Dave Posted December 13, 2023 Report Share Posted December 13, 2023 Decided to tie up some different patterns for Cuba this winter.I've already got lots of Tan Crab patterns so decided Olive green would be the next choice..Also a few micro sized crabs for the lagoon..My first attempt at a glue together fly tedious to build to say the least...Hopefully it wont blow apart casting.A few Barracuda flys at the top and some gotcha variations top right.. boogaloo, Bubba14 and Surf and Turf 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tyler0420 Posted December 13, 2023 Report Share Posted December 13, 2023 Those are some amazing flys. Great job on them. Good luck on the trip. Looking forward to some pics Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deetch Posted December 13, 2023 Report Share Posted December 13, 2023 Cuba has some of the most beautiful beaches, the only downfall is the food SUCKS! Tyler0420 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted December 13, 2023 Author Report Share Posted December 13, 2023 7 minutes ago, deetch said: Cuba has some of the most beautiful beaches, the only downfall is the food SUCKS! I've been to Cuba so many times I can work a Cuban buffet and eat like a king.But I agree if you can't adapt not the place for you.I get budget guiding in the Lagoons for $200 USD and can get in some diy.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smerchly Posted December 14, 2023 Report Share Posted December 14, 2023 Dave , nice work on those flies , very life like , I hope you have great success with them . What's wrong with the food there , no meat & potatoes ? Any McDons or pizza/sub-fish'n chips shops ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tyler0420 Posted December 14, 2023 Report Share Posted December 14, 2023 2 hours ago, smerchly said: What's wrong with the food there I don’t think they use spice. The food is very bland and probably low quality. Best food I found was burgers from the bar. im sure Dave knows how to get around a bit more than We did. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smerchly Posted December 14, 2023 Report Share Posted December 14, 2023 Remind me to take some spices to Cuba Ty. Dave ...Cuba is known for fishing for bonefish . I see many like using their fly rods for the ultimate challenge . I also see they can go up to 15 lbs. , what a blast to tangle with one of those fish that go ballistic ! This link is one of many showing some favorite spots to fish for them ......look very inviting ! https://www.lovecuba.com/blog/bonefishing-in-cuba/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted December 15, 2023 Author Report Share Posted December 15, 2023 Yes Smerch the Bonefish in Cuba can get big.They are also extremely spooky and can run at 40 mph..Typical water depth for fishing is knee to ankles.A 5-6lb. fish can open up your hook if the drag is set too tight...The fish at the top is a Mutton Snapper.I never new you could catch them in the shallows.Fights as good as a Bonefish but different.. Surf and Turf, smerchly and Tyler0420 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smerchly Posted December 15, 2023 Report Share Posted December 15, 2023 Very clear water , reminds me of sight fishing for carp with a fly rod . lol I suppose the rods are long, light and flexible to handle those speed demons as I see in the photo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted January 2 Author Report Share Posted January 2 So happens Cuba was having some of its worse cold fronts in 20 years according to some..This made some of the fish disappear in certain areas.Fishing was tough, cold water, and lots of wind...Add Christmas and my buddies birthday to the mix I didn't get out a whole lot...Last day with the guide made up for everything, landed 6 and dropped another 3.Mostly respectable sized Bones in the Lagoons and hit one small Cuda.As always I learned a lot about stalking fish on the flats... Tyler0420 and Bubba14 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smerchly Posted January 2 Report Share Posted January 2 Nice to see you had a good successful trip to Cuba Dave . Those bones look like a cross between a sucker and silver bass ....with an attitude . I noticed the "protection" on the legs ...from critters (jellyfish) ? And the sunglasses (polarized) are a must to spot the bones in the bright sun . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted January 2 Author Report Share Posted January 2 I don't mess around now, ever since I had some skin cancer removed from my face..Now I wear swim tights under my shorts.I also have neoprene socks that come up to lower calf, as well as Saltwater flats boots.I have very little skin exposed now..I've also been stung by jellyfish in the lagoons so I'm hoping the swim tights will be an extra protective layer.. All you fisherman should be wearing SPF 50 sunscreen and protective sun clothing.Skin cancer doesn't show up until latter in life.Trust me many friends and relatives have had it.I dress almost the same way in Lake Erie when I'm in the kayak now.