Hemingway’s Grandsons Visit Cuba on a Mission of Conservation By Martin Aróstegui
Eighty years ago, a young sportsman and
accomplished writer by the name of Ernest Hemingway, organized a trip from Key West to Cojimar, Cuba for the purpose of doing research on Marlin and other highly migratory fish that roamed the Florida Straights. This young writer would end up spending long periods of time in Cuba and falling in love with the beautiful island. Hemingway moored his beloved fishing boat Pilar in the small fishing village of Cojimar, where he became acquainted with the humble fishermen that daily risked their lives to make a living from the sea. The fishing village of Cojimar and the weathered fishermen that became his dear friends provided the inspiration for Hemingway’s classic story “The Old Man and the Sea”. Twenty years later, Hemingway received the Nobel Prize in Literature for this novel, which described the struggles of Santiago in his epic battle with a huge Marlin.
Patrick Hemingway, Dr. Jeffrey Boutwell, Dr. Martin Arostegui and John Hemingway
American delegation with scientists from the University of La Habana This past September, a delegation of scientists, conservationists, writers and fishermen, lead by Hemingway’s grandsons John and Patrick, traveled to Cuba to celebrate the 80th anniversary of Hemingway’s trip to Cuba and the 60th anniversary of his receiving the Nobel Prize in Literature.
The most important goal of the delegation was to establish communication with Cuban scientists in order to bring about greater cooperation among scientists in the conservation of highly migratory fish species such as Marlin and Tunas that roam the Gulfstream between the US and Cuba.
Scientific conference with Dr. Julio Baisre at the National Aquarium. Dr. Julio Baisre giving a scientific presentation to the American Delegation.
Dr. Arostegui discussing satellite tags with scientists at the University of La Habana.
Jose Miguel Diaz Escrich, Commodore of the Hemingway Club, John and Patrick Hemingway
On the first day of our visit, the delegation traveled by boat from the Hemingway Club near Jaimanita to Cojimar. We were astonished to see that the entire fishing village had come out to greet us. The remainder of the week went just a well. The delegation was able to establish strong links with scientists from the University of La Habana and the National Aquarium.
Patrick Hemingway, Fisherman from Cojimar and John Hemingway
John Hemingway with Fishermen from Cojimar
We concluded our visit with a private audience with the US Ambassador Jeffrey DeLaurentis, followed by a very nice reception at his private home.
John Hemingway, US Ambassador Jeffrey DeLaurentis and Patrick Hemingway
American Delegation Members
This writer wishes to thank the Latin America Working Group Education Fund for making this very worthwhile project possible.
John Hemingway y Patrick Hemingway en El Floridita Bar
Martin Arostegui and John Hemingway at El Floridita Bar In the Ernest Hemingway Library, In finca Vigia, at San Francisco de Paula, Havana, Cuba
Visiting finca Vigia, San Francisco de Paula, Havana
Pueblo de Cojimar town welcomes Hemingway’s Grandsons
Restaurant El Aljibe, in Havana
Restaurant La Terraza in Cojimar
El Morro Cojimar
ALASKA ON THE FLY By Pat Ford
My first trip to Alaska was in 1993 and today the fascination with this magical place is still addicting. I’m no sooner home than I’m planning my next trip. Tackle requirements are very simple: 5 or 6 weight rods for the small streams and 9’6” 7 or 8 weights for the big rivers and salmon (10 weights for the kings), floating lines for each plus sink tips for the salmon rods. Over the years, the fly selection has been just about as simple but my last trip brought some surprises. Fly patterns for Alaska depend upon when you go, to a certain degree.
If your visit is from mid-June to mid-July, the rainbows will be feeding on the tiny smolt salmon that are beginning to work their way to the ocean. Smolt flies are microscopic by Alaska standards and must be fished on long light leaders. There are no eggs or flesh in the water so sculpin patterns and big black wooley buggers are the best bet for the bigger ‘bows. There may be some dry fly action but patterns will pretty much depend on which rivers you’re going to be on and each lodge has its own favorites.
During my first few trips we were using wolley buggers and/or egg sucking leach patterns less than two inches in length. Then one year I tied up some big black ‘buggers with bead eyes that were 4+ inches in length and the early season big trout loved them. Sculpin patterns can be in olive or brown tones and again the bigger flies seemed to attract the bigger (over 25�) rainbows.
