8 Travel Hacks for the Traveling Angler

Going on a grand fishing adventure is one of the best feelings in the world. However, getting there is half the battle. Preparing all your gear can be overwhelming, and so can traveling with it all. Here are eight travel hacks and tips to point you in the right direction.

8 Travel Hacks for the Traveling Angler

1. Pack your gear, in your gear! Stuff your nippers, pliers, leader spools, leaders, and reels in your wading boots. This just simply utilizes the space that the boots take up. Plus, you know you’ll never forget your technical accessories when you go to put your boots on. On my last trip, I was able to fit wading socks, three reels, tippet, leaders, pliers, and nippers in both of my wading boots.

2. Use a rain jacket to condense your gear. Most rain jackets are foldable. Lay out the jacket on the floor, zipper up. In the chest area of the jacket, layout the gear that you want to take. Then simply fold the arms in over the gear, fold the bottom up, and roll it into the hood of the rain jacket. This helps to condense and organize your gear.

Fold and Roll Waders

3. Learn how to fold and roll waders. Being efficient with your space goes a long way. Getting all the air out of waders and dry bags goes a long way as well. Start by laying the waders out, front up. Fold them in half, leg-to-leg so the legs and booties align. Compress the booties by rolling/folding them up the leg, essentially around themselves. Continue this until you get up to the top. This gets rid of all of the air in the waders. Leave the straps out and wrap them around the rolled up waders. This will keep them from unrolling. This shrinks down a bulky object into an easily packable shape and size.

Bringing the waders with you? Check these out.

4. Use your boat bag or technical pack as your carry-on. (As long as it doesn’t stink!) I’ve used the Patagonia Black Hole Duffle 45L as a boat bag for years. But when traveling, I use it as a carry on or to pack clothes into a bigger bag. The Simms Dry Creek Boat Bag and Dry Creek Z Backpack also offer some good storage on the go but perform amazingly on the water. The idea is, pack your clothes in it, because your fishing gear is packed in your boots and rain jacket. Once you get to your destination, unpack your clothes and then pack your fishing gear into it. Efficiency is the name of the game.

Backpacks and dry bags we have you covered.

Traveling with Fly Rods

5. Traveling with rods is a pain sometimes, especially if you have a diverse quiver. Many companies make some great multi-fly rod tubes, which really help cut down on the hassle of multiple tubes. The 33” Sage Multiple Fly Rod Tube and Fishpond Jackalope Rod Tube Case are favorites for travel. You can get about three to four rods, and their socks, in one. Multi-rod tubes are the way to go!

6. When it comes to travel, there are lots to worry about. First rule, passports on your person. Don’t be like me and lose a laptop, cash, and passport in one day! That can complicate things, especially on foreign travel. No Bueno. The second rule, passports on your person! Make copies of your passport before travel, and don’t stash anything in a bag that you can get easily separated from. I had to go to the consular services and federal building in Houston to get a same-day passport made before I could leave for Belize, so research where you can get that sort of help before it happens. Don’t be dumb like I was. It’s not a good feeling…

Know What You’re Going to Need

7. Do your research and know what you’re going to need. Don’t pack lots of mid-layers if you’re going to Belize, though a light hoodie may be fine. For Alaska, think layers, and don’t pack 12 t-shirts. Plan each day and utilize one to two pairs of outerwear. Traveling the bush isn’t fun when you have to lug a ton of gear with you either. It’s all common sense to cut down on weight and bulk. Take what tackle and gear you need for sure. A suggestion is to contact your trip host or lodge and get the finite details on the necessities and what things they may provide. Bag fees and restrictions stink, so avoid them wherever possible.

8. And finally, no bananas!

Why no bananas while fishing? You'll want to read this before you go.

For more information on North 40 Fly Shop Hosted trips, contact any one of our fly shop locations. Hosted travel is a fun way to meet new people to fish with and foster some great relationships.

Ever want to catch giant permit in Belize? Read this.