Most anglers organize an extensive fly fishing trip to escape their busy everyday life, relax and unwind, and catch some fish while doing it. These trips are organized to have a good time, in the hope that very little, if anything, goes wrong. But without due attention to the critical details that come with planning a successful outing in the wild, a minor oversight can turn a fly fishing trip from one of the best days of your life to one of the most annoying. very quickly. What is one of the biggest mistakes anglers make before and during their fly fishing excursion? The mistake is often not doing everything possible to protect your fly fishing gear properly while traveling. Nothing puts a damper on a fly fishing trip faster than damaged and unusable equipment. By putting enough thought into getting your gear to and from your destination, you can minimize potential disasters and enjoy being on the water with your gear in pristine condition.
AIRPORT SECURITY CLEANUP
Most major airlines make it easy for anglers by classifying fly fishing equipment as checked baggage. In fact, almost all the major airlines see fly fishing equipment every day, so coming across yours shouldn’t come as a surprise. That being said, and especially if you are traveling with a smaller airline, it would be wise to contact an agent who can assure you of what the airline considers permissible and what is not. You want to avoid leaving valuable gear behind or finding out at the gate that what you have in your backpack is not allowed. Wild Water combos are ideal when you’re flying or traveling in compact spaces because your gear is secured in a secure tube.
It is also essential to consider what items go in your checked baggage versus what is stored in your carry-on baggage. To make it easier, think of it this way; TSA only cares about what’s inside your carry-on, while your airline only cares about the weight and size of your checked baggage. If you even have to wonder whether or not a TSA agent might find a dangerous item, it should go in your checked baggage. Items that come to mind to pack in your checked luggage are fishing line, pliers, knives, hooks, flies, etc. As for items easily considered safe and allowed as carry-on luggage, think vest, etc. These items are perfectly acceptable to accompany you on the plane as carry-on baggage. An obvious way to protect these items is to carry them in a Wild Water Rod Tube with Sport Storage Pockets; These are not only typically designed within airline weight and dimension parameters, but are also highly shock absorbent and can withstand whatever turbulence your flight may throw at it.
GETTING TO YOUR DESTINATION BY CAR
Most of the time, you’ll be driving to your fly fishing spot rather than flying in, which makes things easier since the TSA isn’t monitoring your vehicle, but deserves just as much consideration to protect your gear. Although anglers in the past simply loaded their fully loaded gear into the back of their truck and headed for their favorite tributary, over time, they realized how much damage their rod and reel could take during the trip if they were stowed away. that way. .
So many companies have come on the scene to give your gear a smoother and more protected ride. If you’re not renting a vehicle or if you often take your car out to fly fish, a fishing rod carrier like the Riversmith River Quiver is without a doubt the best form of protection for your rod and reel. Lightweight, easy to install, and designed to be aerodynamic and compatible with any vehicle, they’re also the most durable on the market and best able to withstand any bumps, winds, or impacts your car can throw at it.
If you already have your roof fitted with another roof rack, are renting a vehicle, or are still deciding whether to commit to a fishing rod rack, a rod case will do the trick. Many anglers prefer the fishing kits that come out from Wild Water, which include a rod case, reel bag, and side storage bag for all the small accessories you want to haul around. Wild Water Fishing Kits also make exceptional gifts for those new to fly fishing who need all the equipment at once.
YOU CAN ALWAYS GO OLD SCHOOL; THE DISASSEMBLY ROUTE
At the very least, if you don’t have a fly rod rack or rod case, disassemble your gear after use and before driving off into the sunset. Most anglers know how to disassemble their fly rods, but a quick refresher doesn’t hurt. Start with the obvious and break the bar down into the number of parts it’s made for. Then make sure you have some Velcro straps on hand or some sections of rope so you can attach the bar pieces together. Doing this ensures that they won’t move, rub, or slide as easily as they would if they were separated. Once properly tied, place the rod tip on the ground and raise the tip, so that it does not suffer any damage while riding. Go a step further and place a sock or microfiber towel around the tip to prevent potential damage. It’s also an excellent idea to Velcro or strap all disassembled equipment to the vehicle itself; This will not only further protect your bed, but it will protect your vehicle from inflicting any damage that an unsecured bed can cause during transport.
DON’T ACT LIKE A GREEN HORN: PROTECT YOUR EQUIPMENT!
These methods and tips may seem minor, but it’s surprising how often such simple measures are overlooked. Nothing gives an avid fisherman the chills like watching a comrade neglect his equipment. Protecting his equipment should be at the forefront of his mind, whether he’s flying or driving. Don’t act like a newbie; protect your equipment at all costs.
Much equipment on the market was designed and manufactured to protect your equipment; Invest wisely in your equipment and it will give you the experience you hope to get!
For more information on wild water fly fishing and its products, please contact Dena Vick, [email protected].
About Wild Water Fly Fishing
Wild Water Fly Fishing represents a dedication to bringing friends and family together by providing them with everything they will need to prepare for a trip to the lake. Whether you are a parent or grandparent wanting to nurture a child’s interest in fly fishing, Wild Water offers the best tools to make your fly fishing trip an unforgettable experience. Wild Water Fly Fishing is the only company that focuses exclusively on affordable and easy to use fly fishing starter packs for all species of fish.