Travelling to fly fish? Follow these expert tips on packing, preparation and flying with your gear

BEFORE YOU LEAVE

Given our near-universal love of gear, most of us fly anglers eagerly research the recommended rods, reels, lines and flies for a new destination. What’s easy to overlook are any skills you might also need, especially around casting. Some years ago, I learned this the hard way. On my first morning in the Florida Keys, the guide spotted a big permit—an elusive, spooky and highly prized fish—and handed me his 10-weight outfit. I’d never been on a saltwater flat, hadn’t cast a fly rod in eight months, and I’d never even seen a 10-weight. I still cringe at the result. If you’ll be fishing with heavier-than-usual gear or anticipate challenging casts, make sure you’re ready. Tune up ahead of time, and consider a few casting lessons, including learning how to double haul. This is intermediate casting technique helps you make crisper casts with less effort, and it’ll help at home as well.