Cayo Cruz, Cuba

November 2025 - Colin Macleod

Hosted fly fishing trips are becoming increasingly popular. The benefits include the company of like-minded anglers for those travelling alone or in small groups, as well as access to years of flats-fishing knowledge from experienced hosts and fellow anglers—particularly valuable for first-time travellers.

In late November, twelve excited anglers headed for Heathrow, leaving behind the snow and ice of a decidedly chilly Britain. Our destination was Cayo Cruz, in Cuba’s Jardines del Rey. Those lucky enough to have a window seat were treated to an appetite-whetting view of the extensive bonefish flats below as the jet circled Cayo Coco airport. Stepping off the aircraft into a wave of heat and humidity, it immediately felt as though the holiday had begun.

Cayo Cruz is essentially a desert island on Cuba’s north coast and the epicentre of some truly incredible fishing. Our hotel was situated just a double haul from the marina, where the skiffs lay in wait. The area is a genuine fisherman’s paradise.

The first morning dawned hot and humid, with a gusty wind. I normally spend the first day fishing with anglers on their first bonefish trip, helping them learn the ropes and settle any nerves. On this occasion, we had four first-timers in the group, and wherever possible I paired them with more experienced anglers to maximise the benefit. As always, the goal was to help newcomers catch their first bonefish, and I’m pleased to say they proved to be highly competent fly fishers, opening their bonefish accounts in some style. With that done, I was able to relax and settle into the fishing myself.

After eight hours floating over turquoise water beneath powder-blue skies, the skiffs headed for home, where cold beer and snacks awaited at the hotel bar and the swapping of fishy tales began in earnest. As the week progressed, the social advantages of a hosted group became increasingly clear, with anglers sharing meals, drinks and boats, and new friendships forming naturally.

The next five days passed in a blur of fins, tails, impossibly white sands and screaming reels. Cayo Cruz is a truly beautiful and unspoilt environment, offering bonefishing of the highest quality, enhanced by plentiful permit, barracuda and, in season, tarpon. Dedicated permit anglers would feel very much at home here, but for most fly fishers it is the world-class bonefishing that truly captures the imagination. Whether wading endless white-sand flats or being poled quietly in a skiff by a guide, a genuine adventure awaits.

Weather conditions were favourable overall, with plenty of sunshine—so important for spotting elusive bonefish—though accompanied by a stronger-than-average wind. Fast-action rods really help when accuracy is needed in such conditions, and I was glad to have a Helios D 8wt by my side. Despite the wind’s best efforts, all anglers returned impressive numbers of bonefish to a variety of shrimp and crab patterns, along with barracuda, snapper, and a very special first permit for Len Metcalfe.

I will be hosting a repeat trip to Cayo Cruz in November 2026 on behalf of Go Fishing Worldwide.