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 - Sat., Aug. 03, 2002 EAST CAPE AND MAGDALENA BAY FISHING CONDITIONS EAST CAPE, BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO IN GENERAL: Kurt Kautsch, visiting from Fort Worth, Texas, one of the owners of Main Street Outfitters, brought a group to sample our beach fishing after three slow days offshore in Cabo. They were all smiles and sore arms as we rode back on the ATV's on Fri. afternoon. The sardina that I found a few days ago produced continuous action beginning at 9:30 and improved as the wind got stronger. It was still going off when we started back to the hotel mid-afternoon. Gaffsail pompano and jacks dominated the action and the roosters put on a great show slamming into the sardina schools repeatedly. As we headed back we had plenty of shots at quality roosters to 35 pounds all the way up Bartle Beach. After a late lunch and a nap, the whole group was back on the beach from Buenavista Beach Hotel to our house catching ladyfish until after sundown. They are headed back out for another shot this morning. AIR & SEA - It is that time of year the thunderheads form almost every afternoon in the foothills and bring some rain to the hills . . . but nary a drop here at East Cape. Hi 99° Lo 84° Wind: Strong winds in the p.m. from the East Humidity: 49% Dewpoint: 69° Visibility: 15 Water Temps 77 - 85 . OFFSHORE: Billfish and dorado slowed a bit this week. More blues and sails and fewer stripers, but the stripes are the best bet. Tuna are still on and off, though there have been some big guys to 160-pounds caught recently. . INSHORE: Plenty of roosters and jacks at Punta Colorada. Bob Hale and John Reid, Las Vegas, Nev., were in the double digits by 10 a.m. Fri., then decided to head out for dorado and marlin. While they saw a few of both, they couldn't get connected. . BEACH: Typical August. Good! BILLFISH - Stripers, blues and more sailfish are offering a variety of shots right now. YELLOWFIN TUNA - Footballs with a few larger ones further outside. DORADO - A few schoolies, and more grandes. ROOSTERFISH - Take your pick inshore or beach. JACK CREVALLE - Plenty of smaller ones to keep busy close to the beach. BARRILETE OR MEXICAN SKIPJACK - Still there. PARGO AND CABRILLA - The reef in front of Rancho Leonero a good bet. SIERRA - A couple caught at Punta Colorada. Catch of the Week Photo: http://www.bajafly.com/weeklycatch.htm MAGDALENA BAY, BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO Sat., Aug. 03, 2002 IN GENERAL: The fishing inside the bay can only be described as tough. I guess it shouldn't surprise anyone since almost any of the stock spots you go to have fences of gillnets. And the sardina reduction fleet is working around the clock to catch every last sardine. Whatever gets through all the gillnets won't have anything to eat anyway. This could be one of the most pristine and productive bays in Baja if the Mexican government would wake up and smell the coffee. AIR & SEA: Sunny and hot with light afternoon breezes Air Temperature 69 - 82 Water Temperature 69 - 82 YELLOWTAIL - The entrance to either bay the best bet. CORVINA - Slim pickings, a few at Devil’s Curve. SNOOK – Slow. HALIBUT - Plenty of smaller ones near the sandy beach across from San Carlos. SIERRA - No one I am aware of fished for them. Catch of the Week Photo: http://www.bajafly.com/weeklycatchmagbay.htm CHECKLIST OF THINGS TO BRING TO THE EAST CAPE (We’ll continue to publish this every month or so for new recipients of our twice-a-week report, but we suggest you print it out and keep it handy.) · _______ FISHING CLOTHING - Lightweight, fast-drying technical clothing. Long sleeve shirts and long pants if you burn easily. · _______ TENNIS SHOES, BOAT SHOES OR RUBBER SOLED SANDALS. . _______ HAT - For protection from the sun. · _______ POLARIZED SUN GLASSES. (All dark glasses are not polarized. Be sure yours are.) · _______ WINDBREAKER OR SWEATSHIRT. · _______ SHORTS. · _______ SWIMSUIT. · _______ COSMETICS OR SHAVING GEAR. · _______ SUN PROTECTION (lotion or block.) · _______ LIP BALM. · _______ SEASICKNESS MEDICATION. · _______ TYLENOL OR ASPIRIN. · _______ BENEDRYL SPRAY OR OINTMENT. · _______ FLASHLIGHT (For walking on the beach at night.) · _______ CAMERA, EXTRA FILM. · _______ VIDEO CAMERA AND TAPES (Optional.) . _______ EXTRA BATTERIES. . _______ SNORKEL EQUIPMENT (Optional. Can be rented there.) . _______ U.S. $1 DOLLAR BILLS (For tips.) SHIRTS AND SHOES ARE REQUIRED IN THE DINING ROOM FISHING GEAR YOU MAY NEED: See Gary Graham’s “No Nonsense Guide to Fly Fishing Southern Baja” or his website: www.bajafly.com. · ________8-, 9-, or 10-weight rod for surf fishing and casting. A 9-weight is ideal if you are bringing only one rod. Add a 12-weight if you are fishing from a boat. Rental tackle is available, but must be reserved. · ________Reel(s) direct or anti-reverse, anodized. Good disc drag and plenty of backing. Reels with a quick take-apart feature are ideal for cleaning. · ________Lines - Beach and Inshore: Intermediate or sink-tip for rocky areas. Full line (350 grain) or shooting head for sandy areas. Offshore: 10- or 12-weight rod. Full flyline (650 grain) shooting head/intermediate. For marlin and big tuna: 14-weight, quality reel, lots of backing 125#, and 36-inch bite tippet. Extra fly lines and shooting heads -- better safe than sorry. · ________Leaders and Tippet. · ________Stripping Basket. · ________Flies. Contact your fly shop for the most current flies in use. · ________Hook sharpener. · ________Foot protection for the rocks.