Inside the Mind – George White WCA Destination Travel Trip Host:
WorldCast Anglers Destination Travel Manager, Chris Littauer, sits down with George White for a peek inside the mind of a WorldCast Anglers Destination Travel Trip Host. George shares his passion for travel, his favorite fish to eat a fly and where he would go if the world is ending tomorrow!
CL: “What WCA Destination Travel locations have you fished and which destinations are your currently hosting trips to?”
GW: “The majority of my international fishing experience has taken place on Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula. I’ve also fished Alberta and British Columbia as far north as the Skeena watershed. Currently I’m hosting trips to Playa Blanca, Punta Allen, and the Everglades.”
CL: “I know this is a tough question to answer, but what is your favorite specie of fish to pursue on the fly? Why?”
GW: “Tarpon….baby tarpon. I think that baby tarpon offer one of the most complete fly angling experiences available. It can be incredibly visual with crystal clear shallow water. You get the opportunity to see the fish, see your fly, and watch the whole show! In addition to this very intimate visual tango, all tarpon fight incredibly well. Even the little ones are tough to hook, they all jump, often multiple times and when conditions are good sometimes it happens over and over. I love giant tarpon as well though they often scare me.”
CL: “You live in one of the trout fishing meccas of the world. Some people would think it’s crazy to leave this paradise and chase fish across the globe. Why do you do it?”
GW: “My first day of saltwater fly fishing was the most humbling fishing experience of my life. I went into the deal completely expecting that my trout skills would translate, therefore making me a productive member of the flats boat. I was very wrong and though it was wildly frustrating and confusing at the time, it is now what excites me most. I’ve noticed a theme in that my most memorable fishing trips are often the firsts. First tarpon, first permit, first BC steelhead on a spey rod. That being said, I would rather live no where else but Victor, Idaho.”
CL: “What is your favorite memory or story from a destination travel fishing trip?”
GW: “My first DIY saltwater trip. My friend Captain Cam was nearing the end of the fight with his very first tarpon on the fly, stoke was all time high as it was also the first landed tarpon of the trip. I leaned over the gunnel to lip the fish and retrieve the fly. The 40-50 pound fish had a little too much juice left and launched straight into my face. We got him, let him go, and then I spent the next 5 minutes trying to evaluate whether or not my jaw had been compromised. Not sure who won that round!”
CL: “What is the number one piece of advice you would give someone who is just getting into destination travel fishing?”
GW: “Go with someone who has been to the location before. You are going to save a lot of time and effort and be able to better focus on actually roping fish.”
CL: “The world ends in two weeks and you have one final destination to fish before you die. Where do you go?”
GW: “Any one of the epic locales in the Indian Ocean, it looks insane.”
An experienced destination travel trip host is a key and crucial element of making your destination travel experience a success. The WCA destination travel hosts come from within WorldCast Anglers. They are experienced in a multitude of different fishing environments and locations. They measure success on identifying your fly fishing needs and preferences and meeting or exceeding your expectations. Their professional is a product of training, education and experience. Simply put, we don’t offer every location in the world, only the ones that meet our standards!
For more information on WorldCast Destination Travel Offerings, please email WorldCast Anglers or call us at 800-654-0676. You are also welcome to sign up for our e-newsletters.