Passport to Adventure

I have been extremely fortunate to fly fish all over the world, but I’ve had to put in my dues.

From being stranded in the Venezuelan jungle while chasing payara, to being bus-jacked in Malawi in search of tigerfish, I’ve had more than a few adventures with a fly rod in hand. Forty years ago, back when I was behind the counter at a well-known Jackson Hole fly shop, if I wanted to fish for exotic species, I’d save enough money for a plane ticket and go from there. Living out of a backpack, hitchhiking and taking local transportation to the river, I was happy, and privileged, to fish the world on a shoestring budget. Being passionate and resourceful spurred many trips and experiences that made me the angler—and the person—I am today. Moreover, those experiences have made me appreciate taking a more organized approach, one which I hope can help other anglers see travel through a fly fisher’s lens.

Passport priorities

Angler or otherwise, first and foremost, travelers need to obtain a passport. If you’ve got one, ensure it’s not expired and won’t be for at least six months. Many countries require a travel visa, which is oftentimes granted upon entry, however, some countries require you apply for the authorization far in advance of a trip. Do your homework. Consider expediting the process by using a visa service. Although it costs money, this is a headache-avoiding and time-saving process that you’ll be happy you invested in.

As long as you’re doing some reading, make sure you’ve researched the safety warnings for the country you intend to visit. I always peruse the U.S. Department of State’s travel advisory website for relevant information prior to considering a trip abroad. Long before you start thinking about what rods to bring or which flies to pack, you’ll want to know if there’s been a recent coup d’état, a weather disaster or other dangers in the country you’re considering.

Sure shots

Certainly in 2021/22 all countries will have preventative measures for ensuring Covid-19 does not spread via visitor-entry ports. Be sure to review what kind of proof of vaccination is required and even if you are vaccinated, find out if you need to arrive at your destination with a copy of a negative Covid test, taken within 72 hours. Don’t forget about your other potential vaccines, too.

Travelers should have a current tetanus shot, and may be required to get other vaccines such as hepatitis A and B, typhoid and meningitis. I always make sure my yellow fever is up-to-date to visit certain countries in Africa. Always carry proof of your inoculations with you. While we’re on the topic of health, you should make an effort to be in shape for your trip. Better fitness means more casts.

Spin the globe

You and I might find the idea of pointing to the atlas and picking a random spot to fish exciting, but most people aren’t inclined, or able, to go searching for River Monsters à la Jeremy Wade. If you are healthy, ambitious, tough and have time to spare, by all means, spin the globe and go for it, like I did in my 20s and 30s. Most people, however, want to approach their inaugural cross-border fly fishing trip in an organized fashion. I recommend selecting a location that doesn’t require logistical hoop-jumping and doing so through a travel business that caters to anglers.

Better Belize it

There are plenty of wonderful international fly fishing destinations within a day’s flight of the U.S. or Canada. If you’re American, an easy, outrageously-fun itinerary is a northern pike trip to Canada. If you are Canadian, a simple yet classic international adventure is to come down my way and fish the Rocky Mountain West. For those wanting to push their angling envelopes, however, I highly recommend sampling the salt. A saltwater fishing trip offers the appeal of escaping winter, plus, for the majority of land-locked North Americans, getting on the ocean with their fly rod is new territory. With easily-accessible locations such as Mexico, Bahamas or Belize, you can be fishing the flats in a t-shirt the same day you leave the house for the airport in your parka.

Belize, in particular, is an outstanding destination for a first time international fly fishing trip. Only a day’s travel from the U.S. or Canada, Belize is incredibly friendly to tourists. With English as the country’s official language and a world-class tourism industry underpinning a plethora of renown, respected fly fishing lodges, you can be assured you’ll be looked after upon arrival. The lodges I’ve been fortunate enough to work with in Belize provide clean and comfortable accommodations, tasty food and experienced guides. Such outfits have hosts whose passion is giving you the ultimate experience in their country.

Expanding horizons

Once you get that first taste of travel, it’s only natural to want to explore more of the planet. When you start to talk continent-hopping and seeking out exotic species to target on the fly, even the most adventurous globe trotters can benefit from the expertise of folks who specialize in the extra special.

