Tackling Up for Chira!

Probably the most difficult aspect of going to Chira, and the one that requires the most thought and planning , is the c arp t ackle that you should take with you.

The first thing to remember is that the airlines impose a very strict baggage limit and that excess baggage charges are very expensive. You are allowed 22kg for all your tackle and travel bags, so as you can see a very tight choice of gear is essential.

Naturally your rods are the first item to worry about. Unless you own a set of three piece travel rods , such as the ones made by Fox, then you will need to take your own regular rods. I would recommend 3lb test versions and probably 12 foot would be easier than 13 for the purpose of travelling on a plane. Delicate and very breakable carbon fibre needs adequate protection from the trials and tribulations of being loaded and unloaded by airport baggage handlers. There are specially built hard rod cases available such as the ones made by 'KIS'. These rigid plastic cases can take your three rods and a net and are lockable with a padlock. They sell for around £60. If you plan on regularly travelling overseas they are well worth the investment to protect you precious carbon.

  The Kis Rod case

Alternatively if these cases are outside your budget then a length of PVC drain pipe will do pretty much the same job. Capped off with screw lids it makes an economical way to transport the rods.

Terminal tackle will need to be sorted out and the barest minimum taken. Most of what you would require can be fitted into a medium sized Tupperware box for instance.

Personally I wouldn't bother with a bivvy. Our accommodation is situated on the banks of the lake only five minutes walk away. I would suggest fishing days and evenings as this will certainly see you get amongst the fish. If you envisage doing a night or two then this is possible on Agustin's land, but bivvies are difficult or impossible to erect in many places, due to the hard volcanic ground. I would recommend a Gortex cover over a sleeping bag and to sleep under the stars. It is a dry climate and it rarely rains. It can however get extremely cold at night as the lake is situated at 900m above sea level.

So... this is what I 'd take and how I'd pack it.

• Three rods in a hard case or drain pipe, packed in their cloth rod bags .  I would add a landing net and light alloy pod. These items should fit into the case.
• A small rucksack with my reels, buzzers, tackle box and a few bits and pieces like scales, weigh sling etc. This bag I would take on as hand luggage. Important n ote: k nives, cutters and scissors are not allowed in your hand luggage.
• I would add a small inflatable Lilo for use as an unhooking mat.
• A bedchair ( or d ay chair - which would be my preference ) . These should be adequately protected, and needless to say the lightest model one can find.
• My hand luggage would include a sleeping bag, the smallest and warmest I can find, a Gortex blanket (like the Trakker ones) and various clothes etc. It can get cold at night so fleeces and hats are recommended.

I 'd recommend that anglers cook and eat in the accommodation, or in Agustin's restaurant that 's close to the banks of the lake just in front of the apartments. I was lucky - my wife brought me down a meal on a tray while I was fishing ! Carrying all the necessary cooking gear would be prohibitively heavy but s hould you wish to cook by the lake, then a trip to a store in Las Palmas before you drive up to the lake would be required to buy a small Gaz strove etc .

Bait will no doubt prove to be the last hurdle to cross. Agustin has agreed to provide buckets of cooked maize which makes an excellent bulk attractor. If you can fit a five kilo bag of bait into your bag then it would probably be an idea to do so. Agustin should in future either be able to supply boilies or put anglers in touch with a chap who imports Mainline bait.

Once everything is packed and you are ready to go, weigh your gear. As I said above the airlines are hot on weight and even if you can pay extra for overweight bags, it is not always possible if the aircraft is at its capacity.

Finally, I really would recommend Chira - it's a great place for a holiday. In the middle of Winter it gives you the chance to sit in the sun and to catch some really stunning carp. The lake is very unpressured and the lakeside accommodation clean and practical.

Tight Lines

Gareth
gareth@anglinglines.com