Fly fishing in Cuba is far different from other destinations in the Caribbean. Only in recent years has this flats fishery been developed, and you are fishing waters that have not seen sport fishing for nearly fifty years. Cuba has given these pristine areas protection as Cuban National Marine Parks, where no commercial fishing is allowed other than for lobster. Flats fish like Tarpon, Permit, Bonefish, Snook, Mutton Snapper, Barracuda, and a variety of Jacks are found in incredible numbers and since the fishing pressure is so light in these areas the fish rarely encounter sport fishermen and are unusually easy to catch.
Think about a place where you can fish more than 100 miles of flats without seeing another fisherman, a place where the flats fishing is so good, you can catch seven species of fish in one day, a place where big bonefish run toward your fly even when it hits the water too hard, rather than streaking off the flat in the other direction, a place where you have a legitimate chance for a Grand Slam every day of the year, a place where big permit are as plentiful as they were in the Florida Keys 30 years ago, a place where you can wade miles of white-sand flats in your bare feet for big bonefish, a place where you’ll find enough big tarpon, jacks, ’cudas, and sharks on the flats to wear you out!
Despite heavy commercial fishing pressure before the ban, Cubas remote archipelagos have remained unspoiled. This Is because they are often situated from 50 to 100 miles off the Cuban coast and are not easily visited, even by the Cuban lobster fishermen. Under the tutelage of several famous guides and anglers, the Cubans have become excellent guides and good fly fishermen. Give them a fly rod and they’ll double-haul a 100-foot cast or show you just how to work a fly to make a bonefish charge and inhale it. They spot fish as well as any of the Caribbean’s best guides and direct your casts from the poling platform. These guides enjoy enthusiastic anglers and love to work long days, allowing you to program your fishing journeys with certain flexibility and based on your preferences
In Avalon’s destinations, there is never any limitation on gas used or distances run in the day. If you want to get out early and fish to dark, you can do it! But the fishing is normally so good and so intense that you’ll be ready to quit in time to be back for cocktails. Although Spanish is the guides’ native tongue, they have all taken classes in English and they communicate surprisingly well with their anglers. They are also in constant training to improve their language skills.