http://www.avalons.net

Angling Publications - Index

Angling Publications - Magazine - Index

CUBA
20
• Cayo Largo Del Sur
• Avalon Fishing and Diving Center
Cayo Largo is located in the pristine Canneras Archipelago
off Cuba’s southern coast. Three major archipelagos, all in
protected national parks, combine to provide incredible protection
for a plethora of endemic and migratory game fish.
This is the finest green-water (flats-style) fly fishing on earth.
A few visionary men from Northern Italy have succeeded in
putting together these island chains, creating sanctuary for
our most prestigious game fish and one of the world’s most
compelling marine conservation achievements.
This is the world’s best fly fishing for bonefish, tarpon,
mutton snapper, and possibly permit. Other prolific species
include snook, jacks, snappers, grouper, barracuda, shark,
mackerel, and tuna. My favorite green-water successes occurred
here. Without exaggeration, I’ve caught fish from dawn
to dusk—numbering over 100 on several occasions—until
my guide became concerned about my health!
As incredible as the fishing is, it continues to improve
each year. The elimination of commercial fishing and the remoteness
have increased the numbers and sizes. The number
of species available here is staggering. Divers and scientists
associated with the National Geographic Society discovered
numerous new species here several years ago. The reefs are
possibly the most pristine on earth.
Shallow, green water and white sands are the standard here.
Rare wildlife is abundant, including giant black cayman, jutea,
leatherback, green and olive Ridley turtles, eagles, iguana,
spiny-tailed lobster, sea urchins, and conch. You can also dive
amongst 600-pound jewfish and rare whale sharks.
Avalon Fishing and Diving Center started years ago as a
mostly dive oriented destination at incomparable Jardines de
la Reina. Years later, Isla de la Juventud was added. Now, Cayo
Largo has completed the triumvirate. Fishing conditions vary
greatly with cays, channels, reefs, flats, coral, different grasses,
and the like, but for the prepared angler, this is the top flats
destination . . . like the Keys were 100 years ago.
Permit average 27 pounds, and both juvenile and 100+
pound tarpon are available. Once I landed 37 tarpon in
one day. Formerly the most prestigious denizen to catch
on the flats, mutton snapper are now rare in Florida. I’d
only caught two in my entire career . . . until catching 17
here in one day.
Guests at Cayo Largo stay ashore at the all-inclusive
Sol Club, or fish from a comfortable, live-aboard vessel.
Attention to detail is amazing, and the cuisine is simply
incredible. Rates run from $3,900 to $4,900/week double
occupancy, all inclusive from Havana. Additional information
is available, and reservations can be booked, on
Avalon’s website at www.avalons.net by Tom Boyd
TOM BOYD PHOTOS