Health & Safety is not just the charter operators responsibility it is also your personal responsibility

The featured photo is meant to be dramatic, but not everything that can make your trip less than fun is a massive saltwater crocodile 🐊 on a river bank. The locations you will be visiting in Australia, New Zealand and PNG are remote and can be dangerous.

I was visiting an island in the Torres Strait 🏝 a few years ago, we asked the guide if we could go for a swim. He said no to me but yes to my fishing companion. But there was one condition he had to leave his rather expensive James Bond watch with him. We both did not go swimming that day.
If you do not know something, ask!
Can we drink the water in the showers? As some locations use bore water in the showers and rainwater for drinking. Things like that!
At the start of your charter, you will be given an induction to your new home 🏠 for your stay. This is their home, and there might be things that they take for granted. You may not want to ask questions in front of the group but remember, if you are thinking it, then someone else is probably wondering the same thing.

If you have any questions, this is the best time to ask. If you don’t feel comfortable about something, ask the manager/skipper privately. This is not a good time for see, no danger, hear no danger!⚠️

Ask your questions!

In the photo below, this young, good-looking chap got himself wet on a cold day, flyfishing in New Zealand. I (I mean he) was in a remote part of the backcountry on the South Island of NZ. There were still 4 hours of fishing till we (he… ok, you have worked out its me) were to be picked up via boat on a lake downstream. Luckily there was a hiker’s hut 20 minutes from that spot. Otherwise, the day would have been called, and everyone would have had to return to the lodge. I spent the next 3 hours sitting beside a fire in my underwear, drying my clothes. The reason for my predicament that day was that I did not follow my guide across a part of the river he knew to be dangerous, and I fell in.🧊

Cold Cold and COLD

At the start of each guiding day, ensure your guide gives you a rundown on the safety gear and procedures, even if it’s the 10th day on that boat with that guide. As much as it is a reminder to you, it is also a reminder to the guide. They may have taken the sat phone out for some reason the afternoon before and forgotten to put it back.

Ask where the sat phone is.
Make sure they do a VHF radio check!
Ask how to operate any safety gear.
Make sure you have lots of water on board!

Your guide will not think you are annoying, as the better the day for you, the better the day for them!

These are important questions even if you are not going out in a boat. If you are heli fishing the backcountry in New Zealand or walking a stream in Tasmania, always ensure your guide has their safety gear.

We keep saying, it’s better to look at it than look for it.

: Wild Pigs

: Not the birds and the bees

: Never smile at a croc

: Creek landing

: Don’t touch it

: Croc

: Sharks

: You will be visiting and sharing Albany Island with these two gorgeous girls

: hello there

: sting for a second or two

: snake looking for dinner

: Don’t eat this

Above are some things that can cause upset on your fishing adventure apart from the fantastic girls (Charlie & Softie up at Albany Island). But in saying that, many locations do have pets. Let them know if you have an issue with dogs and other animals that the operator/location may have.

This is your fishing adventure, so sometimes it is up to you to speak up and ask a question or tell them something that is bothering you.

It is an absolutely extraordinary world out there for us all to explore. We most certainly need to take personal responsibility and make sure we have a superb but safe time.

I could go on for hours and hours and hours.

Several years ago, I met a SAS paratrooper (medic). He was in Mogadishu and worked with the TV program Bear Grylls 🧸. We were feeding sharks 🦈 and we asked him if he wanted to have a go. He simply replied no, thank you, and I later found out from him that he was not comfortable. ☢️

If there is anything on your fishing adventure that you’re not comfortable with, you have to speak up. 📢 Maybe just a chat with the manager on the side 🤫 Have a whisper in someone’s ear🧏‍♀️

You have my contact details. If not, please see below:

doug@travelearth.com

0418 777 772

The moment you pay your deposit is not the end of our journey. I’m here to answer questions to offer advice on your FishingEarth fishing adventure.

Before your trip

During your trip

After your FishingEarth fishing adventure call anytime!

Communication is the best way to have a safe and enjoyable trip.