Struck Gold... Rainbow or Palomino !!

Graham , struck gold while fishing with guide David King of That Fly Fly Fishing. With a well placed fly Graham made a firm lift to hit gold.... or is that Palomino...!
Fishing Meon Springs, this specimen put up a robust fight before coming to the net and topped the scale at +6lbs..

Permit fishing Cayo Cruz/Romano- Cuba

CUBA- Cayo Cruz/Romano 

Having  just returned from the Cuban north shore of Cayo Cruz/Romano.  I can only say you have to see it to believe it…. 

The pristine flats are a wash with the most perfectly clear waters and with a mix of sand and grassy flat that seem endless, there are more square miles of fishing than you could possibly walk in a lifetime.

Our lodge La Casona De Romano, (run by Avalon , ) is a beautiful building,  maintained to a great standard, clean and very comfortable,  it is hosted by an enthusiastic team that are focused on your every need.  All inclusive meant only a small amount of cash was required for a celebratory drink or two, (Havana Club Mojito’s being the perfect compliment).

Days commence following your wake up call and after breakfast it was into the transport for the journey to the boats, which are moored at Cayo Cruz some 50k away. Along the route you capture a real feeling for Cuban life as the early work force make there way to pick up points for their daily troop to work.  After twenty minutes your passage continues through the check point and along the huge causeway that penetrates its way through Cayo Romano to Cayo Cruz. Flanked by water we would often see, Flamingo, Spoon Bill and a myriad  of other features along the route.

On arrival at the dock, you are warrmly greeted by your guides,  who, following a quick chat will have you in your skiff ready and on your way to your fishing zone. ( Zone = colossal flats that only you and he fish for the day).  

Beautiful Permit one of two during the week

The fishing available at Cayo Cruz / Romano covers one of the most extensive areas anywhere in the Caribbean.  The vast number of flats are protected from the north by a string of Cays, collectively known as Jardines del Rey (Garden of the King).

The Cays, are literally uninhabited and apart from your boat partner and guide you are unlikely to see anyone else while out on the water.  Cayo Cruz / Romano is therefore the perfect habitat for bonefish, tarpon and permit.  Made up a series of mangrove lagoons and flats that run for hundreds of kilometres, most flats, of white sand interspersed with turtle grass and mangrove are ideal for those who want to wade or fish from the skiff.

The flats and Cays are extremely rich in crustacean life, which enable both the bonefish and permit to exceed the sizes found elsewhere around the Caribbean.



Large Bonefish were encountered daily

Deeper channels provide perfect areas for tarpon to feed on the shoals of sardines but when the tides are right these fish will move onto the flats where there will be the opportunity of sight casting to these feisty creatures.

But Cayo Cruz / Romano is best known for its large bonefish, and permit, as well as other species such as jacks and barracuda. Bonefish are commonly found in the range 5 -10 lbs, ( our trip nothing less than 4lb and a magic 10lb for one of the group )  Permit from 10lb to much larger specimens are frequently encounter, and  Tarpon from 20 - 150 lbs. 



Blessed with a 2nd Permit for the week, this one took the famous Avalon fly, presented on RIO's tropical quick shooter

As the fishing day draws to a close your transfer (cold beer at the ready) will be waiting to return you to La Casona for a Mojito or two while you celebrate your day .

Dinner is generally from 7.30pm onwards and includes complimentary wine with dinner, before retiring back to the bar for additional drinks which you can added to your bar tab for the week.

Cayo Cruz/Romano is a must try location for any Saltwater fly enthusiast and frankly ranks as one of the top Permit area in the world.  

Check out :

Avalon

Go Fishing Worldwide 

Or drop me a line/call if you would like to know  more. david@thatfly.co.uk 

WTT Three Fly comp 2014

www.wildtrout.org

This years Wild Trout three fly competition takes place 21 of June 2014 at Meon Springs Trout Fishery..   Three flies to tempt and catch a trout for points, this competition will provide a true test of your skills.  An important fund raiser and enjoyable day in memory of  Pasco James.

I am proud to have experienced and have been fortunate enough to have won the 2013 event.  If you would like to enter or simply know more,  then please follow the link to  :

 http://www.wildtrout.org/news/3-fly-challenge-meon-springs-2162014

Sonik SK4 XTR Fly Rod

On a recent blog I commented on the fantastic new XTR reel, well here is a view of the new Sonik SK4XTR fly rod.  As with all Sonik's, the rod arrived in the robust cordura zip top tube which is clearly marked with the discription, size and rod rating.  Inside a neatly sectioned cloth sleeve ensures sound protection for the rod within.
First views of the sections imediately lift the spirt, a well finished blank of olive gloss set off some very fine gold highlighting to the whips.  Rod connections are very neat with the now standard "dot to dot" alignment system , a great aide for a swift set up. I had the 9ft 5/6 rod which for a middle to tip action has a surprisingly fast action that delivered some very tight loops,  yet it remained forgiving enough to recover the odd waver or miscast .  The rod delivered well at both short and medium range, but, it simply sung with absolute ease when delivering a long line. I was using Snowbee's XS plus. 
The rod which comes in 4 sections, is a great all round stillwater rod, and well worth considering if your looking for a step up to a faster action. A powerful blank with sensitivity, its a perfect transition rod for advancing and experienced anglers.

'Nano Tech' by Snowbee

Nano , Nano!   no,  not a re-run of Mork and Mindy.... !!!
This nano is the new GEO 'Nano Technology' from Snowbee, if you have not tried one,  then I suggest you do at the next opportunity.
While fishing a group of beginners, I had the chance to try the rod during a lunch break. The first thing that stood out was the effortless ability to deliver a straight precise line. So light and balanced it is a rod that you could simply cast and cast with.  Next is the quality of the rod, finished to a very high standard the beautiful gunmetal grey and matching whips are finely presented and when the 4 sections connect (with the aid of dot to dot) you have a fantastic casting tool.
Snowbee suggest the blank to be as close to 'unbreakable' in normal use as possible and frankly with the feel of this rod I believe them.  So impressive, I bought the 6wt the very next day. (The rod you won't want to put down) !!!