By Wolfgang Zahner, DAC Member and Founder of the Cigar Club

Cigars, Saltwater Fly Fishing, and a Jungle

Cigars and bugs don’t mix, but cigars and flies are another story. At least that’s the case when fly fishing in the Yucatán Peninsula’s mangroves. I was told that Enrico Puglisi smoked cigars in the mangroves of Campeche as a form of insect repellant while casting his well-known salt flies in the lagoons. I don’t need much of a reason to pull out a cigar, but this opportunity would not be missed!

For the uninitiated, Campeche is the Mecca for fly fishing baby tarpon. The early morning boat run to the mangroves delivers awe-inspiring sunrises on calm but rising ocean waters. We hit the big fish outside the mangroves first thing, but after an hour we set our sights on the insides of the mangroves, where Campeche’s tarpon tuck themselves away.

I found myself floating along in their mangrove jungles and feeling happy for many reasons — enjoying a cigar among them. Although the buzz of the bugs hummed loudly, the experience in this remote place impacted me deeply. The shoreline encouraged a feeling of meditation. With little distraction from the outside world, the mangroves relaxed the mind to let it wander. Lack of cell reception didn’t hurt.

Partagas Serie D No. 4, El Mejor del Viaje

While a variety of cigars were pulled out on this six-day viaje, the Partagas stood out. The Serie D brings an outstanding construction and a distinct Cuban flavor profile, and it elevated the day for other reasons; because I save these cigars for special occasions, breaking one out typically means something important is happening. So, with a leathery cigar in my left hand and a torch in the other, I was in a positive headspace.

With a palpable level of humidity, we may as well have been floating the boat through a humidor. Cigar humidity impacts the way they burn, and it is a very different setting than lighting up at altitude in Denver. The foot toasted up evenly as the flame grazed across it. A few puffs and the cool smoke of this newly lit puro let my palate know it was in for a treat.

My fellow angler, Raj, rolled a cast into the glassy bubbling water in search of tarpon. My cigar smoke rose in undisturbed lines. No need to factor wind into the equation for either of us. All three of us, including our guide Joél, basked in the aroma of leather, hazelnut and vanilla. I sat with my feet up, occasionally pulling out my phone to catch a snap of Raj’s latest catch.

The motor rumbled, starting our thirty-minute joy ride back to the marina. As we strapped our gear to the boat, the light mist of ocean spray introduced a salty kick to the tobacco’s profile. Our boat raced through the now choppy wave, and a sense of peace surrounded us.

A Cigar State of Mind

Ever get asked to enjoy a cigar while golfing? Sounds like a natural fit. However, I don’t often bother with cigars on the course. Getting in and out of a golf cart means left-behind cigars on the roof of the cart, or it disappears somewhere between the gas pedal and the next shot. Keeping a cigar lit on a course can create slow play, and there’s not much worse than slow golf. Handling a cigar on the course can feel like a chore.

So, if not golf, where best does a cigar fit? For me, a cigar can slow the world down. Just like an angler looking for the next big catch, a cigar aficionado looks for the moment of zen. This can come in a variety of forms, often a collection of sensations. Of course, the flavor, construction, burn, etc. are great experiences. However, your “cigar state of mind” is your own unique way of enjoying cigars.

My cigar zen comes from connecting with old friends, new acquaintances, and sometimes just myself.

The cigar club gathers the third Wednesday of each month. Register on the club calendar.