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 EAST CAPE, MAGDALENA BAY AND ZIHUATANEJO CONDITIONS Sat., Jan. 11, 2003 EAST CAPE, BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO IN GENERAL: The wind finally backed off for a few days, but we’re sure it will return with a vengeance, maybe as soon as later today (1/11). The Sierra bite has hung in there and if the boats get out they are finding dorado up at Punta Pescadero and a few marlin for the determined. We will be doing a special presentation for the Diablo Fly Fishing Club in the San Francisco Bay area on Tues. (1/14). Stop by if you are in the area or take a look at their website: http://www.diablovalleyflyfish.org/january2003meeti.html AIR & SEA - Water temperature 70 - 75 Air temperature 66°-77° Humidity about 88% Wind West at 6 mph Conditions Scattered Clouds (SCT) : 12000 ft Visibility 15 miles Sunrise 7:00 a.m. MST Sunset 5:54 p.m. MST First Quarter Jan 10 Full Jan. 18 Jan. 25 Last Quarter Feb 1 New First Quarter Feb. 9 · OFFSHORE: Some nice dorado to 30 pounds are the best bet. They’re strung all the way up Muertos Bay. · INSHORE: Sierra great from in front of the hotels from Palmas de Cortez to Punta Colorado. Still hearing about a few larger roosters being seen chasing bait as well as some quality jacks in front of La Ribera. . · BEACH: The earlier the better, look for the birds and bait and if looks like sierra, be sure to use wire! BILLFISH - Put in your time and hope. YELLOWFIN TUNA - I don't think so. DORADO - Punta Pescadero shark buoys are the best bet and it is a better ride home if the wind comes up. Also some reported up further at Muertos Bay and you even get a little protection from the wind. ROOSTERFISH - Watch for the commotion close to shore where the pelicans are diving and carrying on. JACK CREVALLE - La Ribera in front of the pangas on the beach, early morning. BARRILETE OR MEXICAN SKIPJACK - None reported this week. PARGO AND CABRILLA - Almost all of the rock reefs are holding a few. SIERRA - They are here in good numbers. . MAGDALENA BAY, BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO Sat., Jan. 11, 2003 IN GENERAL: The weather is probably the best in Baja right now. The fog we had earlier this week has dissipated. It is sunny and no wind and believe me there aren't many places in Baja that can say that. Corvina are the best bet and there are plenty of cabrilla to fill in the slow spots. Snook are around and when the current lessens a little it should be pretty good fishing. Still slim pickings for the whales, but the count went up 100% with the number doubling to two in the bay this week. Water Temperature 68 - 73 Air Temperature 63°-75° Humidity 97% Wind Calm Conditions Foggy in the morning Sunrise 7:12 a.m. MST Sunset 5:58 p.m. MST First Quarter Jan 10 Full Jan. 18 Jan. 25 Last Quarter Feb 1 New First Quarter Feb. 9 YELLOWTAIL - Best bet is down deep at the entrada. CORVINA - Just about as good as it gets. Chartreuse and flash is the right combination either in a Clouser, Baja Deep Diver or Deceiver-style pattern. SNOOK - Slow retrieve and let the current sweep a Baja Deep Diver in either red or chartreuse into the channel and hang on. HALIBUT - Sandy beaches the best bet. SIERRA - Plenty of sardines to keep them active ZIHUATANEJO, MAINLAND MEXICO Sat., Jan. 11, 2003 IN GENERAL: The 78º blue water is still on the beach, the seas are calm, and the fishing is holding an incredible pace. Even though the boats are getting two to five sailfish per day, the main action is with the 20- to 35-pound dorado. Steve Talbot, escaping from Minnesota snow, had a typical couple of days on the water. The first day he went with Captain Arturo on the panga Janeth. They got three roosterfish of from 35- to 50-pounds. They also got an estimated 25-pound jack crevalle. On the way back, Arturo worked a current line and they got five of the 20-to 35-pound dorado. They next day they fished on the Gaby with Captain Margarito. They got two sails and seven dorado. The tuna are averaging about 60- to 80-pounds with some running into the 200-pound category. With the dorado only 6 miles out, not many charters are going after the tuna. Water Temperature 82º Air Temperature 68°-88º Humidity 78% Wind calm Conditions Scattered Clouds Sunrise 7:14 a.m. CST Sunset 6:23 p.m. CST First Quarter Jan 10 Full Jan. 18 Jan. 25 Last Quarter Feb 1 New First Quarter Feb. 9 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