EAST CAPE AND MAGDALENA BAY FISHING CONDITIONS REPORT FROM GARY GRAHAM'S BAJA ON THE FLY: PROVIDING QUALITY SALTWATER FLY-FISHING 365 DAYS A YEAR IN BAJA - THE ONLY ORVIS EXPEDITION COMPANY IN BAJA - Wed., April 17, 2002 EAST CAPE, BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO IN GENERAL: Just when things were beginning to rock both inshore and on the beach, a blankity-blank cold front came through and almost brought fishing to a standstill. Fortunately, it was gone by yesterday (4/16) morning and I could see roosters and sierra chasing sardinia in front of the house. The good news is that the offshore fishing held up pretty well with more and more marlin showing. There are lots of squid around now and all the marlin are pretty full and not real aggressive on the artificials. Dorado fishing also held up for the lucky ones who found the right school. I am back in California at our Escondido office for a few days and then return to East Cape for what promises to be a great May and June. AIR & SEA: From Sat. to Mon. a cold front came through, bringing lots of clouds and temperatures cool enough to keep me in a windbreaker all day. Sunny Hi 92° Lo 69° Wind: VA/0 mph Humidity: 78% Dewpoint: 61° Visibility: 10 Water Temps 69-72 . OFFSHORE: Good fishing in several directions. With few if any tuna, the focus is on the billfish and dorado. . INSHORE: Now that the cold front has dissipated, look for the sierra, roosterfish and jacks to resume biting full speed. . BEACH: La Ribera died for the last several days. The sardinia were there with nothing on them. I think all the players stayed home by the fire while it was cold. Another interesting note while discussing bait fish: While sardinia are still the mainstay, we are seeing what appears to be very similar to the East Coast sand eels the stripers and bluefish feed on. Also, I was out at Punta Arena the other day and there were lots of dead squid to 12-inches on the beach. A resourceful gear fisherman had put one of the dead squid on his hook and came up with a quality jack that probably weighed 25 pounds. Then, on the way back, I found a three-pound octopus floating close to shore with a BIG JACK nipping at its tentacles. Which brings me to my point – you might want to throw a few Bob Popovic's Surf Candies and squid patterns in your box if you are coming to East Cape anytime soon. For more information on these patterns, check out Bob Popovics and Ed Jaworowski’s new book “Pop Fleyes” http://www.bajafly.com/storefront.htm BILLFISH - Multiple catches not unusual these days. YELLOWFIN TUNA - I heard a rumor about some around on the Pacific side near Cabo. Hopefully, they are headed our way. DORADO - Good but scattered. ROOSTERFISH - Some quality fish both inshore and from the beach if the weather stays warm. JACK CREVALLE - A few more large fish found this week out near the lighthouse. BARRILETE OR MEXICAN SKIPJACK - Good catches in front of Rancho Leonero. PARGO AND CABRILLA - The good bite in front of Rancho Buena Vista in the afternoon on the rock reef shut off this week with the cold weather. SIERRA - Everywhere. Use clear or opaque wire bite tippet, not the black variety. Catch of the Week Photo: http://www.bajafly.com/weeklycatch.htm MAGDALENA BAY, BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO Wed., April 17, 2002 IN GENERAL: Right now the best game plan is to pick an estero (estuary) and spend some time exploring it at low tide so that you know where the deeper holes are. Then go back to those holes and fish on either an incoming or outgoing tide. Fish them like you were fishing for steelhead, using the current to sweep your fly out toward the center of the channel. When you get bit, hold on tight and let the current help hold the fish mid-channel so you have a chance to land the bigger ones. AIR & SEA: Overcast conditions persist here and when the wind picks up in the P.M. it is downright chilly. YELLOWTAIL - A few at the Entrada, but not enough to make the run out there. CORVINA - I can’t believe how many of you overlook the bridge at the entrance to town. SNOOK - Look for the deep holes and pound them. HALIBUT - Sandy beaches with a chartreuse Clouser are a good bet. I know this sounds redundant, but that’s where they are. SIERRA - A few around the commercial pier. Catch of the Week Photo: http://www.bajafly.com/weeklycatchmagbay.htm