What Kind of a Lunatic Plans Fishing Trips Two Years in Advance?

By Pete Robbins

I know that a lot of you are last-minute planners, and I certainly feel like I’ve conquered life when a late-blooming opportunity falls into my lap. Nevertheless, I can’t shake my understanding that I am a planner.

Fishing is all about controlling the variables that you can control, right? I want to be on the best waters, at the best times, with the best gear. I also have a full-time job, plus another part-time gig that occasionally veers past 40 hours a week. If I don’t plan, things don’t happen. I have a lot of boxes to check.

That’s part of the reason that I’ve already written some of my 2026 vacation plans on the calendar in pen, and others in sharply-written pencil. It’s not even 2025 yet, and I’m certainly not looking past what I hope will be a great year of fishing travel, but I also want to take care of business beyond the immediate horizon.

That’s why we have organized a group trip to chase sailfish in Guatemala in February of 2026, and we have another large group headed to Alaska for trout and salmon that August. Notably, there are still spots available on both of those trips – email us any time if you’re interested in learning more – and that brings me to some of the reasons for planning so far in advance:

First, it allows us to get prime dates. We try to plan many of our trips over holiday weekends so that we won’t have to use quite as much of our vacation time to go. Other people do the same. If you want to head to a popular destination like Casa Vieja Lodge, the best boats at the best times book up early. Similarly, in Alaska, the salmon runs are remarkably predictable. If you want to be there during the height of a certain species (we’ll be there for the silver salmon), act fast.

Second, it allows us to plan financially. Some but not all of the trips that we take are pretty pricey. By knowing now how much we’ll need it allows us to save appropriately and not be surprised. In some cases, you can also lock in current year pricing if you put down a deposit early.

Third, it allows us to prepare physically. If we want to take a long hike (while wearing waders) through the Alaskan tundra to chase remote monster rainbow trout, we have to be ready for that challenge. Similarly, I’ve vowed that before we return to Alaska I will practice my fly casting, at least a little. My lack of skill hasn’t proven to be a major hindrance so far, but I want to be ready if I need to execute a specific tricky cast.

One caveat, though. Remember the old saying that “Man plans and God laughs”? Well, it’s true. The further out you plan, the more likely that you are to run into some speedbump that boogers up the trip. If and when you do book for in advance, be sure to check on refund and cancellation policies and dates. It never hurts to invest in a travel protection plan, either. You can save yourself a lot of heartache while maximizing your opportunities to have a bucket list experience.

If you’re considering a trip to Alaska, Guatemala, Mexico, Brazil or Panama, whether this upcoming year or far in the future, shoot us a message and we can help you plan.