Opinion
Eddy Line: International angling travel right now
Published
3 years agoon
Posted By
Outlaw PartnersNot your parent’s travel experience
By Patrick Straub EBS FISHING COLUMNIST
A few months ago, when the outlook for our late-summer stream flows and fishing conditions painted a bleak picture, I serendipitously got a call from a good friend of mine. He was inviting me to join him for a week of chasing tarpon and permit on some far-away saltwater flats.
In the past, high summer in our region meant consistent dry-fly fishing in clear and cold water. This year’s drought and anomalous lack of water in our rivers and streams, which was easy to forecast in late spring, meant my desire to chase fish might be better served elsewhere. I jumped at the opportunity to give myself and the fish a break from the smoke and the heat.
“The plan is to fish in late July and early August,” he told me. “Because that’s when the tarpon are thick and the moon is best for permit.”
The last time I boarded an airplane was March 7, 2020. I was returning from a fishing trip in South America and barely made it back before the world shut down. Over 500 days later, I headed for Belize to resume my international angling travel experience, one that has unsurprisingly changed immensely.
For those anglers itching to pack up their fishing stoke and take to new waters, here are some tips to manage what is likely to be the new normal for fishing in the far-off places in the world.
Plan early. When the pandemic shut down travel in 2020, most lodges, outfitters and guides throughout the world canceled trips. Most of these trips were pushed to 2021 or later, creating very limited availability at many destinations. Many destinations are already booked during their prime seasons, so if you’re thinking of an international trip, start planning early.
Be flexible. The pandemic is far from over. For several of the world’s top fishing destinations, their countries and local governments are still navigating the best approach to keep their citizens safe while striving to allow visitors. From changing entry restrictions to travel disruptions, be prepared to roll with some punches.
Get vaccinated. To be blunt: If you want to travel to fish internationally in the coming years, get the shot. Even as countries require negative tests for entry, many lodges and outfitters are still requiring visitors be vaccinated. Most fishing lodges are small, intimate operations and interactions with other guests from a variety of places is common. The science behind vaccines is accepted and being vaccinated reduces risk and gets us closer to ending this pandemic.
It is not always about you. No question you’ve earned the opportunity for a great fishing trip, but if you’re making the choice to travel to a remote destination to fish, look beyond the mirror and think about the impacts of your decision to travel and your actions once at your destination. The first step is getting vaccinated. The next step is respecting the rules and regulations at your destination. Lastly, be courteous and conscious to residents and staff. You may be getting away from the hustle and bustle of the rat race we’ve created here in the U.S., but practice respect and understanding when visiting a rural area so the residents and staff continue to welcome visitors.
Angling travel is still a moving target and will be for the years ahead. However, if you take a thoughtful approach to both planning and being a visitor, your trip and the trips of others are important first steps to get us all closer to what life was like prior to the world shutting down.
Patrick Straub has fished on five continents. He is the author of six books, including “Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Fly Fishing” and has been writing the Eddy Line for nine years. He was one of the largest outfitters in Montana, but these days he now only guides anglers who value quality over quantity.
The Outlaw Partners is a creative marketing, media and events company based in Big Sky, Montana.
Upcoming Events
april, 2024
Event Type :
All
All
Arts
Education
Music
Other
Sports
Event Details
Children turning 5 on or before 9/10/2024:
more
Event Details
Children turning 5 on or before
9/10/2024: Kindergarten
enrollment for the 2024-2025 school year can be completed by following the
registration process now.
Children
born on or after September 11, 2019: 4K enrollment is now open for
families that have a 4-year-old they would like to enroll in our program for
the 2023-2024 school year. Please complete the 4K Interest Form to
express your interest. Completing this form does not guarantee enrollment into
the 4K program. Enrollment is capped at twenty 4-year-olds currently
residing within Big Sky School District boundary full time and will be
determined by birth date in calendar order of those born on or after September
11, 2018. Interest form closes on May 30th.
Enrollment now is critical for fall preparations. Thank you!
Time
February 26 (Monday) - April 21 (Sunday)
Event Details
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
more
Event Details
Saturday, March 23rd 6:00-8:00pm
Time
March 23 (Saturday) 6:00 pm - April 23 (Tuesday) 8:00 pm
Location
Santosha Wellness Center
169 Snowy Mountain Circle
Event Details
We all are familiar with using a limited palette, but do you use one? Do you know how to use a
more
Event Details
We all are familiar with using a limited palette, but do you use one? Do you know how to use a limited palette to create different color combinations? Are you tired of carrying around 15-20 different tubes when you paint plein air? Have you ever wanted to create a certain “mood” in a painting but failed? Do you create a lot of mud? Do you struggle to achieve color harmony? All these problems are addressed in John’s workbook in clear and concise language!
Based on the bestselling “Limited Palatte, Unlimited Color” workbook written by John Pototschnik, the workshop is run by Maggie Shane and Annie McCoy, accomplished landscape (acrylic) and plein air (oil) artists,exhibitors at the Big Sky Artists’ Studio & Gallery and members of the Big Sky Artists Collective.
Each student will receive a copy of “Limited Palette, Unlimited Color” to keep and take home to continue your limited palette journey. We will show you how to use the color wheel and mix your own clean mixtures to successfully create a mood for your paintings.
Each day, we will create a different limited palette color chart and paint a version of a simple landscape using John’s directives. You will then be able to go home and paint more schemes using the book for guidance.
Workshop is open to painters (oil or acrylic) of any level although students must have some basic knowledge of the medium he or she uses. Students will be provided the book ($92 value), color wheel, value scale and canvas papers to complete the daily exercises.
Sundays, April 14, 21 and 28, 2024
Noon until 6PM.
$170.
Time
14 (Sunday) 12:00 pm - 28 (Sunday) 6:00 pm
Event Details
Come join us at Cowboy Coffee as we celebrate a fun night of drinks, games, and meeting others within the community. This event is from 6-8 and all are welcome
Event Details
Come join us at Cowboy Coffee as we celebrate a fun night of drinks, games, and meeting others within the community. This event is from 6-8 and all are welcome to come, if you don’t know who to bring come alone this is a great mixer event! This is an event hosted by Big Sky OUT as we work to provide queer safe spaces throughout the community.
Time
(Sunday) 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Location
Cowboy Coffee
25 Town Center Ave. Big Sky, MT 59716