| Try doing a web search on the words "fishing | | | | us. You need to be honest about what you're |
| lodge" and you will come up with hundreds of | | | | prepared to spend, and also how you want to |
| thousands of matches. Visit any major sports | | | | spend it. If you have $1,000 to blow on a trip, do |
| show and you'll find dozens of outfitters, each | | | | you want a week at Lodge A, or three days at |
| offering promises of the trip of a lifetime. How on | | | | Lodge B which might offer more upscale |
| earth do you narrow it down and find the fishing | | | | accommodations or a better shot at a trophy |
| destination that's just right for you? | | | | fish? |
| Identify Your Priorities for you fishing trip... | | | | Once you have decided exactly what kinds of fish |
| The first step in selecting a destination is to sit | | | | you want to catch and how you want to catch |
| down with everyone else going on the trip and | | | | them, you need to discuss the accommodations. |
| discuss what it is that you want out of the | | | | In order to get the kind of fishing your group |
| experience. It's not enough to decide you want | | | | wants, are you willing to rough it in a tent camp |
| great fishing, because that can mean very | | | | where you have to prepare your own food, or is |
| different things from one person to the next. | | | | a certain amount of creature comfort also a |
| One person in your party might be delighted to | | | | priority? |
| catch 20 fish per day, while another might expect | | | | How important is a hot shower at the end of the |
| 20 fish an hour. This is the time to be perfectly | | | | day, or having someone else deal with the |
| clear and up-front, because the more honestly | | | | cooking and cleaning up? Can you live without a |
| you communicate your wishes, the better the | | | | flush toilet? Would you rather bring your own |
| chances you will have a great trip. | | | | boat? |
| Some important things to decide right from the | | | | Again, it's important to be honest and realistic |
| beginning include: | | | | right up front. |
| What species of fish do you want to catch? | | | | Once you've established clear priorities for the |
| This sounds like a no-brainer, but it definitely | | | | fishing and the accommodations and set a rough |
| needs to be discussed. If one member of your | | | | budget, it's time to start looking at what different |
| party really wants to catch lake trout and the | | | | lodges have to offer. |
| resort you pick has lousy fishing for them, that | | | | The species of fish you want to catch, the |
| person will be very disappointed. If the place you | | | | amount of time you want to be away and the |
| pick has fishing for multiple species, you should | | | | amount of cash you have to spend should help |
| decide how much time and effort you want to | | | | focus your search to a general geographic area, |
| apply to each. What matters most, and what | | | | while the priorities your group collectively identified |
| matters least? Do you want to catch walleye, | | | | should allow you to narrow your search within |
| northern pike, bass, char? | | | | that geographic area fairly quickly. It's everyone's |
| Do you want lots of action? Or trophy fish? | | | | fishing trip ... so plan it well. |
| Does great fishing mean catching a fish on every | | | | Now, it's a matter of contacting fishing lodge |
| cast? Or would you go all day for one bite, | | | | operators within that region, and seeing what |
| provided that fish was a giant? Of course we | | | | they have to offer. |
| would all like fast action with trophy fish, but it's | | | | Call The Government |
| important to keep your expectations realistic. So | | | | State or provincial tourism departments are the |
| between the two, which is most important? And | | | | best way to find fishing lodges within specific |
| what honestly constitutes a big fish for you? | | | | areas. If you've decided your group wants to go |
| Would a 20-pound salmon make you smile? Or | | | | to Alaska to fish for salmon and steelhead, then |
| would it have to be a 50? | | | | start with a call to the Alaska department of |
| How are the fish caught? | | | | tourism. They can send you all sorts of |
| Can you sight-fish? Or is it primarily deep trolling? | | | | information on outfitters, general fishing |
| Imagine how disappointing it would be to spend all | | | | information, plus stuff on license requirements, |
| winter watching people on TV fishing shows | | | | fishing regulations and such. |
| hammer big pike on topwaters, then find on your | | | | Selecting the right fishing trip destination is |
| trip of a lifetime the only way to catch them is | | | | probably the single most important aspect of |
| by deep trolling in 60 feet of water? | | | | planning your fishing trip. Well, choosing the right |
| What is your realistic budget? | | | | fishing buddies is pretty important, also. |
| Let's face it; money is a deciding factor for all of | | | | |