Fly Fishing Cuba

I will be hosting a trip along with John Huber whom I work with to Jardines de la Reina, Cuba next February aboard the Avalon II. I just got back from Jardines and can say from the staff to the guides to the Jardines de la Reina Marine Archipelago, this is an incredible trip. I am also very glad I spent an extra day in Havana as there is a lot to see there including taking an old taxi to Hemingway's house, walking Old Havana, listening to Cuban music, etc. Email me with inquiries: ndprice@cox.net

Jardines de la Reina is a protected marine archipelago located about 60 miles off the south coast of Cuba. It encompasses over 860 square miles and is approximately 170 km's long. One of the unique features is the complete lack of fishing pressure. Avalon is the only entity with permission to fish this area other than a few lobster fishermen. Staying on the Avalon II allows quick access to the fishing grounds.

Jardines de la Reina, Cuba after sunset.

Avalon II & Skiffs. Jardines de la Reina, Cuba

Portraits Of Cuban Fly Fishing Guides

I took the images below aboard the Avalon II in Jardines De La Reina, Cuba. While I was only guided by two of the 6 guides pictured, I was able to spend some time talking with all of them. As the trip progressed we all warmed up to each other a bit more and by the last day I was able to, using my aging Spanish, get to know them more.

Each and every one of them was a genuine and friendly person. Three of them are brothers and were all raised in JĆŗcaro, the closest town to Jardines. Their father was a fisherman and taught them the ropes including the Jardines De La Reina Marine Archipelago.

Of the six pictured guides two of them had never been to Havana before and all but one had only been to the capital a few times. Travel, including domestic trips, is considered very expensive. Not one of the guides owns his own fly rod. All of their personalities make up for their lack of possessions.

Bemba, Keko & Titi. Brothers with 18, 19 and 14 years respectively of guiding this area under their belts.

Keko. The oldest of the three brothers at 42 was one of my two guides. I would fish with Keko anytime as he's a great person and guide. He knocked on my door one morning at 4:30 saying, "Tarpon?" None of us could say no and we began a fishing day under starlight.

Keko may have been surprised after I caught a bonefish when I asked him if he could hold the fish for a pic.

Titi. The youngest of the three brothers and another one of my two guides.

Bemba. Calm and what appeared to be the most respected guide on this trip by the other guides including his two brothers.

Bemba

LƔzaro.

Leonardo

Juan Carlo. The Cuban casting National Champion. He also holds the current Cuban record for casting distance which is 36 meters using an 8 weight and floating line.

From Havana To Jardines De La Reina, Cuba

One of the first things I noticed about Cuba was how relatively clean it is. With the exception of La Habana Vieja, and a few other neighborhoods in Havana, Cuba really is clean of trash. On my flight to Havana I sat next to a beautiful young Cuban woman who sometimes sang as she listened to music on her Discman and gazed out the window at remote cays somewhere south of Cuba. She told me a lot about Cuba on this short flight but what I will never forget is when she looked at me with a genuine smile and said, "I am very proud of my country." From Havana to JĆŗcaro to the guides and staff aboard the Avalon II where I was a guest for 6 nights, the people of Cuba seemed genuine despite their impoverished conditions and what surprised me the most, their universal sense of pride.

This was the only baseball I saw being played in the streets of Havana. These kids though were super eager to have me photograph them.

Baseball bats are worth their weight in gold on Havana streets.

A Havana Street

I stumbled across these kids and their grandmother one morning in Havana.

The grandmother seemed super pleased I was taking their picture.

Above is a slideshow of Havana and a few images of central Cuba and the south coast town of JĆŗcaro.

Jardines De La Reina Barracuda

Bemba, Keko & Titi. All brothers and great guides as well.

A dreamy Jardines De La Reina bonefish flat

Anglers Journal

There's a relatively new print publication out there called Anglers Journal. It's a quarterly publication with an emphasis on salt but also includes freshwater.

Here is the new cover for the winter 2015 issue. What I really like about this publication is the focus on people/faces/personalities of fishing. While there is not a dedicated web site that I know of, you can subscribe to (it's worth it!) Anglers Journal.

In the latest issue, Winter 2015, I have new work featuring Salmon River Steelhead. Below is the lead image:

Anglers Journal Winter 2015 Issue

South Fork Of The Boise River. Winter.

With temps forecast to be well above freezing yesterday a few of us decided to make a quick run over to The South Fork of The Boise. I had not been there since prior to the fire in the summer of 2013. While there are certainly some major changes to the river, the South Fork still has the same mojo it's always had with me; the potential for large rainbows and even rising fish in the heart of winter.

Winter. South Fork Of The Boise River

Zac Mayhew reaches out for a South Fork rainbow.

Silver Creek Alpine Glow

The image below was taken yesterday of Silver Creek just before the sun dipped below the horizon. The lower reaches have been frozen over from the recent cold which has been exacerbated by an inversion making it far colder in Picabo than in Ketchum or even the top of Baldy (Sun Valley Ski Area).

Alpine Glow. Silver Creek Near Picabo, Idaho. Winter

East Oxbow Silver Creek

Recent cold temps coupled with a wicked inversion have made it downright chilly on Silver Creek near Picabo, Idaho. Silver Creek, pictured below, was completely frozen over near Picabo.

East Oxbow

A Christmas BBQ

We had a great snowfall on Christmas Eve and friends and family made a fire pit outside and grilled our dinner. Jackets still reek of smoke and we may have eaten a little later than planned but it was well worth the effort...

Moody Winter Day

It was a moody winter day today with storm totals in the 10" - 12" range in the Ketchum area. I shot down to Silver Creek this am to throw streamers for a bit. High temps above 32 degrees made for a bit of rain near Picabo. Silver Creek is flowing low and clear and cloudy days are generally the best streamer days...

Silver Creek, Idaho. Winter

Winter Range. Elk near Gannett, Idaho.

Fly Tying Table.

Foam Is Home

Here's an image taken of a rainbow pushing through a foam eddy on the Big Wood River a few days ago. Days with high temps above 32 degrees can be gems on the Big Wood in the winter. It's even possible to find rising fish... 

Winter Riser. Big Wood River, Idaho

Winter Riser. Big Wood River, Idaho

Santa Barbara Beach Portraits

Here are some portraits of my family from a recent trip to Santa Barbara. I am really looking forward to some upcoming trips including to Cuba and New Zealand this winter. Taking portraits of all kinds of people along the way will be a priority on those trips... There is a lot to be said to stopping and talking to someone and taking the time to hear a snippet of their story and hopefully getting an image of them that speaks to their personality and place.

Santa Barbara. After Sunset

Butterfly Beach