Unless something very unique is happening, the big rainbows are not going to move out of their favorite hiding place for a smolt or a bug….they’re looking for a real meal, so throw some big food. Nevertheless, I have caught some nice fish in June on flesh flies and Rainbow King Lodge’s favorite, the cotton candy, so it pays to give them a try now and then. I don’t know whether the cotton candy represents an egg cluster or flesh or a combination of both, but its Rainbow King’s go to pattern all season long.
King salmon appear in mid-June and are still fishable in most places through the third week of July. The key to catching Kings on fly is a sinking line and a big, bright pattern on the usual overcast days and a calmer pattern on the rare occasions that the sun is out. Many lodges don’t have access to fly rod kings, so it pays to ask before you book, if they are your primary goal. Sockeyes first appear in late June and are pretty much in full swing most everywhere by July 4. Sockeyes actually look like a salmon when they are fresh from the sea but they do not feed once they enter fresh water. It really doesn’t matter what fly you use for sockeyes but I’ve found that a weighted black leach triggers more strikes that anything else.
In summary, every Alaska fly box needs to have only a few basic patterns (leaches, sculpins, cotton candies and flesh flies) but in several sizes. Beads are always going to be productive, so it’s best to just imagine that they are a local nymph and fish them accordingly. Salmon flies are easy. Use lots of marabou, crystal flash and hot colors with a few dark versions for variety. The new synthetic materials just add to the fun. Check out Rainbowking.com for all the info on my favorite lodge. If you want to go next summer, you have to make your reservation by Christmas.
Dangerous Creatures of the Sea (Part I) By Maria Bello Photos Courtesy of NOAA
There are a number of hazardous creatures in the sea. Many can cause serious harm to unaware or inattentive swimmers. Some may even cause death, although this often depends on the amount of venom used, individual reactions, and nature of injury and location of accidents (deep water victims often drown). These can be group in several categories as:
Sea Anemones and Sea Cucumbers. While most sea anemones are relatively harmless to humans a few do contain strong toxic substances producing quite severe effects. The pelagics are not attached to the bottom; instead, they have a gas chamber within the pedal disc, allowing them to float upside down in the water being moving for the currents reaching the shore line.The mouth, also the anus of the sea anemone, is in the middle of the oral disc surrounded by tentacles armed with many cnidocytes, cells that are both defensive and used to capture prey. Cnidocytes contain stinging nematocysts, capsule-like organelles capable of everting suddenly. Each nematocyst contains a small venom vesicle filled with actinotoxins, an inner filament, and an external sensory hair. A touch to the hair mechanically triggers a cell
explosion, which launches a harpoon-like structure that attaches to the organism that triggered it, and injects a dose of venom in the flesh of the aggressor or prey. This gives the anemone its characteristic sticky feeling. The venom is a mix of toxins, including neurotoxins, that paralyzes the prey so the anemone can move it to the mouth for digestion inside the gastro vascular cavity. Most sea anemones are harmless to humans, but a few highly toxic species have caused severe injuries and are potentially lethal. Although sea cucumbers are one of the safest animals on the reef to touch, they are also known to be venomous animals. The gonads (reproductive glands) of several species of sea urchins may be poisonous during the reproductive period. As their name suggests, sea cucumbers have a cucumber- or sausage-like form. The surface of their body is generally covered with wart-like bumps. Some species have so-called cuvierian tubules in their visceral cavity which
are enlargements of the respiratory tree. These fine and sticky tubules may contain toxins that are expelled when irritated or to deter natural enemies. These toxins can cause blindness if it comes into contact with the eyes.
Biltmore House, N.C.
Photo credit: The Biltmore Company
Located in Asheville, N.C., Biltmore was the vision of George W. Vanderbilt. Designed by Richard Morris Hunt, Biltmore House is a 250-room French Renaissance chateau, exhibiting the Vanderbilt family’s original collection of furnishings, art and antiques. Biltmore estate encompasses more than 8,000 acres including renowned gardens designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, the father of American landscape architecture. Today, Biltmore has grown to include Antler Hill Village, which features the award-winning Winery and Antler Hill Farm; the four-star Inn on Biltmore Estate; Equestrian Center; numerous restaurants; event and meeting venues and Biltmore For Your Home the company’s licensed products division. To learn more about Biltmore, visit www.biltmore.com or call 877-BILTMORE.
