Fly Fishing Destinations

Cayo Romano, Cuba

by Jud Prince

Cuba should be on every fly fishermen’s list. It has tremendous fly fishing destinations, very affordable as destination angling go, easy to get too, very safe, and most importantly the fishing can be spectacular.

I fished Cayo Romano on the northeast end of the island. This fishery is an enormous system of wadable flats, lagoons and pristine estuaries. Located in Jardines del Rey, commercial fishing within this designated area is strictly forbidden and rigorously enforced. That is a land based operation and the accommodations are excellent. Travel there is easy with a non-stop flight to Camaguey and a 2 hour shuttle from there. Yellow Dog travel has offerings at several locations in Cuba. Some are land based and some are live aboard on floating hotel boats. It’s not unusual to get 8-10 permit shots, 10-15 bonefish eats, shots at juvy tarpon, barracuda, jacks, and triggers all in one day. The bones run big. 3-4 pounds are standard and 5-6 pounds and larger are common. There’s a few snook and sharks around too. Then add to that a shore lunch of fresh caught lobster.

Cuba is a very safe place to travel. Customs are easy. The people are incredibly friendly and welcoming and many speak English. They have very little and are poor and jobs in the hospitality and fishing industries are coveted. And they LOVE Americans!

Go completely prepared with back-ups. Don’t expect to find a fly shop or spare rod. Avalon, an Italian company has most of the fly fishing concessions. They’ve been around 30 years. Good poling skiffs and fantastic guides.

I always take some goody bags for the guides which include aspirin, sunscreen, nippers, and other incidentals as they can’t get anything. I asked my guide what he needed when I return in October. He said, “More Americans; tell all your friends to come”.