Cuba June 2013
Just returned from my 4th salt water trip with the Fly Odyssey team, and as in previous trips, the experience will remain imprinted on my fishing memories.
Every trip I learn more about the challenging environment of salt water fly fishing, more than books or dvd’s will ever teach you, but the more you go, the more you discover beyond the fishing.
During our week in Cuba I was fortunate to fish with several other members of the team and during conversation, one of the common points that came up,was that fishing with like-minded guys, meant everyone derived an enormous pleasure in seeing their boat partner for the day landing a fish or suffered with them the agony of losing one. I think it comes from the common understanding of mastering the challenge. Presenting the fly and then not lifting the fly from the fishes mouth at the crucial point instead of sticking it like you should have done, and told everyone you did ( I think the video footage revealed a world of lifts instead of strip strikes! ). Wondering whether that fantastic knot actually had the line going the right way through the loop, or the wind was from the wrong side – we heard it all, we said it all and we understood when it went wrong for the other guy as it did for all of us.
But then we felt the exhilaration for the other guy when he got it right, and finally held his prize up for the camera.
Suddenly, I realised that fishing alone is great, but fishing with such a like-minded group in such a special place added more.
And Cuba is special. The area we fished was deserted. Not just quiet, but devoid of presence. You felt privileged to be there, as if you were fishing your own part of the world. You might think that means the fishing was easy. Well I couldn’t comment as someone with a wealth of salt water experience, but I think the general feeling from our group was that there were ample chances at worthy adversaries! But isn’t that what you want? Okay we found willing bonefish, but they weren’t all easy, and my personal best was a thrill. I found the variety of species as good as any where I’ve been so far, but I don’t think we scratched the surface. To be honest, we all concentrated on the tarpon.
I think the group had around 27 boated with over 40 jumped. There were plenty of fish in the 20 to 40 lbs class with a few bigger ones landed and lost. Its difficult to explain how you can lose a fish but still be happy. To survive the guides barrage of well-meant information, make a cast that you know you are capable of but don’t always, deliver under pressure, miss the mangroves, don’t wrap the tail round the hook etc etc etc, and then actually hit the fish hard as you know you should, only for it to fall off after a few jumps, well, hey do you know what, sometimes it was just great……
The guides were fantastic. We were blessed with 3 very different characters who, by the end of the week, had become good friends with the party, and they certainly put us on the fish.
For the week we were based on Perola, an old German luxury yacht, built around 50 years ago, and perfect for our trip. Comfortable and cool cabins, with plenty of storage for the gear, a spacious deck area to enjoy meals and the sun set, and an attentive and professional crew. The food, mainly fish based, was exceptional. Diving with the crew to help gather the lobsters was an added bonus.
And the fishing? It’s a mix of flats, reef and mangrove. All stunning, and each with its own challenge, offering endless variety. I had set myself the goal of a decent fly caught tarpon. A proper fish that jumped and screamed off into the distance.
I came away with that memory and a lot more. Tarpon, bonefish, jacks, barracuda, and more, all on the fly.
Cuba is a very special place to fish, and to enjoy its challenges with such a great group of anglers seeking the same thrill just adds to the experience. To sit and relive the day with a cold beer or two, look at the pictures as the sun goes down and east fresh fish and lobster, that’s great fishing.
Thanks to the team Fly Odyssey.
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