From the Editor: Take an Extra Day or Two

Taking a break from the rigors of a career, family, and other responsibilities is often difficult to coordinate. And far too often, when they can actually cut some time away from home and the office for that fishing trip they’ve always dreamed about, too many people make the error of creating an itinerary that is far too inflexible and does not allow adequate time to deal with airline delays/cancellations or to see the historic sites or partake in the culture of a foreign country.

When people ask me for travel tips or advice, my number one recommendation is to always take an extra day, or two, at the beginning or the end of your trip to soak up the food, language, people, and culture of a foreign connecting city.

The places with the best fishing are by definition isolated and remote, and while you get a good sense of wild places, you are often dining with fellow travelers and don’t learn much of the history of a country or interact with the people.

For instance, when you travel to Patagonia, you will travel through Santiago, Chile, or through Buenos Aires, Argentina. Spend at least one extra night there on arrival to visit the museums and the art galleries, walk the promenades, partake in the salsa dancing, and see the iconic statues and monuments. They are safe, gracious, and beautiful cities, and you don’t really “know” a country until you see where the population actually lives and works.

This buffer is helpful rest after a long flight, helps break up the journey, and can act as a safety valve should your international flight be delayed or canceled. Don’t be in a hurry, be wise.

The same is true in many foreign nations. When you travel to Bolivia for golden dorados, you will be surprised by the affluence of the bustling Santa Cruz. When you go to Brazil for peacock bass, take time to see the Amazon Theater and the open-air fish market in Manaus.

On your trip to the Seychelles to catch giant trevally, you can overnight in Paris or Dubai, and I definitely recommend a night in the capital city of Victoria.

In New Zealand, almost all the cities have rich histories and you must sample the wine—and the meat pies. In Australia, a day to visit the Sydney Opera House and Bondi Beach is well worth it.

In Mongolia you might need two days in Ulaanbaatar to see the Gandantegchinlen and Gandan Khiid monasteries, Zaisan Memorial Hill, and the Bogd Khaan Winter Palace.

While trout, taimen, permit, GTs, dorados, and peacock bass are the real meat of your trip, and provide the important stimulus to adventure abroad, some extra days of rest, relaxation, and education can be the spice you need to add rich, complex flavor to your travels.

---