Creamy

Dave and I have been loads of times and have fished flats in other countries too, but Chuck is coming this year and it will be his first saltwater flats fishing trip. He's been out for seabass and on an offshore mahi run before, but that's a very different proposition to DIY wade fishing! Aside from the obvious standard advice to practise his casting, he's needed a bit of guidance on gear, leaders, flies and some other sundries.

Chuck's not the strongest caster and I do think he was a bit worried about what he'd have to be able to do to be successful-especially on the distance front. Luckily I've been able to set him at his ease on that front, I doubt very much that he'll have many shots outside of 60ft. The main thing he needs to develop is quick accuracy out to that range. Luckily the masterclass videos and the new ones are there to help as there's no instructors near him. It's drills, drills, and more drills at the moment then after a few weeks I'll go up there and meet him to see how he's getting on and maybe do some practising while walking through the 100ft square of targets to see how well he can pick them out in various directions, into and across winds. Another good one I like if you have a partner is leading a rolled ball as it really dials in the quickness aspect more than a static target. I'll be doing a lot of the same practice for myself as well as adding Paul's snakehead shot into the mix. It can be a very useful tool on the flats and definitely puts more fish in the scope of the DIY angler.

Flies are easy, Chuck likes to tie so I just gave him samples of a half dozen patterns that work well down there and more or less leaving him to it. Realistically the main concern was making sure he didn't tie all beadchain eyed "Mexico" style bonefish flies instead of bigger more heavily weighted jobs more suitable for the trevally in the strong currents of the flooding lagoon. Leader formulas have been shared, advice on lines, footwear and sunglasses also passed on so he's good to go. If anything on that front is missed, I'm sure Dave and I will have spares to get things working. The last thing was the thing newbies always miss; skincare. It always seems to surprise people when I say they need to put running tights and sudocrem or nivea creme in their bag. But it's essential, the chafing caused by days wet wading in the salt can be agony and no one can be sure they won't experience it. Wet shorts, drying salt and sweat are potential trip wreckers, but a post-shower gooch and thigh application of nivea will keep you walking without the nappy rash.

It's been very interesting helping Chuck get ready because it's also made me think about a lot of my own trip-prep, especially my kitchen sink approach.