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smerchly Posted January 2 Report Share Posted January 2 50 minutes ago, Dave said: I don't mess around now, ever since I had some skin cancer removed from my face..Now I wear swim tights under my shorts.I also have neoprene socks that come up to lower calf, as well as Saltwater flats boots.I have very little skin exposed now..I've also been stung by jellyfish in the lagoons so I'm hoping the swim tights will be an extra protective layer.. All you fisherman should be wearing SPF 50 sunscreen and protective sun clothing.Skin cancer doesn't show up until latter in life.Trust me many friends and relatives have had it.I dress almost the same way in Lake Erie when I'm in the kayak now.. I had a piece of my left ear grafted to my nose about 5 years ago . It was a painful ordeal getting those needles in my ear and nose . I will be going to the hospital Jan .3 to get sutures removed from my left ear after a small cancerous lump was removed over 2 weeks ago . I have been fishing with a Tilley hat that covers the ears but still got skin cancer . I was told many people (truckers) get it while driving as the sun hits the left side of the face and arms . I went for a hearing test and the lady spotted the open sore and my doctor said to see a dermatologist who confirmed it was cancer , then off to see Dr, Bush ,a well known plastic surgeon , same doc who did my nose . As I stated previously we need to be careful while playing in the sun ! Thanks for the update Dave and be well . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tyler0420 Posted January 2 Report Share Posted January 2 Nice trip Dave. Glad you got into some fish. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tyler0420 Posted January 2 Report Share Posted January 2 2 hours ago, Dave said: So happens Cuba was having some of its worse cold fronts in 20 years according to some..This made some of the fish disappear in certain areas.Fishing was tough, cold water, and lots of wind...Add Christmas and my buddies birthday to the mix I didn't get out a whole lot...Last day with the guide made up for everything, landed 6 and dropped another 3.Mostly respectable sized Bones in the Lagoons and hit one small Cuda.As always I learned a lot about stalking fish on the flats... Awesome pics Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted January 2 Author Report Share Posted January 2 Thanks, probably going back in April. Its getting harder every year to fish southern Ontario in the winter 😆 smerchly 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bubba14 Posted January 2 Report Share Posted January 2 That's a great trip right there! Where in Cuba were you Dave? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted January 3 Author Report Share Posted January 3 Cayo Coco. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted April 16 Author Report Share Posted April 16 Some new patterns going back to Cuba..Kind of excited about the Bastard Crab with the legs tied top side.Should have great action on the drop.More of the usual Gotcha style patterns but with more hot colours added... Bubba14 and smerchly 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tyler0420 Posted April 16 Report Share Posted April 16 Awesome looking flys Dave. Good luck in Cuba. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted April 16 Author Report Share Posted April 16 Thanks Tyler, I think it will be my last trip there for a while.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smerchly Posted April 16 Report Share Posted April 16 Great looking flies Dave , they will catch fish anywhere ! Are they streamer size ? During my past 81+ years I have only been east to the Maritimes once , Thunder Bay 3 times and Fort Lauderdale Fl. once . Too many would have's should have's and a little late in the game now . I wish you good luck and looking forward to seeing how your flies performed . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted April 17 Author Report Share Posted April 17 Smerchly those flys are 2 inches and under... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted April 29 Author Report Share Posted April 29 Fishing was tough this time..I can't say I spotted a lot of fish but it can change on a daily basis...Some of the fish I saw were spooky as hell. As usual a lot of blown casts that should have been on target...Next trip I really have to spend way more time practising before I go, but I say that every time..You make the slightest mistake and you usually blow your shot..This was the best fish I got on a guided trip. A couple of days latter I landed one NINE POUNDS +/- on the local diy flats !!!!!!! Overall not many fish but the big one might be a once in a lifetime fish.... Tyler0420, Bubba14 and Surf and Turf 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tyler0420 Posted April 29 Report Share Posted April 29 Beautiful fish. Must be such an adrenaline rush when you hook up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.