House spring
Carriage ride
Winery
Winter garden
Bedroom
Library
Tulips
Conservatory of tulips
Outer Banks White Marlin By Hunter Ledbetter Around the end of August/beginning of September every year, the White Marlin bite takes off in the Outer Banks, North Carolina. I started offshore fishing in the Outer Banks many years ago. I’m retired in Florida now and although it’s one heck of a long drive from Key West to Nags Head, I wanted to get back and have that experience of singing reels from the deck of a big Hatteras sportfisher! My good friend Brant Wise who owns the Swordfish and runs her out of Wanchese and need waiting for the right time to block three days of fishing for himself and when he asked me to join him and get some pictures, well it was impossible to say no! I loaded up the truck and made a little detour on the way to pick up a friend in Ft Myers who has always wanted to catch a Marlin and was more than happy to share the driving.
We got to Nags Head after a full day of driving and got some rest, sleeping with thoughts of jumping White Marlin in our heads!! We greeted the morning at 4AM and started on our way down to the boat. We were load up and heading out the channel at 05:00 for the 2 1/2 run to the fishing. The Swordfish is docked in Wanchese at the OBX marina and it’s a short run through Oregon inlet, we had lines in the water by 8 am . We pulled dredgers and teasers, but all the white marlin hit on ballyhoo (picture of Alysha rigging bait)
After a couple of misses with Blue Marlin, we had our first white on around noon. True to their nature he put on quite a show!
In between Marlin strikes, we had a good bite of Mahi! Alysha got her first marlin and did the honors to creek herself jumping over board!
www.HunterLedbetterPhotos.com
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TAG Heuer Introduces the Guy Harvey Limited Edition Aquaracer Cayman Islands Watch By John Bell A legend in prestige Swiss watchmaking, TAG Heuer, is partnering with premier retailer Kirk Freeport and internationally celebrated marine wildlife artist and scientist Guy Harvey to introduce TAG Heuer Aquaracer Cayman Islands. Three beautiful Aquaracer Limited Editions have been developed with two iconic Guy Harvey drawings—a marlin featured in the men’s version and a sea turtle featured in two ladies’ versions (available with diamonds and without diamonds). Royalties from the sale of the watches go directly to the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation, a non-profit that funds scientific research, education, and best practices for sustainable marine environments. Ever since 1860 TAG Heuer has successfully embraced a number of contrasting elements—heritage, innovation, prestige and performance and sport and glamour. Over a century ago, the company invented the water-resistant case, and as a result helped man to explore the underwater world. The Guy Harvey Limited Edition TAG Heuer Aquaracer timepieces are exclusively available at Kirk Freeport in George Town, www.kirkfreeport.net Kirk Freeport Plaza Ltd. has been a premier retailer of duty free jewellery, watches, fragrances, leather, crystal and china and accessories in the Cayman Islands since 1972.
ANNOUNCING THE DOMINICAN BILLFISH TRIPLE-HEADER TOURNAMENT SERIES By Rick Alvarez
Photos RICHARD GIBSON Dominican Republic October 20, 2014 - The executives of Marina Casa de Campo and Marina Cap Cana, along with the director of Miami, Florida based International Billfish Tournaments, Inc., announced today the creation of the new and unprecedented Dominican Billfish Triple-Header tournament series that will take place for the first time ever during 2015.
As the name indicates, the series will include three legs in which teams/ boats will accumulate points crowning the champions at the conclusion
of the third and final leg. The three legs will take place within three existing very successful billfish tournaments, the Casa de Campo International Blue Marlin Classic in March, the International Cap Cana Billfish Shootout in June and finally the Cap Cana Classic in September. All three events donate part of their proceeds to important recognized Dominican children’s charities. Participating teams will be required to fish at least two of the three legs, will accumulate points in accordance with each leg’s point system, other than registration for each tournament there will be no additional registration fee to compete in the series and they will receive bonus points for each leg they fish. Certified Observers will accompany each participating boat during every fishing day of the series. A perpetual trophy will be created and the names of the winners will be added to the trophy each year, which will reside six months at each of the two marinas.
