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., Feb. 26, 2003 EAST CAPE, MAGDALENA BAY AND ZIHUATANEJO CONDITIONS EAST CAPE, BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO IN GENERAL: I have been reporting that the marlin sightings in the area have been unusual for the last month, but that they weren't very hungry. When I spoke to our guide Jeff DeBrown yesterday (2/25) evening he could hardly contain himself. It's like Magdalena Bay! There were marlin feeding on the surface everywhere just like the do at Magdalena. Not only that, they are close . . . only five miles off Punta Colorada all the way to Cabo Pulmo. In addition to that, the dorado where wolfing down almost any fly that hit the water. Wind? Sure but who cares, this is the best Feb. marlin bite in recent memory! AIR & SEA - Water temperature 68-72 Air temperature 59°-86° Humidity about 63% Wind North at 14 mph Conditions (FEW) : 12,000 ft Visibility 15 miles Sunrise 6:44 a.m. MST Sunset 6:18 p.m. MST Feb. 23 Last Quarter Mar. 2 New Mar. 11 First Quarter Mar. 18 Full · OFFSHORE: Finally something to talk about: iridescent blue with stripes or iridescent gold with blue, take your pick. · INSHORE: Still the sierra cruising about, but even the tin boats are chasing the marlin and dorado. · BEACH: Our guide found some sierra in front of Rancho Leonero early in the morning before he picked up some clients. BILLFISH – Feb. bonanza, who would have thunk it? YELLOWFIN TUNA - Everyone was so excited about the other stuff that they didn't even mention them. DORADO - It is popper time at East Cape. ROOSTERFISH - Traveling with the sierra and eating the same things. JACK CREVALLE - Same as the rosters and sierra. BARRILETE OR MEXICAN SKIPJACK - Still not much interest. PARGO AND CABRILLA - Always a few around the rocky structure. SIERRA - Early! Early! Early! Is best. MAGDALENA BAY, BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO Wed., Feb. 26, 2003 IN GENERAL: The best action has been at the entrada or at least that is where the fleet is spending most of its time. Cloudy, windy conditions failed to discourage our eager clients and they weren't disappointed with plenty of yellowtail, barracuda, spotted bay bass and an occasional leopard grouper to play hide the fly with. Up in the esteros the corvina and small jacks provided a fast pace the made the day seem too short. Water Temperature 67-70 Air Temperature 62-°73° Humidity 100% Wind North at 6 mph Conditions Fog in the morning and haze the rest of the day Visibility 6 miles Sunrise 6:53 a.m. MST Sunset 6:24 p.m. MST Feb. 23 Last Quarter Mar. 2 New Mar. 11 First Quarter Mar. 18 Full YELLOWTAIL - A few smaller ones. CORVINA - They are back. SNOOK - Still little to report. HALIBUT - A six kilo (13.2-pound) halibut caught this week. That is a toad in Magdalena Bay land SIERRA - Spotty this week with barracuda dominating the scene.