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Get out of dodge the right way
Published
10 years agoon
Tips for traveling anglers this winter
By Patrick Straub Explore Big Sky Fishing Columnist
The holiday circus hustle is over. New Year’s has come and gone. Snow has been around for nearly 90 days. It’s time to take a trip.
And that’s just what many of us do this time of year – get out of Montana in search of warmer waters and new angling adventures. I did just that, spending the second week of January chasing steelhead on the forested rivers of the Oregon coast.
During this trip I partook of my own medicine – when on a fishing vacation, be on a fishing vacation. I shunned responsibility and better judgment to pursue fish, something we should do more often. Here are some other useful tips and tricks to get the most from your angling travel experience.
Ship it before you go. If you’re flying to a destination and it’s possible to ship your gear before you fly, do it. Given high baggage fees and increasingly unreliable airline baggage services, shipping your gear saves you hassle and worry.
Rent it. Most shops and lodges offer rod rentals. If you only need a 9-weight for one week, rent it rather than buy. The money you save will buy you an extra day with your guide.
Plan your road trip. If you’re taking a road trip, do it so you never backtrack. Plan your fishing to be in a loop so you save gas money and time.
Call before you go. Just before your trip, call ahead and speak with your guide, the lodge, or a local shop. Their first-hand knowledge may help with any last-minute planning. You can always check things on the Internet, but locally sourced knowledge can’t be beat.
Pack little cotton towels. These are great for wiping down gear at the end of the day, or wiping up excess bug dope or sunscreen so you don’t get that goop on your fly line. A few years back, on a trip to a remote island in the Bahamas, my cotton hand towels were lifesavers, keeping the salt mist off my glasses and gear.
Keep local fisheries healthy. The spread of invasive aquatic species can be an area fishery’s death sentence. Do your part by inspecting, washing and drying your gear before and after a trip.
Apply sunscreen right after you shower. When heading out for the day, put sunscreen on just after you towel off from your morning shower. You don’t have to waste time applying sunscreen at the boat ramp, and the sunscreen has a better effect.
Attitude is everything. Your fifth grade teacher had one thing right: a positive attitude goes a long way. The same is true for a great fishing trip. Fishing travel is rife with variables. Flight schedules, weather, guides, logistics in remote places, and more can all affect a trip. Your attitude in taking curveballs is paramount to a successful trip.
Most importantly, be honest with yourself about your ability. Don’t spend thousands of dollars traveling across the globe if your 30-foot cast won’t cut it on the gin-clear streams of New Zealand. An honest look at your own skill level is the first step in deciding where to travel and what species to pursue.
If you’ve always wanted to catch a bonefish but can’t cast 40 feet and further on a consistent basis, you should practice more before investing in this trip. And if you aren’t a strong wader, perhaps a steelhead trip isn’t a good idea. Before you make any trip, research the necessary skills and be honest in your assessment of those skills.
As I write this, some good friends are planning a trip to Belize – those lucky dudes. When they return in a few weeks, two more fishing pals are headed to Christmas Island. Even though I just returned from a trip, I’m jealous I’m not going on another.
But my time is coming. In March, I head to the Florida Keys to fish in an invite-only permit tournament. Permit are elusive, an extremely rare catch on a fly, but I’ll spend time practicing and travel with the right attitude. I had better because even though I have the best job in the world, it still feels good to leave it on occasion.
Pat Straub is the author of six books, including The Frugal Fly Fisher, Montana On The Fly, and Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Fly Fishing. He and his wife own Gallatin River Guides in Big Sky.
Megan Paulson is the Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of Outlaw Partners.
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My Barking Dog is a nightmare comedy
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My Barking Dog is a nightmare comedy that tells the story of Toby and Melinda, two lonely people whose lives are forever changed the night they encounter a starving coyote at their apartment building. Over time they grow to expect him, leaving ritual offerings to entice the coyote every night. Toby and Melinda forge a connection over this visitor and share curiosity and concern about his presence in the city. The coyote expands their world–until, one night, their world is shattered. Their lives are pushed suddenly into uncharted territory, sending them on a surreal odyssey that changes their city–and the world–forever.
Directed by LX Miller. Starring Max Schneider and Denise Hergett
Verge Theater is continuing their mission to provide accessible theater to our community. Tickets for My Barking Dog are Pay What You Wish with a suggested price of $35. Audience members are offered the opportunity to select the price point that is comfortable for them when purchasing tickets.
My Barking Dog runs March 15-17, 22-24, 28-30
Performances on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays begin at 7:00 p.m., with Sunday matinees offered at 3:00 p.m.
Suitable for ages 16 . No animals are harmed in the staging of this production.
Tickets are available online at www.vergetheater.com
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Saturday, March 23rd 6:00-8:00pm We will combine the heart-opening powers of cacao with the transcendental powers of breathwork and sound. Together, these practices will give us the opportunity for a deep
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Saturday, March 23rd 6:00-8:00pm
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March 23 (Saturday) 6:00 pm - April 23 (Tuesday) 8:00 pm
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Santosha Wellness Center
169 Snowy Mountain Circle
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Thursday of the Lord’s Supper Mass St. Joseph Catholic Mission
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Thursday of the Lord’s Supper Mass
St. Joseph Catholic Mission
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