The Travel Blog
Exotic fishing travel may be our driving passion, but we love a good road trip just the same. It’s all about leaving work behind, seeing new things and expanding our horizons.. Each new trip is a chance to catch new species and meet people who make us more complete.
Panama Travel News Late 2024 – Tocumen, Copa and More
As we get ready to embark on our fifth trip to Sport Fish Panama Island Lodge in January, Hanna and I continue to be thrilled at the ease of travel to the world’s best yellowfin tuna fishing grounds. Here are updates on Tocumen Airport, Panama’s flagship carrier Copa, and the experience in general.
What is the Best Time to Go Bass Fishing in Mexico?
When it comes to El Salto and Picachos, just about every prospective traveler wants to know the best month to catch big fish, the best month to catch lots of fish or – typically – the best month to catch lots of big fish.
Two Different Experiences at Two New (or New to Us) AmEx Centurion Lounges
On our recent trip to Texas and Louisiana we checked out the new DCA Centurion Lounge and the new-to-us IAH Centurion Lounge. One sparkled, the other was less impressive.
Rebirth of the Hotel Tropical Manaus?
The historic Hotel Tropical in Manaus had fallen on hard times, but if Marriott does things right it could once again become the gathering point for peacock bass anglers heading up the Rio Negro.
Fishing in Paris, France
While watching some coverage of the Olympics, I started to wonder what France’s fishing opportunities are like, and whether there are any on the Seines which flows through Paris. I was pleasantly surprised to find the following articles about Parisian fishing.
Delta Boosts Mazatlán Options
Delta has long been an also-ran in our efforts to fly to Mazatlán for bass fishing trips. They’ve sometimes offered direct flights for Minneapolis fliers, but nothing for the west coast anglers. That’ll change in December when they start weekly flights between Los Angeles and Mazatlán.
Never Fished? Only Going to Take One Fishing Trip in Your Life? Consider Casa Vieja Lodge in Guatemala
If you’ve always wanted to go fishing somewhere, as a guys’ trip, or a corporate adventure, or a family get-together, it can be intimidating to figure out where to go. When fish-curious people ask me about a way to dip their toes into an angling adventure, Casa Vieja Lodge is often the first suggestion I offer up.
Sh!t You Shouldn’t Bring on a Plane on a Fishing Trip
If you’re flying to a dreamed-about fishing destination, you don’t want to arrive and find that your gear has not managed to join you. Even worse, you don’t want to get stopped and possibly arrested because there was something dangerous or illegal in your checked or carry-on luggage.
Our Second Year with AmEx Platinum Was a Mild Failure
The first year with AmEx Platinum was more or less a success, with an estimated $1,187 in “savings” in addition to the mileage. That more than offset the annual fees. Unfortunately, mostly through our own fault, it failed to pay for itself over the billing period from July 2023 through June of 2024.
Payara Memories
I can’t believe it’s been five years since my most recent fishing trip to Brazil. The first two were to the Rio Negro basin, north of Manaus, but that last one was to a comparatively un-gringo-fied river to the south. It was one of the best trips I’ve taken largely because it wasn’t a cookie cutter experience.
Early Reviews of the DCA American Express Centurion Lounge
The long-awaited and much-delayed American Express Centurion Lounge at Washington’s Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA) finally opened in mid-July. We are excited to have this option going forward, since DCA is our departure and/or arrival airport approximately half the time.
Six Reasons to Book a Fall Bass Fishing Trip to Mexico
We haven’t written much about the great Mexican bass fishing during the fall months. So if you’ve resisted booking a trip during that time period, we apologize. We’ve been to the lakes during October, November and December. Here are six reasons to go at that time.
Travel Notes from our June 2024 Trip to Anglers Inn Lake El Salto
After nearly every trip to Mexico, I share notes about the travel experience. It’s never the same trip twice going to and from Mazatlán — there are always a few wrinkles and snafus. I feel like by writing it down I can help your next trip go a little bit more smoothly.
Etihad Lounge – Dulles Airport (IAD)
We’re still trying to assess whether the steep fee associated with the American Express Platinum Card is worth it give our current travel plans and needs. One nice development was the discovery that the our Priority Pass membership allows us a single visit per year to the Dulles Airport (IAD) Etihad Lounge.
Six Highlights From Our June 2024 El Salto Trip
After 20 trips to Anglers Inn Lake El Salto, I know that they all have subtle differences. The fishing, service and scenery are always great, but as you’ll see below there were six things in particular that made this trip unforgettable.
Heading to ICAST? Consider Headwaters
If you’ll have some time before, after or during ICAST, and you’d like to fish, you’re in luck – what may be the best bass fishery in the country is right nearby. The Headwaters are loaded with giant grass-based bass, so if you like to frog and flip they’re calling your name.
Lake El Salto Fishing Report – June 2024
One or both of us have traveled to Anglers Inn Lake El Salto every May or June since 2013, but this year’s trip was the latest in the season – we were there from June 22 through June 29. Here’s a trip report.
Summertime Fishing Travel Link Buffet
It may be occasionally too hot to fish, or too sticky to travel, but the news never rests. Here are a handful of stories that we’ve read recently that may inform your future fishing travel.
Maagoo’s: It Doesn’t Have to Be Tuesday for Kick Ass Fish Tacos in Panama
If you’ll be in Panama City, make a detour to the Canal Zone for Maagoo’s Fish Tacos — a bar/restaurant with great food, fishing tackle and a thirst for adventure.
Travel Notes From Our May 2024 Trip to Sport Fish Panama Island Lodge
After three trips to Panama, we figured we had the process down pat, but every trip presents its own challenges. Fortunately, the travel aspects of fourth trip were remarkably smooth. Because it wasn’t eventful, it may not be extremely helpful to document it, but if our experiences help any future travelers avoid problems, it’ll be worth it.