Incredible numbers of billfish releases have been posted during each area’s fishing seasons so far this year (both marinas require all billfish be released alive for conservation purposes). In Casa de Campo during their January to May season a whopping 855 blue marlin were released by sportfishing boats plus 46 white marlin, 7 sailfish and 1 spearfish. March was the top month there this year with 491 blues released. In Cap Cana as of this writing an incredible 870 blue marlin had been released, 588 of these blues between July and October. In addition, 1,375 white marlin were released with the peak for whites taking place in May and June. Also there have been 47 sailfish and 5 spearfish so far this year. More details about the Dominican Billfish Triple Header will be forthcoming shortly. www.intlbillfishtourns.com https://www.facebook.com/intlbillfish.tournaments
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Roberto Guerra, creator of La Caja China, was presented on the Show “Martha Stewart presents: Secrets of great chefs Grill” which aired popular show on the Hallmark channel and lasted 60 minutes, in Stewart’s farm in New York. The show was attended by Guerra and five renowned chefs, who created and cooked a special recipe of barbecue with Martha Stewart for a private holiday that it celebrated in his farm. “Has been a pleasure working with Martha Stewart.” “It is a very nice person who has all my respect and friendship,” said Roberto Guerra.
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Pedro DĂaz
President and Editor of Sol y Mar Magazine Journalist, editor, writer. Graduated in journalism from the University of Havana, as well as in literature and Germanic languages. He has collaborated on numerous magazines and newspapers from over 15 countries. He has also served as the editor, journalistic director and president of six publications for which he has received international journalism awards. He graduated as a Naval Pilot from the Escuela Superior de Pesca AndrĂŠs Gonzalez Lines, in Cuba. He is also a graduate of the International School of Real Estate. In addition, he has been honored with Proclamations from Miami-Dade County, City of Miami Beach, City of Coral Gables, City of Hialeah Gardens, City of Miami, City of Doral, City of Hialeah, City of West Miami, Town of Medley, and Town of Miami Lakes.
Alberto Borges
Graphic Designer of Sol y Mar Magazine
A graduate of Chemical Engineering and Doctor of Technical Sciences. Technology specialist in glass and ceramics. Developer of several scientific papers related to the industry of glass and ceramics. Computer systems engineer.
Dr. Martín Aróstegui
Travel and Exploration Director of Sol y Mar Magazine Travel and Exploration Director of Sol y Mar Magazine He is a medical doctor by profession who, for many years, worked as a specialist in emergency medicine. His life has been devoted also to professional fishing. Dr. Aróstegui, member of the Board of Trustees of the International Game & Fishing Association (IGFA), is the holder of more than 400 fishing world records, including 200 with fly-fishing equipment, and was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2004. Dr. Arostegui is also a professional photographer specializing in fishing and nature. He is currently the Director of Travel and Exploration for our magazine, for which he travels to different regions of the world to capture with his lens the most beautiful images that human eyes have ever seen.
Pat Ford
Angling Photographer
Pat Ford is considered the best sport fishing photographer in the United States of America. He graduated as a lawyer from the Columbia University School of Law in 1965. He is currently a senior litigation lawyer in the courts of Florida, as well as a photographer with a passion for fishing. Pat Ford has traveled extensively throughout the world and has won 32 world records in several fishing tournaments held by the IGFA. He is the author of “The Best Fly-Fishing Trips Money Can Buy” which tells about different places he would rather go fishing with a fly hook.
