Our Team
MEET OUR TEAM
The People Behind the Adventure
FOUNDER & CO-OWNER
Matt Sprecher
Lake Bluff, Illinois
FOUNDER & CO-OWNER
Matt Sprecher
Lake Bluff, Illinois
I cut my teeth fishing for trout in the Rocky Mountains in Colorado. I started my first Fly Shop Guide service when I was 27 years old outside of Vail, Colorado. Steelhead became my new favorite species. I’ve touched quite a bit of the Fly Fishing industry over the years including fly shops, guide services, lodges, rod and reel design, and fly patterns. I now focus on my companies in Alaska and the most pristine and exclusive flats of Cuba.
25
10+
Permit & Tarpon
Alaska & Cuba
WHY CUBA
Cuba holds a special place in my heart. I fell in love with Cuba for many reasons, not just the fishing. The culture, the people, the history and the challenge to offer the best Fly Fishing trips in the industry. The relationships I’ve made with my brothers and sisters in Cuba and the customers I’ve shared it with mean the world to me. The saltwater Fly Fishing in Cuba is some of the best in the world if not the best for the money.
THE ORIGIN STORY
I first went to Cuba in 2018, invited by a travel agent booking my Alaska steelhead company. When I first saw the flats of Cuba, the size and quantity of fish, it was easy to tell I’d never seen anything like it. I had an inclination I’d be selling trips to Cuba before I went. That first week paired with the people, history, culture and beauty sealed the deal. I started Cuba Fly Fishing Company to represent all outfitters in Cuba.
A MOMENT THAT STICKS
After my grandma passed away, it was a tough week of fishing due to weather. I went out the last afternoon with a storm coming in. We saw a stingray with what felt like a permit following it. I looked up to the sky and said ‘Grandma, can you help us out here?’ A second later I saw a shadow with the ray, a bit of light peaked through the clouds, I made the cast, and the permit crashed the fly. You don’t go fishing to catch a fish in my book.
Trip Host
Isaac Sebastian
West Linn, OR / Alta, Norway
During the Covid-19 pandemic I found an old fly rod in my garage. It completely took hold of me and my passion for fly fishing begun the very first day. Since then, it’s become a religion and I organize my life chasing different species on the fly. What I love most is the incredible natural places, interesting people and new cultures I’ve connected with.
6
5+
Bonefish, Permit
Alaska & Cuba
Trip Host
Isaac Sebastian
West Linn, OR / Alta, Norway
Why Cuba
The environment and the fishing grounds are heavily protected and regulated, making it one of the most pristine places in the Caribbean. I love seeing the vibrant ecosystem at work.
A Moment That Sticks
A standout moment in Cuba for me was being on the boat when Rosie caught her first tarpon. After consistently jumping -and quickly losing- fish throughout the day, we were desperate to get the monkey off our back. We tried a number of superstitious tricks and even tried listening to our guide (Brian, our guide was phenomenal). Finally when everything came together, tears of joy were shed. It was a hilarious and all around awesome day.
Trip Host
Justin Miller
Redding, CA
Why Cuba
I’ve fished extensively throughout the Caribbean but finally just made it to Cuba! Now I know… Cayo Cruz is BIG permit Valhalla!
A Moment That Sticks
Spotted 2 BIG perms feeding over a ray. The wind blew my cast off target about 3 feet, but when the crab sank to their eye level they both charged it with reckless abandon. The adrenaline dump on that attack almost made my knees buckle.
Trip Host
Justin Miller
Redding, CA
I’m a steelheader with a permit problem. Those two still give me butterflies when it’s all going down. Guiding in Kamchatka changed everything in my fishing world.
20+
2+
Permit
Cuba & Russia
Trip Host
Dan Lowe
Colorado
I grew up spin fishing with my dad. Got into fly fishing in college on the Poudre River and the Miracle Mile. It’s been a passion ever since! The salt brought an entirely new universe to the game.
20+
10+
Permit
Cuba
Trip Host
Dan Lowe
Colorado
Why Cuba
Everything about Cuba is intriguing. The time in Havana or Camaguey is eye opening, amazing and tragic all at the same time. There are some of the most amazing white sand flats I’ve ever seen. And the opportunity for numbers and size of fish is unmatched.
A Moment That Sticks
My most recent trip down to JDR I was with a buddy one day who really struggling with his casting. The guide wanted to take him to a drop off area to work on his cast and catch a few fish while doing it. On the way we passed a big white sand flat that was too shallow to get the boat on and there were bonefish everywhere on it. He dropped me off and I spent the next 3 hours barefoot wading that flat catching about 20 fish up to 7 or 8 pounds. It was epic!!