season is just starting to heat up.
Most international destination fishing adventures fall into two basic categories: all-inclusive guided trips or do-it-yourself excursions. The recipes vary, but the end product is usually the same — a stranger in a strange land with a strange fish at the end of a tight line. That is of course, if you put it all together and everything goes right.
Visiting a lodge or taking a guided trip will almost always lead to a more productive experience for the angler who is new to the location; we pay for the comfort and tolerate a certain amount of babysitting, whether or note we need it.
On the other hand, a do-it-yourself trip can prove more satisfying, even if the size and numbers are not as great. If you’re venturing into a foreign country and have time to do the research, a solo trip into unchartered waters can be the most rewarding experience. Amid the current economic crunch, a self-guided trip also can prove considerably more economical.
Research is key when taking on a new fishery by oneself. How is the access in and around your destination? Can you really fish by yourself, or do you need a boat? What about gear? If you bust your favorite rod on a big tarpon, are there any options for getting another rod for the rest of your stay? What about a backup for your backup? Do you know how to tie a shock leader? Is there a spool of wire bite tippet in your box? Can you buy flies or lures from the locals, or should you just plan to bring down extra boxes of your own?
The real trick is to figure out where to get these answers before heading out into the great unknown. This is where things can get interesting — and fun. I have found that planning a trip and the anticipation that goes along with it is almost as exciting as getting on the plane or stepping into the flats. Well, almost.
The place to start is the local shop where you are traveling — providing there is one. Failing that, turn to a shop near home. There’s an excellent chance you’ll find some angling peripatetic who either has been to your location or knows someone who has. I’ve rarely found anyone who has a passion for travel and fishing unwilling to share some pointers for a first timer.
Old fishing magazines are another great resource — provided your significant other has not sent them off to that great recycling bin in the sky. Most contain great travel pieces that provide a lot of key nuts-and-bolts information about exotic locations. You might not be getting an up-to-the-minute readout, but there surely are some great basic pointers you can start with. If you don’t have a stack of past issues tucked away, you should start right now. You never know where you will come across a morsel of information that will make the difference between catching fish and disappointment.
The Internet is yet another great place to do research and perhaps one of the timeliest sources of data. Tide charts, moon phases, basic flies and lures and other great information are typically just a Google search away. You can often find recent postings or fishing reports from travelers who have recently been down or around your target destination. If you can hook up with a fishing geek who is so pumped on his trip that he actually took the time to post information on the web, you’ve just hit the Encyclopedia Britannica of pretrip research.
This species of fisherman is really invaluable and typically demonstrates the following traits: He or she is a fanatic, experienced, outgoing and knowledgeable. You may actually find yourself wanting to purchase this guy or gal a nice bottle of wine to show undying gratitude and appreciation.
The questions are the easy part. Finding those right answers from a credible source is the challenge. It’s just like putting together the pieces to an intricate puzzle, only with the added test of finding certain important pieces that didn’t come in the box. The more work you put into your trip on the front end the more you’ll get out of it — and figuring it out can be half of the fun.
Will Rice is a freelance writer and angler who lives in Denver. Questions or comments can be sent to williamhrice72@yahoo.com.
