Just returned from a great trip to Cayo Paredon, Cuba. I traveled with 8 anglers and 5 non anglers. Flight from Miami to Camaguey is an easy 90 minutes and then 2 ½ hour bus ride to our resort for the week. We were immediately met by our fishing manager Yoel with cold mojitos. We then discussed tides, weather and guide assignments for the week.
The marina is a 10 minute ride from the hotel and each morning an electric golf car zipped us out there. The area is secure and manned 24 hours a day, so we were able to leave all our tackle there each day and not lug it back and forth.
One of the main attractions that lead me to choose Paredon was the advertised numerous hard wadable flats. Right off the bat this was clearly true and each day anglers spend between 1/3 to ½ the day wading if so desired. The bonefish here are plentiful and range from small dinks to 8–10 pound monsters.
Targeting them while walking is one of my favorite ways to fish. One highlight for me was sharing the skiff with my wife Tanya for the first time and watching her land two bonefish. Another was landing a nice bone on a fly I tied with shop mascot Jasper’s fur.
Most folks had at least a couple shots at permit but our group landed only 1 for the week. There were a few resident tarpon around this time of year and our group landed three in the 20# class. I hooked three myself including one with a permit crab on 16# test but they all spit the hook.
Another neat thing about this area is the option to target triggerfish. We saw them most days and I had one eat three times but did not hook up. Our East Coast buddy Chris landed this amazing specimen.
Longtime shop customers Mark and David became the providers as they caught several snappers that the guides fried up for us to supplement
our rice and bean diet. The guides also cooked spiny lobsters for us on two occasions and that is always a treat.
There are lots of barracudas and jacks around so even in tough weather there is always something to do. My close friend Rio arranged to dive on his own for 5 days and on one dive he said it was the best of his life. He has done
scuba all over the planet so that was cool to hear.
Cubans are some of the friendliest folks we have ever encountered. They will do everything they can to make your day brighter. They were all eager to chat with us and practice their English. The ability to stay positive against all odds is incredible as getting even basic supplies is very difficult.
Every gift we brought for the locals was greatly appreciated. Starting plans to go back Fall 2026 or Spring 2027 so let me know if you have any interest in joining the next trip.
-Bryson
Email: Travel@caddisflyshop.com
Phone: (541) 342-7005
Stop by: 168 W 6th Ave, Eugene OR
