It’s that time of the year again. As we speak, thousands of anglers are already migrating to their favorite flats fishing destinations. Before they go, they always make sure they have their rods, reels, lightweight clothes, and more flies than they can ever use in a lifetime. But the one thing that is always overlooked though is, how good of shape are they in?
Sound stupid? When’s the last time you’ve fished on a small boat, from sun up to sun down in 90 degree weather, while basically having to balance on a skateboard all day? Add in a couple dozen casts into a 25mph headwind, pulling back on some hard fighting fish, and suffering from too many beers the night before, and you’ll be saying “uncle” faster than you can ever imagine.
For those of us who aren’t built like Arnold Schwarzenegger, there are a few things you can do to prepare for this fatigue well before your trip. Start by hitting the gym. We’re not going to preach about health and fitness here, but lifting a few weights and running on the treadmill will go a hell of a long way when battling a 100 lb tarpon. For those of you here in SD you should have spent all winter getting shacked by epic surf and already be an argonaught. Also, the next time the wind is howling outside, take your favorite 8, 10, or 12 weight rod, and go practice casting in it. Take shots not only into it, but practice casting with it coming over both your left and right shoulder. You also always hear about how you have to make a cast at 80 or 100 feet without flinching, and while this can sometimes be true, you also need to have the ability to make a fly land in a hat at less than 10 feet away. Sound easy? Try it sometime! I have been on many flats fishing trips where there is absolutely no light to see and the wind is blowing so hard, that you don’t even see fish until their practically right underneath the boat. It’s just like playing golf…..the short game can make all the difference.
And as far as drinking too much the night before, well, we can’t help you there. Just remember to tip your bartender!