Kristen Tripp is Yellow Dog’s Program Director for Cuba and Yellow Dog's Bluewater Program. A love of travel, culture, the outdoors and angling were cultivated from growing up in Nepal with summers in the Grand Tetons of Wyoming. With travel in her blood, Kristen has lived and traveled all over Latin and South America (including Chile, Argentina, Peru, Honduras, Guatemala, Mexico, Puerto Rico and Cuba) along with a long list of countries in other continents as well. Despite her global travel experience, she still maintains a healthy bucket list for future exploration. Kristen’s international travel experience combined with her Spanish language skills and an aptitude for complex trip logistics give her the skills necessary to provide travelers to Cuba with a fantastic experience. An angler, paddler, biker, hiker and general outdoor enthusiast, Kristen loves to get outside when possible to explore, and always loves the opportunity to put her Spanish to use. A ”logistics addict” with a get-it-done attitude, you can bet that Kristen will work hard to take care of your trip details. If she ever lacks for an immediate answer to your questions, she will work hard to track down the information for you and can troubleshoot in two languages, a must for Cuba trips!
What is your favorite species (or hatch) to fish for and where?
I love fishing. It doesn’t matter what or where. Trout to tarpon to permit to bonefish to dorado to redfish. If I can cast to it, then I like fishing for it.
Favorite Rod/Reel combo and why?
My 8-weight is a well-balanced T&T Sextant combined with a Hatch. My 9-weight is a Hardy Zane Pro with a Nautilus NV-G 9/10. My tarpon sticks are a T&T 250 SS and a 350 SS, which I love for tight spots in the mangroves as the rods are short and can handle a big fight—these sticks are usually armed with a Nautilus CCF-X2 Silver King reel.
Favorite Fly Line(s)?
SA Grand Slam Clear Tip – Smooth for most setups. I always have an intermediate line in the kit in case of bad weather or fish being deeper down.
Top Flies?
It depends on the fishery and the species – but EP black and purple for tarpon, McKnight’s Crimp Fly is a great permit / bonefish crossover fly. Crazy Charlies for bonefish are a standard.
Preferred Waders and Boots?
Waders aren’t needed in Cuba. Patagonia Forra boots are versatile for both freshwater and saltwater use.
What do you use for leader and tippet and why does it work well for you?
Umpqua spools of leader material and tippet spools.
Favorite Luggage and Pack System?
I use Patagonia black hole bag wheeled duffel, the Patagonia Guidewater Backpack and the Fishpond Dakota rod case on all my trips. Patagonia packing Cubes are a great organizer as well.
Favorite Accessories or Must-Have Pieces of Gear?
Costa Sunglasses, a good sun hoody & pants, and a hat. You CANNOT see the fish without good sunglasses – they are THE MOST important piece of gear in your kit.
Pants – Women’s Terrebone Joggers – great for the plane and the bow of the skiff.
If you were forced to incorporate one piece of tying material into all of your flies, what would it be and why?
Krystal Flash – it has got good glint factor to catch any fish's eye.
What is the go-to hook for pursuing saltwater fish?
Gamakatsu for any saltwater fish.
What would your next purchase be on the Yellow Dog site?
It depends on who is buying!
I love the Patagonia Nano Puff jackets and they are great for all seasons and trips (great airplane piece for staying warm in A/C on the way to Cuba even).
What are your favorite destinations you've traveled to and why?
In Cuba, I love Isla de la Juventud for its tarpon, Cayo Largo or Cayo Romano for its permit, and Cayo Romano for permit and bonefish. On any day of fishing in Cuba, your own skiff may be the ONLY skiff you see all day – you can’t beat that!
Outside Cuba? Bolivia for golden dorado is an epic trip that gets you remote and provides challenging (which also indicate rewarding) fishing but the setting in the middle of the jungle with butterflies of all colors and macaws flying above combined with its remoteness is one of my all-time favorite trips.
Alaska’s Bristol Bay is also on the list and should be on any angler's list. Once you’ve been there, you have a better understanding for how special it truly is there.
What's on your bucket list?
The Seychelles of course – but that is most saltwater anglers' answer.
I’d love to experience Gangler’s in Northern Manitoba, Bhutan, Mongolia, or tiger fishing in Tanzania. Clearly, I am drawn to places that are remote and/or culturally interesting. The fishing is what draws me to experience a place, but it's only a part of the enjoyment of being in a new environment. The further off the grid I can get, the more appealing and better yet if it also happens to have some fish to target.
What lodges do you really want to visit outside of your territory?
Agua Boa is intriguing and I would love to return to Chile and Argentina to enjoy some of the lodges in el Sur such as Cinco Rios or our friends over at Patagonia River Guides.
Which destinations would you want to travel to from a cultural perspective?
Bhutan, Mongolia, and Tanzania.
