Avalon, Cuban Fishing Centers

Thought you might like a short story to support my November grand slam.

There are no guarantees when it comes to taking a permit on the fly, you need perseverance the ability to stay cool even when the adrenaline is putting you in the ultimate fishing high, and above all you need a good guide. Day 3 of our November week at Jardines de la Reina and with my good friend Richard, and our long term Cuban friend and guide we were on our quest for our 6th Cuban grand slam.

Days 1 and 2 had given us at least 9 good shots at permit all to no avail, not hungry, dont like the fly, casting to close and spooking the fish. With permit you just have to take all of this in your stride.

So on day 3 at 8:30am when we all saw permit number 10 tailing and feeding in the shoreline among a mass of coral heads and with me at the front of the skiff, i took some deep breaths to steady my nerve and (our guide) positioned the skiff to give me my best shot.We could clearly see the permit 40ft away,head down grubbing and feeding in the coral. (Our guide) instructed me to cast as close as possible to the head. The first cast was to much to the right, ":hit, cast again" he urged, and this time the Mureo shrimp was right on the button."slow strip, stop" I saw the fish move onto the fly and when slowly i striped again and felt the tension on the line i strip struck and we were hooked up. With the permit now screaming away and (our guide) calling to me "Jack rod high wind wind" as he poled after the permit. I have been in this situation before and knew that the permit would head for the coral heads so i released the drag to minimum tension to avoid being cut off. My hopes of landing the fish sunk as i felt the backing rubbing on the coral and the tension on the line going tight.

Without hesitation (our guide) leapt down fro the poling platform, threw of his hat, kicked of his shoes and has he dived over the front of the skiff he called for Richard to drive the skiff !!

Three times he dived to free the snagged line and with Richard expertly driving the skiff we soon were back in control and we had (our guide) and a 20lb permit in the skiff. We all gave a cheer of relief.

Then we realised we did not have the $2000 carbon composite Stiffy Pole in the skiff, fortunately they float and we recovered it some 70 yds away!

When I started this story I overlooked that in a situation like this it helps a hell of a lot if you have a fishing buddy who stays calm and can drive a skiff!

Two hours later we had the bonefish and the tarpon, grand slam done and dusted.

And for the rest of our 5 man group, Barry on only his second saltwater trip got a baby permit, a bonefish and a tarpon for a grand slam and Bill got a 15lb permit and just failed to get his tarpon to get him a grand slam.

And on our last morning, 40 minutes before we were due to get back to the Halcon for our return to the Cuban mainland, with me again at the front of the skiff, I got anther permit of 15lbs.

Great fishing and great team work at a wonderful location, thank you Jardines de la Reina, thank you guide and Richard, we will be coming back.

Jack