A trip to remember, into Cuba and Florida targeting the Silver Kings, Tarpon..

Cuba is a land lost in the past, buildings falling down, old Chevy’s driving the city streets, horse and cart out in the country roads.But not boat transport, Dolphin skiffs and Yamaha outboards for us, the guides were great, keen, friendly and knew their area very well.
The accommodation was clean and comfortable and better than expected after seeing much of Cuba. The house staff was also very efficient, helpful and good fun.

 All of our anglers got flies stuck into Tarpon every day, landing them was a bit different, but after you put the hook into one and he cartwheels for the next, what seems like forever but it only a few seconds and then jumps off you lose all concern for boating one.

Our better fish boated for the week were around the 40-50 lbs, everyone got at least one that size in for a photo, the best landed about 70lb the biggest hooked over 100.

A few other species were boated but not really targeted, Bonefish, Snook, Jack Crevalle and Mutton Snapper.
The Tarpon fishing consisted of tight and shallow mangrove situations, wide open flats and deep channels. Depending on the tide and weather as to where you fished at any time of the day.

The best day Gavin Adams fishing by himself got the hooks into 17 Tarpon and landed 4 all between 25 and 50 pounds.

Roly Newton and myself left the guys after Cuba and headed for Florida, we had a few days to look around the Keys, before heading to West Florida to chase migratory Tarpon.

A single day at the Key, with Eric Van De Mark we found some Tarpon straight up in the morning but then battled wind and cloud for the next few hours, Eric convinced us to leave the Tarpon and chase a Bonefish. Eric has the bones wired, he put us on a flat that had big Bonefish pouring over it. In a few hours we had multiple shot at big fish, many into double figures.

Unfortunately time restrains had us leaving the Keys heading the West Florida to chase again the Kings, on our first day we struggled a bit with early cloud and anglers that were a bit in awe at the sight of a dozen plus strings of monster Tarpon swimming straight at them. Despite being chased by a storm it would be our best day, we got bites from 5 fish, busting one off on a jump, pulling the hook on two, jumping one off and landing one. The landed fish 80 pounds, all the other fish were of similar size and we saw fish up to 130.

Day two and three where a wash out and our guide did his best it horrible conditions, day 4 out came the sun, but because of the last two days of rough seas and strong winds Christian thought the fish would be laid up and not moving, he was right.

However at the end of the day a couple started to move and one of those found my fly and eat it. 100 pounds plus.

All of these fish were sight cast, lead and had to be convinced that the little fly was something they really had to have, difficult but the rewards are worth it.

Our last day Preston, took us chasing Redfish, what a great fishery. Shallow, clear water, poling through grass in a tiny skiff making light presentations to dozens of fish, we all got one on fly and had a fun time doing it. We’ll be back to do all that again as soon as I’m allowed out of the house. The guys look after us like brothers and we can only hope to visit them again one day soon.

Australian Flyfishing Outfitters are presently working with several companies to offer Australian fly anglers trips tailored to suit their needs. So if you see something here that interests you send us an email or give myself or Nat a call and we'll make it happen.

Good fishing,
Dave Bradley