Maybe your thirst for the salt hasn’t been quenched, but now as well as the Caribbean you’re intrigued by the Indian Ocean. Perhaps a photo of a peacock bass was implanted in your mind’s eye and now you’re toying with the idea of a freshwater trip to the Amazon rainforest. Those are the fruits. The labors include travel logistics, region-specific regulations, decisions on gear and luggage, and perhaps the most intimidating challenge of all, language barriers. The fact is, distant locations bring on new challenges.

Full disclosure: I am an ambassador for Yellow Dog Flyfishing Adventures (YD), a Montana-based company that specializes in fly fishing travel throughout the world. I have the pleasure of answering customer questions about the most far-flung locations that Yellow Dog services. I also have the distinct honor of hosting anglers on some of these adventures. In the next 12 months, I am taking groups on two separate trips to the Seychelles (an archipelago of islands off the coast of East Africa), a trout and salmon wilderness adventure on the Kamchatka Peninsula of Russia and a monster pike and sheefish trip on the Yukon River. Traveling with an experienced host is the ultimate way to fly fish the most exotic places in the world because not only do you have an experienced leader with you at all times, but usually the group includes other anglers with the drive to see exciting places and enjoy new adventures just like yourself. It’s a great way to make new friends for life.

Just in case

One thing all traveling anglers should strongly consider, and especially when journeying to extremely remote locations, is purchasing travel insurance. Trip interruption/cancellation insurance and emergency evacuation coverage plans are self-explanatory, but in case you need a case study, I recently took a group all the way to the Seychelles, in the Indian Ocean, to chase exotic species such as trevally, permit and triggerfish. Unfortunately, we were grounded because of a freak cyclone. It was a $25,000 trip and because they had invested a very reasonable $1,500 to be covered, my insured guests got every penny back. Convinced yet?

DIY on the fly

When my fly fishing travel career began, I had no choice but to go DIY. I organized my own flights and had no qualms with arranging local transportation with little more than my gumption and my thumb. Often my accommodations were downright dubious and when I got to the water it was never with a guide. Occasionally I tracked down someone willing to drive a boat, but these folks were hardly fishing guides—the look on their faces when I broke out my fly rod and started to cast made that abundantly clear!

If you are confident in your angling skills, have an extra carry-on of patience and an appetite for adventure, a DIY trip overseas will always be memorable. Because it’s so raw, I encourage ambitious young anglers to build character this way, but remind them that those spurs aren’t easily earned. I always warn keen adventurers that no matter how selfreliant they are to expect plenty of failure—and not just on the water. Getting skunked can be the least of your worries if your bus gets hijacked or you narrowly avoid being mauled by a Bengal tiger (true story!).

DIY adventures are just that, adventures. If you want to save money and you have time, they can be rewarding expeditions. I would not trade a single one of my past experiences, the glorious or the hair-raising, however, if you’re after targeting unique fish in a wild setting followed by a cold beverage, nutritious meal and cozy bed, and you can afford to do an organized trip, trust me, it’s worth it.

Temper expectations

While it’s easy for me to recall the greatest hits of a blessed career spanning four decades of travelling with a fly rod, just because one visits an amazing angling destination does

not guarantee great fishing. Seasons, weather, tides and the unknowable mood of the fish will always influence the species, quality and number of fish you ultimately bring to hand. What you bring to the table, however, in terms of your preparation, angling experience and expectations, will greatly affect your trip. Keep your hopes and dreams in check with reality and realize that just like spending time in your favourite home waters, exotic angling is about much more than just the fish.

Traveling with my fly rod has helped me live an incredible life. There is nothing more invigorating than tackling unfamiliar waters and having a chance at targeting a wide variety of fish species.

It took 35 years in the fly fishing industry to make the connections I have today, but I haven’t forgotten how I arrived here. Meeting people, learning about different cultures and catching a few amazing fish along the way has made me a rich man at heart.

Jeff Currier

Follow Jeffs adventures on his blog at jeffcurrier.com

Instagram: @jeffcurrier65

Facebook: Jeff Currier Global Fly Fishing