The FlyFish Journal Issue 7.4

I'm excited to have a bunch of work in the new The FlyFish Journal including a feature (photography only) on Cuba. The Cuba piece was shot last February on a trip to Havana and the Cuban marine archipelago, Jardines De La Reina. It was my second trip there.
The piece was written by Sarah Grigg who happened, I believe, to have done the same trip as me a month prior.

A feature story (photography) in issue 7.4, summer 2016, of The FlyFish Journal on Cuba. Written by Sarah Grigg.

Here's a larger version of the above image. The shot was taken along the Malecon in Havana on a relatively cool winter's day. I like that the driver is looking forward and that the hand of the driver's side passenger is slightly visible.

Malecon. Havana, Cuba. 2016.

Jardines de La Reina Cuba I

Planes, boats and automobiles. I just got back from my second trip down to Cuba and Jardines de La Reina marine archipelago. For a country that is located so close to the US, it's still two entire travel days to get from my home in Idaho to Jardines. Is it worth it? If you are dying to get to Cuba and visit Havana for a few days and you also happen to love saltwater flats fishing your answer is probably yes. Things can go wrong in Cuba beyond the standard food poisoning though. Hotel reservations lost. Unplanned and long travel delays. Stolen luggage at the airport. Don't get me wrong, Cuba is a relatively safe country but these kinks seem to be more prevalent in Cuba than elsewhere.

If you are willing to cope with these relatively benign, albeit painstakingly frustrating, bumps in the road you may find that fishing uncrowded flats with just your friends in sight is well worth the hassle. Also, Cuba is bound to change with the increased interest, mainly among Americans, to visit. Major changes seem imminent and getting a glimpse now or even a few years ago will undoubtedly be substantially different than whatever the Havana will be in 15 or so years.

With all of that said, bumps in the road often lead to better stories and wilder memories... I have just started to sort through my images from the trip and here are just a few. Double-Click any of the images to enlarge:

Bonefish

Winds were 55 knots on our way back from Jardines.

Woman. JĆŗcaro, Cuba.

Young girl. JĆŗcaro, Cuba.

Bar. JĆŗcaro.

Sunset and horizon. Jardines de La Reina.

A bow to the tarpon. Eric Lyon hooked up in the mangroves.

Artist Ed Anderson strums his custom, tarpon-skin ukulele. Jardines de La Reina.


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

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