It’s been a while since my last post, and for that I apologize. I have been extremely busy getting thing in line for my trip while taking care of finances. I picked up a second job bartending, which allowed me to save some extra cash, and gave me a solid life skill to use abroad.
As the trip was nearing I was contemplating gear and what would make the cut. I figured the basics would do in terms of clothing and I decided on merino wool, as its properties are conducive to backpacking. Being natural wool they have an anti bacterial property already built in. They also dry extremely quick and keep you warm even when wet.
I also have several electronics I’ll be carrying to help stay connected to the world and share my story. I brought along my laptop, camera, drone and several other smaller electronics. To keep family and friends from worrying I did some research into satellite communicators and tracker. After debating on which to get I settled on a dual channel approach. Since the point of this trip is to venture deep into the back country and find water that may have never been fished before I figured this was the safest best. I will be carrying around a ResQlink ACR PLB (personal locator beacon), and a Garmin InReach Explorer +. The PLB will be used if a dangerous situation arises while the InReach explorer will be used to keep in contact and allow loved ones to track me on my journey. I must say I was a bit skeptical before picking up the Garmin but after using it for several days its usefulness has become apparent. It allows you to keep in touch with anyone, anywhere in the world. It also gives you a topo map, weather, gps navigation, as well as heading and bromic pressure. All in all this is a pretty handy device that comes with a hefty price tag.
Along with all the hiking/survival gear I have my most prized possessions, my fising gear. I have brought along 4 rods ranging from a 9ft. 5wt. to a 13ft. 6 wt. I have several reels to accompany the rods as well as several lines. Now before I headed out on my journey I reached out to the guys over at OPST. I explained to them my situation and they were absolutely awesome. They hooked my up with a couple setups for my rods.
It’s about 3am EST and I am 8 hours out from touching down in New Zealand. I have to say I am pumped to get my feet on the ground and start exploring. I just want to take a quick minute and put some of my feelings down on a page so I can revisit them after having a few weeks on the ground.
I have to get a few things out of the way before I start with the fun stuff. For those who are contemplating making a life change such as I did, I want you to know there are some hard parts to the journey. I have given up a lot and selfishly put a lot of stress on my loved ones. It wasn’t easy leaving my mother standing in tears or anyone else that I love for that matter. If any of you are reading this I just want to say I’m sorry. I took a risk and left behind a great job with great people all because I felt something deep in my soul. Some still think I’m crazy and to be honest, I am. However I will never be the one who says, “I wish I would have”. What I’m getting at is this. With every choice there is always a consequence and before you make the jump I want you to think about it as I did. There comes a point when you need to be selfish and when you follow your heart you’ll find out whom your true family is. I knew my mother standing in tears was a mixed emotion, she was excited, scared and sad all wrapped into one. I try to remind those I love that it’s essentially a year of college and was quickly reminded of all the reasons why it is far from that. However as she drove away I saw a smile break through the tears and a wave, its not until I write this paragraph that it really hits me. I am a bit teary eyed at 30,000 ft and anyone who knows me, knows I very rarely cry so this is saying something. All right now all that mushy stuff is out of the way and I’ve addressed that it’s not just a walk in the park to up and leave lets get to the good stuff.
I touch down in New Zealand at roughly 6AM their time so about 1PM eastern. I have several things I need to get done within the first couple days I’m there:
Set up a bank account
Secure a Campervan
Purchase a Scott Radian
Grab a Sim Card
Along with several other smaller things. I feel like a kid anxiously awaiting Christmas. Not knowing what type of presents your going to get, yet know that there is going to be something awesome there! It’s funny as I sat in the airport I sent out some messages to a few fishing buddies as well as my loved ones and amongst all the well wishes and good lucks there was a calm that seemed to come over most of them as they knew I was on the right path. They get it. They know me and realize that I’m a bit of wanderlust at heart. As I was chatting with a fishing buddy he mentioned a friend who lived in New Zealand. Now I had met this kid once but I figured I would shoot him a Facebook message and ask if he’d like to grab a drink when I touched down. He responded quickly and agreed to a drink and offered up a place to stay, which was FAR to kind. His name is Dale and the last time I met him we went to my buddy Dehmers camp and I watched Dale catch the biggest fish of the day with a fly rod in hand and not a single days experience. I wish I could say it was the teaching, but it wasn’t. It’s amazing how people are willing to lend a hand, with everything going on in the world today it revitalizes my faith in humanity.
So naturally after being offered this extremely kind gesture I went and grab some good whiskey, as I know he’s keen on it. Never had Japanese whiskey but I figured what the hell might as well give it a shot. Try something new in a new country, seems right. Now after Dale and I chatted a bit I asked if he was interested in fly fishing and he instantly responded “yes”. So I am hoping we will both get out and land a fish or two while celebrating with some Japanese whiskey!
GoodWillFishin 