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Each time I go on a major fishing trip I modify my packing list to make my packing for my next trip as comprehensive, as efficient and light as possible.

My latest trip was to Christmas Island in the Pacific.

The first list is my revised lists for my High Sierra bag for when it is used as my carry on bag and for the same bag when it becomes my fishing bag.

The second list is for checked in luggage. Just before I headed off on my last adventure to Christmas Island Air Fiji changed its check in bag requirements to 158 linear centimetres which is the length + width + breadth. My normal check in bag came to 164 linear centimetres so I took the decision to find an alternative compliant bag. The bag I found was came to 154 linear centimetres and had an inside length of 91cm so all my gear, including my fly rods, my cloths, repair kit, additional fishing gear and my first aid pack which includes first aid items as well as emergency medications fitted comfortably in the bag, but unfortunately it did not have wheels which was a bog.

Consequently as my net trip is not for around 6 weeks I be hunting around for a roller bag that is 91 centimetres long inside and therefore long enough for my rod tubes but also compliant with the 158 linear centimetres rule.

When packed the list below in my current bag without the desired rollers my check in luggage tips the scales at 17 kilograms. I expect that in a new bag with wheels that will go up around 19 kilograms which will still be well inside the 23 kilograms limit on most international economy flights.

I will modify these list as I head off to other destinations.

HIGH SIERRA BAG

My carry on bag is a ‘water resistant’ High Sierra bag that measures L55 x W23 x H26 and therefore well inside the maximum carry on bag dimensions of L55 x W23 x H40. I can carry this bag off the shoulder, as a back pack or by its handles so it’s very flexible. The outside pocket is fine for tickets passports etc.

I generally use this bag as an overnight bag for overnight trips and it’s more than adequate for that also.

Basically I carry my normal overnight gear in that bag when I use it as a carry on bag when flying and that gives me enough stuff to get by for a day if my checked in luggage goes astray.

CHECK IN LUGGAGE

Just before I headed off on my last adventure to Christmas Island Air Fiji changed its check in bag requirements to 158 linear centimetres which is the length + width + breadth. My normal check in bag came to 164 linear centimetres so I took the decision to find an alternative compliant bag. The bag I found was long enough for my fly rods and all my gear, including my fly rods, my cloths, repair kit, additional fishing gear and my first aid kit which includes first aid items as well as emergency medications, but unfortunately it did not have wheels which was a bog. Consequently as my net trip is not for around 6 weeks I will be hunting around for a roller bag that is 91 centimetres long inside and therefore long enough for my rod tubes but also compliant with the 158 linear centimetres rule. When packed, all the items on the lest below tip the scales at 19 kilograms. I expect that in a new bag with wheels that may go up around 20 kilograms which will still be well inside the 23 kilograms limit on most international economy flights.

CLOTHES ETC

Together with the cloths in my carry on bag list above there is enough gear here for two days at a time. When on fishing trips I make it a habit of rinsing out my fishing cloths (shirt,budgie smugglers, zip off trousers and my socks from inside my flats boots) at the end of each day and then reused them when they were well and truly dry two days later. I still think that is a good way to go.

Fishing:

1. 2 pair of zip off fishing trousers
2. 2 pair fishing shorts
3. 2 LS fishing shirts
4. 2 pair of 'budgie smugglers'
5. 2 pair of fishing socks

Other:
1. 2 Pair of ankle socks
2. 1 polo shirts
3. 1 pair casual shorts
4. Pyjamas
5. Spare hat
6. 2 U-pants
7. 2 Singlets
8. Hankies / cloths for cleaning glasses etc

REPAIR KIT ETC

1. Small torch or head lightLeatherman tool
2. Cigarette lighter
3. Torch
4. Scissors
5. Small selection of cable ties
6. Superglue
7. Tarzans grip
8. Roll of electrical tape
9. Nail knot tool & white loop monofilament braid
10. 2 bulldog clips

FIRST AID KIT

1. Bushmans 80% deet rub on
2. Pen and paper
3. Mixed bandaids
4. Sterile swabs
5. First aid hand book
6. Betadine ointment
7. Scissors, tweezers, eye bath and splinter probes

EMERGENCY MEDICATIONS – IN FIRST AID KIT IN LUGGAGE

These have been prescribed for me by my Doctor ... check with your doctor what is appropriate for you.

1. Spare cash (this as good a place as any to keep your reserve.)
2. Augmentin DF (Amoxicillin and clavulanic acid)
• Broad spectrum antibiotic
• Used for chest, skin and urine infections
• One tablet twice a day
3. Flagyl / Metrol (Metronidazole)
• Antibiotic against anaerobes (mainly gut bacteria i.e. diarrhoea)
• Used for infectious diarrhoea(Giardia , salmonella)
• Cannot consume any alcohol while on these tablets !!!
• Use one table 3 times a day
4. Ondansetron
• Anti nausea tablet
• Will dissolve on the tongue whereas Maxolon has to be swallowed as a table and often comes straight back up
• Can use one tablet 3 times a day
5. Hydralyte electrolyte tablets
• To build electrolyte back up after vomiting, diarrhoea or heavy perspiration
6. For coral cuts
• I took Chloromycetin this last trip and it did help one of our group who had a coral cut that blew out

ADDITIONAL FISHING GEAR - Actual selection depends on destination, target species etc

Transfer the fishing gear to your Sierra / fishing bag when arrive at destination

1. 2 #8 weight fly rods
2. 2 #10 weight fly rods (your second weight class may be different)
3. Spare #8 and #10 weight floating lines
4. Spare flies
5. Backup Tippet:
• FC Rock 14lb
• System shock leader 50lb
6. Flats fishing boots and 3 pair of socks

Your flats fishing boots must be comfortable and well worn in before the trip as you will spend 8-10 hours a day in them. For the first trip I used my reef boots and they were OK but not so comfortable by the end of the day. For my next trip I will invest in a pair of Simms flats boots. Quite a few of the guys on the first trip had these and they all reported that they are extremely comfortable.

I can’t wait to get back to Christmas Island … hope you found this helpful.

Regards, Chatto

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