The most modern and inn maritime
1
CRUZIN OFFERS FLEXIBLE P2P BOAT RENTAL PERIODS
The fun doesn’t have to stop at the end of the day. Cruzin, America’s leading boater-to-boater rental and charter marketplace, readily accommodates flexible rental periods. This enables members to rent vessels for a few hours up to an entire season, to better match the boating experience they seek. Unlike some traditional fleet boat rental companies, where vessels often must be returned by sunset, Cruzin offers many choices. www.cruzin.com
novative technology of the e industry
2
CUSTOM EXHAUST SYSTEM SOLVES BUOYANCY PROBLEM
Following a repower and a bottom refit, the 73’ Donzi Wench experienced severe buoyancy problems caused by its wet exhaust system. This well-known 1998 tournament sportfish convertible risked swamping when the vessel was loaded. Called upon to design a solution, the technical experts at Marine Exhaust Systems installed a custom underwater exhaust that now allows Wench to safely run fast and ha www.marine-exhaust.com
3
CUSTOM EXHAUST SYSTEM QUIETS LIVELY SPORTFISHER
American Custom Yachts president Dominick LaCombe knows every component is important when it comes to making fine and fast vessels. His new 90’ custom sportfisher C’est La Vie pushes the power package envelope, with nearly 9,300 hp at his command to fly across the waves at almost 48 knots. The beefy twin MTU diesels require precision-engineered exhaust systems to handle high temperatures in scant available engine room space. To optimize performance and help tame noise aboard C’est La Vie, LaCombe turned to Marine Exhaust Systems. www.marine-exhaust.com
4
GYRO LETS SHARK VIEWERS ENJOY EVERY EXCITING MINUTE
Guests on Australia’s Calypso Star Charters cage diving expeditions can now focus their attention on encountering great white sharks, rather than on struggling to keep their footing. A Seakeeper M26000 gyro stabilizer refit on the 65’ Calypso Star II has improved guest safety and comfort onboard. While the vessel is underway or anchored, and during critical shark cage operation, the gyro creates a stable platform. This makes for happier customers and enables more operating days for Calypso Star Charters, adding to the business’ profitability. South Australia’s Calypso Star Charters offers spectacular close-up views of great white sharks on its exclusive shark cage diving day tours out of Port Lincoln. A three-hour cruise leads to crystal clear waters near the Neptune Islands, where customers enjoy thrilling observation prospects underwater in a six-person cage and on the boat’s huge upper deck. www.seakeeper.com
5
KAYAK ANGLER THANKS TORQEEDO FOR BIG CATCH
Kayak angler James Van Pelt recently hit an incredible milestone by catching a 300 lb. goliath grouper from his electric Hobie eVolve kayak powered by Torqeedo’s Ultralight kayak motor. After a 15-20 minute struggle, he claimed victory and contributed part of his success to the Torqeedo electric motor. The Torqeedo motor may not have hooked the fish, but it helped keep Van Pelt in the best position to do so. “The Sanibel Causeway is one of the busiest areas for boat traffic in Southwest Florida,” said Van Pelt. “The Caloosahatchee River empties out into the Gulf of Mexico and as a result we experience some of the roughest conditions and strongest currents in the area. The Torqeedo Motor is worth its weight in gold. It helped me maneuver into position and stay there despite wind and current, which normally wreak havoc on us kayakers.” www.torqeedo.com
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SEA RAY AND SEAKEEPER USHER IN A NEW BOATING ERA
With the introduction of its all-new L-Class in February, Sea Ray ushered in a new era for luxury yachting. The L-Class delivers an unprecedented level of customer service and a peerless combination of craftsmanship and design innovation. And with its flagship L650 Fly, Sea Ray marks a milestone in the evolution of boating as the first serialized production builder to standardize Seakeeper gyro stabilizers, providing an optimal marine experience. Seakeeper is a global leader in gyro stabilization systems, with more than 1,500 installations on recreational, commercial and military vessels. Seakeepers virtually eliminate resonant roll whether a boat is underway, or at slow speed or zero speed.
New for 2014 from Stackpole Books Ultimate Guide to Fishing South Florida on Foot Steve Kantner $29.95 Paperback 288 pages 250 color photos 20 b/w maps 6x9 978-0-8117-1253-8
“I have been lucky to fish with Steve in [many] places. The most unusual was in a canal coursing through downtown Ft. Lauderdale where we caught grass carp weighing nearly 20 pounds on a special fly Steve had developed just for this fishing.” —from the foreword by Lefty Kreh
“A guide like this is long overdue, but it’s been worth the wait. A lifetime of fishing adventures awaits between these covers. Kudos to Kantner for an encyclopedic, enlightening, and entertaining job well done.” —Glenn Law, editor, Salt Water Sportsman
This book and other Stackpole fishing titles are available from booksellers and fly shops nationwide.
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