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 011-52-624-14-10373 Wed., Jan. 22, 2003 EAST CAPE, MAGDALENA BAY AND ZIHUATANEJO CONDITIONS EAST CAPE, BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO IN GENERAL: J.B. Benton, Jacksonville, Ala., fishing with our guide Jeff DeBrown, had one fine day with tuna to 50+ pounds. While J.B. was smiling on the outside, I hear he was complaining about aches and pains on the inside after fighting several tuna (from 38-52 pounds). One took him over 1-½ hours on a 12-weight rod. Red and white Baja Deep Divers and Deceivers were definitely the color of choice for these bad boys with an attitude. The tuna came mid-morning from under the porpoise outside of Punta Pescadero. This was after a morning of non-stop sierra action close to the slide. They even spotted a few dorado which chased his Deceiver right up to the boat before veering off. Gary will be doing his Power Point extravaganza at the International Sportsman Exposition (ISE Show) in San Mateo on Wed., Jan. 29 at 2 p.m. and then again on Fri. at 7 p.m. in the Fly Fishing Theater. This is a brand new program using the latest technology to combine slides and video on saltwater techniques. If you’re anywhere in the San Francisco Bay Area and want to improve your saltwater skills, don't miss this program. In addition, there will be special prizes provided by a variety of manufacturers for a quiz held at the end of the program. This is cutting edge A/V technology and a far, far cry from those old clunky 35mm slide presentations so common at fishing clubs and outdoor shows. AIR & SEA - Water temperature 69-75 Air temperature 63°-85° Humidity about 83% Wind WNW at 9 mph Conditions Partly Cloudy (FEW) : 20,000 ft Visibility 15 miles Sunrise 6:59 a.m. MST Sunset 6:01 p.m. MST Jan. 25 Last Quarter Feb 1 New First Quarter Feb. 9 Full Feb. 16 · OFFSHORE: The tuna showed up for a few days and put major smiles on the faces of the few who were there to take advantage of the bite. · INSHORE: Sierra are everywhere and even if the wind blows you can tuck in close to the slide and find them. · BEACH: Pretty tough except very early in the morning. BILLFISH - Some tailers reported being seen, but no bites. YELLOWFIN TUNA - Strung out from Punta Pescadero to Cerralvo for a few days. 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 - Still a few home guard lurking about. JACK CREVALLE - La Ribera if the bait shows up. BARRILETE OR MEXICAN SKIPJACK - Seemed to be overlooked this week in lieu of the tuna. PARGO AND CABRILLA - Always a few to be had around the rocky points. SIERRA - Whiz, bang, whoops, forgot the wire. MAGDALENA BAY, BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO Wed., Jan. 22, 2003 IN GENERAL: Corvina, mangrove snapper and grouper were the mainstay in addition to the usual spotted bay bass bite. The best action came an hour before low tide up near Devil’s Curve. Water Temperature 67-73 Air Temperature 55°-78° Humidity 100% Wind Calm Conditions Clear Visibility 3 miles Sunrise 7:10 a.m. MST Sunset 6:05 p.m. MST Jan. 25 Last Quarter Feb 1 New First Quarter Feb. 9 Full Feb. 16 YELLOWTAIL – Don’t think anyone targeted them this week. CORVINA - Continued to be almost a sure thing. Chartreuse and flash is the right combination either in a Clouser, Baja Deep Diver or Deceiver-style pattern. SNOOK - Only a few under five pounds. HALIBUT - Sandy beaches and out toward the entrada. SIERRA - Birds and bait in the open water almost guarantees a take.