Delayed or Lost Baggage
While airlines do everything possible to ensure your bags will arrive at your destination at the same time as you do, delays can happen. Trust us, we know. I was once in Cuba for a couple of days before my main suitcase showed up. Luckily, I had carried on all my rods and reels on with me. I also had a change of clothes in my carry-on so the only things I needed to borrow were a few flies from my travelling companions. On our recent trip to Roatan, Alan's suitcase made a detour on the way home, and caught up to us two days later, with parts broken or missing and a puncture right through the underside. Luckily nothing inside was missing or damaged but that bag was beyond repair!

As travelers what can we do to protect our belongings? More importantly, how can we ensure that we can still enjoy a fishing trip if our suitcase decides to take a side trip and arrives at our destination a day or two later than we do?

Always be sure that your carry-on includes the items you need to be able to enjoy your vacation if your bags don't arrive with you. Our carry-on bags double as our boat bags and we ensure that these bags contain a set of wading clothes, wading boots, prescription medications, sunscreen, raincoat, sweater, sandals, some fly fishing gear, and camera. We also wear clothes on the plane that will be useful for our planned activities at our destination, just in case. Always check with your carrier to be sure that any item you pack in your carry-on is allowed by the airline at the time of your travel.