Fishing trips used to mean soggy clothes, warm beer and a scruffy cabin. But for a growing school of upscale anglers, the sport is getting increasingly posh. These fishermen–and women–are happy to hand over thousands to fly-fish remote streams or hidden coves from Tierra del Fuego to the Yukon. People “want an outdoor adventure without too much discomfort,” notes John Eustice, whose company arranges exclusive expeditions to New Zealand and Christmas Island.
Blame Robert Redford. Since he glamorized the sport 11 years ago in “A River Runs Through It,” fly-fishing has taken off like an angry marlin. Total spending on the sport jumped almost 20 percent to $678 million between 1998 and 2000, according to the American Fly Fishing Trade Association. “It’s the more sophisticated, elite type of fishing,” says Ethel Schoenborn, who is arranging White’s trip. Difficult to master, it’s perfect –for type A vacationers who want to work even when they’re supposed to relax. Mike Fitzgerald Jr., whose Frontiers Travel (frontierstrvl.com) organizes fly-fishing trips to Chile and the Bahamas, among other spots, says his customers want fish with attitude. “People are looking for strong fish, more exciting fish,” he says.
More exciting accommodations, too. When John Read, a real-estate broker in South Dartmouth, Mass., and his wife, Tina, a floral designer, got hungry in the middle of eight-hour days fishing for brown trout in Chile, they dined on lamb–grilled by a Patagonian gaucho–crisp green salads and Chilean red wine ($4,250 per person, www.johneustice.com). But for Henry Clement, a Pittsburgh lawyer, it’s all about the fish–and making sure he finds them. He spent nearly $4,000 for a few days of fishing the saltwater flats at Andros Island in the Bahamas. Sure, the beachfront cabanas at the Mangrove Cay Club were comfy, but he was more impressed by his guide. Clement believes a savvy guide who can scout locations, choose the right tackle and give tips on presenting the fly is worth his or her weight in fish sticks. Without one, Clement says, “you could fish for years and not find a fish.” It seems there’s only one thing the upscale angler can’t buy: patience.
title: “Travel A Pilot Runs Through It” ShowToc: true date: “2023-01-02” author: “Roy Satterthwaite”
Fishing trips used to mean soggy clothes, warm beer and a scruffy cabin. But for a growing school of upscale anglers, the sport is getting increasingly posh. These fishermen–and -women–are happy to hand over thousands to fly-fish remote streams or hidden coves from Tierra del Fuego to the Yukon. People “want an outdoor adventure without too much discomfort,” notes John Eustice, whose company arranges exclusive expeditions to New Zealand and Christmas Island.
Blame Robert Redford. Since he glamorized the sport 11 years ago in “A River Runs Through It,” fly-fishing has taken off like an angry marlin. In the United States, total spending on the sport jumped almost 20 percent to $678 million between 1998 and 2000, according to the American Fly Fishing Trade Association. “It’s the more sophisticated, elite type of fishing,” says Ethel Schoenborn, who is arranging White’s trip. Difficult to master, it’s perfect for type A vacationers who want to work even when they’re supposed to relax. Mike Fitzgerald Jr., whose Frontiers Travel (frontierstrvl.com) organizes fly-fishing trips to Chile and the Bahamas, among other spots, says his customers want fish with attitude. “People are looking for strong fish, more exciting fish,” he says.
More exciting accommodations, too. When John Read, a real-estate broker in South Dartmouth, Massachusetts, and his wife, Tina, got hungry in the middle of eight-hour days fishing for brown trout in Chile, they dined on lamb–grilled by a Patagonian gaucho–crisp green salads and Chilean red wine ($4,250 per person, www.johneustice.com). But for Henry Clement, a Pittsburgh lawyer, it’s all about the fish–and making sure he finds them. He spent nearly $4,000 for a few days of fishing the saltwater flats at Andros Island in the Bahamas. Sure, the beachfront cabanas at the Mangrove Cay Club were comfy, but he was more impressed by his guide. Clement believes a savvy guide who can scout locations, choose the right tackle and give tips is worth his or her weight in fish sticks. Without one, Clement says, “you could fish for years and not find a fish.” It seems there’s only one thing the upscale angler can’t buy: patience.
