TRAVELING

THE DO’S AND DON’TS OF PREPARING FOR YOUR NEXT BIG FISHING TRIP

Tips From The Guides

You’re headed to your bucket list destination to fish, and your mind is reeling with anticipation. What gear is best to bring? How many fish will I land? Do I need to practice my cast beforehand? How much time should I spend researching the area? Breathe deep, we’re here with the #1 top tips from the Eleven Angling guide team, whose angling obsessions have taken them around the world a time or two, and equipped them with a few words of wisdom of what to do, and what not to do.

Scottie’s favorite destination angling trips: TIP #1

“Consider your rod your new best friend. What do you do with your closest mate? You spend time with it. You get comfortable with it. It’s that simple.”

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The Makarora River out in front of Cedar Lodge

Any of the rivers on the west coast of the South Island, especially during cicada season

Any river where you are with a couple of mates and throwing some banter

Cameron’s favorite destination angling trips: TIP #2

“Get out and do some hula hoops on the lawn. Not the twirl your hips kind, the lay it on the ground and cast your fly at it kind. When you focus on accuracy, distance comes naturally. When it’s windy, practice even harder.”

–Cameron Davenport

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Lago Yelcho in the Los Lagos region of Chile - rainbow and brown trout

The Marls of Abaco, Bahamas - bonefish

“Bring an extra pair of sunglasses. They are one of the most vital pieces of equipment, whether it’s to protect your eyes from hooks and others’ flies, cut the glare of the water to spot suspended fish, or cover your face while motoring around when it’s raining. They pack light, take up little space, and are easy to lose!”

TIP #5

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Dom’s favorite destination angling trips:

Lago Yelcho, Chile

Gunnison River Gorge, Colorado

Metolius River, Oregon

TIP #6

“Bring a good mood and a positive outlook. Especially if you’re coming to Iceland to fish for North Atlantic salmon, an endangered and unique creature, get ready for strong fish and a long fight. They have strong genes and have to fight for their lives in Icelandic nature.”

Steini’s favorite destination angling trips:

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Iceland

The Hölkná River in Iceland

TIP #4

“Even though our lodges provide top-of-the-line equipment, including waders, rain coats, wading boots and all fly fishing tackle, I still like to bring a few simple things just in case I am away from the guide. I like to have hemostats for unhooking fish and flattening barbs, plus a spool or two of tippet, floatant if I am dry fly fishing, and a couple extra flies. This is mostly for

Cedar Lodge in New Zealand, where every trip is a walkwade trip, after an amazing helicopter flight, that is. I also usually grab a Halloween-type bag of Snickers for a lodge trip. Eleven food is world-class and world-famous. But, out on the water, mid-afternoon, I just crave a Snickers, or a Kit-Kat or an Almond Joy! If you crave it, I bet your fishing partner and guide and pilot will take one, too.”

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The Holkna River in Iceland