I’m on a long layover here in Paris today on my way to St. Brandon’s Atoll. I’m glad I made this far. It was a little gnarly getting out of Duluth yesterday. We had a bad ice and snowstorm Thursday. Long story short, my 12:37 pm flight from Duluth to Minneapolis got listed as delayed so badly I would have missed my flight to Paris out of Minneapolis yesterday afternoon. Surely, then the chain of flying disasters would have followed and I could miss the once a week boat ride to this pictured paradise.
Fortunately, because I’ve been acclimatizing for my drastic St. Brandon’s time change, I was up at 3 am so when Delta’s text came at 3:55 am warning me of the delay I was able to make a b-line for the Duluth Airport and get on the 8:04 am (which was also delayed but this early in the day delay didn’t matter).
My wee hours morning drive was a tough one on snow and ice. The drive normally takes 90 minutes. Today it took over two hours but in turn, I made Minneapolis in plenty of time and made my connection to Paris.
In a few hours I leave Paris for Mauritius for yet another long flight. I’m sitting in the Air France lounge trying to stay busy during my what will total as a 12 hour layover. With all this time I thought I’d show off my flies for this trip and toss in a few saltwater flats fly packing tips.
One of the biggest mistakes folks make when packing flies for the saltwater flats is packing too many flies. Why don’t you need a ton of flies for what for many is the trip of a lifetime? Because you can do some research and bring only the best ones for your location. That alone will reduce bringing too many. Furthermore, you don’t lose many. It’s the flats. Usually thigh deep water or less. Every snag you get you walk to and free your fly. The only flies I lose are the occasional breakoffs on fish. Or when a toothy triggerfish chews it apart!
Next, how do you pack them? First of all, always put them in your checked bags. TSA agents around the world are not always happy with flies. You don’t want your flies taken away.
I pack one large satellite box (Cliff Box Jr or Beast) and keep it in my room the entire trip. Saltwater and salt air, erode and rust everything. Especially the hooks of flies. Restock from your satellite box each evening and never let this box near the water. I bring smaller boxes for my actual time on the water. One that fits nicely in my backpack or fanny and the smallest fits in my top shirt pocket. See my photo here of all my flies for this 14 days of fishing St. Brandon’s Atoll trip. Also notice my two small fly boxes are made of foam. The airlines can’t break them!
Time to board the final flight!
If you feel the need to fish the furthest destination on the planet, contact me and Yellow Dog and we will get the ball rolling.
Jeff,
I hope all the preparation pays off!
Good luck!
Tad
Me as well Tad. I think it will!