REPORT FROM GARY GRAHAM'S BAJA ON THE FLY: PROVIDING QUALITY SALTWATER FLY-FISHING 365 DAYS A YEAR IN BAJA FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: [email protected]; USA toll-free (800) 919-2252; Mexico 011-52-614-14-10373 Sat., Dec. 21, 2002 EAST CAPE, MAGDALENA BAY AND ZIHUATANEJO CONDITIONS EAST CAPE, BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO IN GENERAL: They ought to pay me not to say that the North Wind has quit. No Sooner had our report gone out on Wed. when the wind picked up again. Before the wind started again, New Yorker Mike Reitbrock managed to get a dorado up near the shark buoys in front of Punta Pescadero. Then our guide Jeff DeBrown brought him back inside where he caught a few ladyfish before the wind got ugly. Today is the shortest day of the year as Winter arrives. Tomorrow, we turn the corner and before you know it, we’ll be into those amazing long Spring Baja days. If you're thinking of getting away from it all for the Holidays, all the hotels have openings this week, New Year's Eve and the season from here on. Join us by going out at first light on New Year's Day to try to nail the first rooster or ladyfish of the year from the beach in front of your hotel. Since Christmas and New Years are both on a Wed., we will only be doing a report on Sat. for the next two weeks. AIR & SEA - Water temperature mid- to high-70s Air temperature 55°-81° Humidity about 82% Wind North at 5 mph Conditions Mostly Cloudy Sunrise 6:54 AM MST Sunset 5:41 PM MST Dec. 26 Last Quarter Jan. 2 New First Quarter Jan. 10 Full Jan. 18 · OFFSHORE: When the wind quits, dorado and a few billfish are the best bet. · INSHORE: Get out there as early as you can the sierra bite has been pretty good. · BEACH: Getting out before gray light will improve your odds this time of year. Even when the wind blows you usually get a couple hours early in the morning before it gets going. BILLFISH - With the rough conditions this week it is tough to know what is out there. YELLOWFIN TUNA - Heard of a few down south, but trust me . . . you don't want to go in that direction this time of year. DORADO - Punta Pescadero shark buoys are the best bet and it is a better ride home if the wind comes up. ROOSTERFISH - They haven't left, but it takes some work to find them. JACK CREVALLE - Lots of green jacks and a few larger ones mixed in. BARRILETE OR MEXICAN SKIPJACK - Much closer than the tuna and a lot easier ride home. PARGO AND CABRILLA - Try the rocky outcroppings down by Punta Colorada. SIERRA - The trailer park guys are whacking em. Don't forget the wire bite tippet. MAGDALENA BAY, BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO Sat., Dec. 21, 2002 IN GENERAL: Sounds like it was pretty rough up on the ridge and very few billfish were to be had. Looking at Terrafin's SST http://terrafin.com/ it appears that the warmer water is receding down to the south. If there is any action to be had it would be down off Punta Tasco outside the Pinnacles. Inside Magdalena Bay, the corvina bite broke wide open this week, but the snook and grouper seemed to have lockjaw. One of our guides is taking a client out this morning to check out a couple areas further up in the mangroves We will be taking our first Magdalena Bay mangrove trip of 2003, Jan. 3-7. There's still time if you want to join me for a shot at the snook and other critters, or just the opportunity to see the incredible Mag Bay mangroves, call Yvonne at 800 919 2252 or visit http://www.bajafly.com/magjantrip.htm Since Christmas and New Years are both on a Wed. we will only be doing a report on Sat. for the next two weeks. Water Temperature low- to mid-70s Air Temperature 64°-73° Humidity 94% Wind Calm Conditions Haze Sunrise 7:06 AM MST Sunset 5:45 PM MST Dec. 26 Last Quarter Jan. 2 New First Quarter Jan. 10 Full Jan. 18 YELLOWTAIL - Seemed to have gone deeper in the water column as the water temperatures begin to recede. CORVINA - They were biting full speed this week. SNOOK - It slowed down a click this week. HALIBUT - No one targeted them this week, but I am sure they are still around. SIERRA - Look for the bird schools strung out all the way to the entrada. ZIHUATANEJO, MAINLAND MEXICO Sat., Dec. 21, 2002 IN GENERAL: The 82º blue water is still only a mile off the beach and the sailfish action has been great. The roosterfish are still giving us outstanding fishing on the beaches with the average size being about 30- to 40-pounds. Most boats are averaging three to four sailfish a day on conventional gear. Mike Gramzo of Eugene, Ore. fly-fished with me and Captain Martin on the panga Isamar. We raised and brought several fish to the boat before Mike finally hooked, tagged and released two. When a billfish is only 15-feet behind the boat and slashing at the fly, besides being very intimidating, it is a heck of an adrenaline rush for any angler. It often takes several attempts for a fly-fisherman to hook that first one. With the full moon, the tuna seem to have traveled out beyond the reach of the charter fleet. Since Christmas and New Years are both on a Wed., we will only be doing a report on Sat. for the next two weeks. Water Temperature 82º Air Temperature 72°-86º Humidity 83% Wind calm Conditions Clear Sunrise 7:11 AM CST Sunset 6:19 PM CST Dec. 26 Last Quarter Jan. 2 New First Quarter Jan 10 Full Jan. 18 For more Information on Baja on the Fly's Zihuatanejo trips, go to: http://www.bajafly.com/Zihuatanejo.htm -- Zihuatanejo Report by Baja on the Fly's Ed Kunze