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., March 26, 2003 EAST CAPE, MAGDALENA BAY AND ZIHUATANEJO CONDITIONS EAST CAPE, BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO IN GENERAL: There was lots of wind over the weekend and then Mon. and yesterday (3/25) flat calm conditions prevailed. Everybody is ooing and ahing over the 32-pound albacore that Mark Rayor, the local divemaster caught over the weekend. He showed me the photos yesterday and I told him I’ d have been impressed if he had caught them on the fly. Seems there are a few strung out from Golden Gate on the Pacific side all the way up to Las Frailes. There’s lots of tuna around and on the surface for a change. They’ re tough to get on the fly, but every once-in-a-while it happens. Yesterday, it happened to Eric Genz-Mould, Bothell, Wash., who landed an enormous 65-pound yellowfin (yes, we weighed it!) on a chartreuse Alf. Even though that event took a big chunk out of the professor’s fishing day (1 hour), he still had time to add a couple dorado, another smaller tuna and a few skipjack to the catch list as well. He told me last night that he had learned more about fighting big fish on a flyrod on this trip then the past six annual trips. I was out yesterday and can't remember when I have seen that many large tuna on the surface feeding. Talk about mixed emotions. When you cast your fly and beg for the fish to take it! Then it’s, “Uh-oh, he took it!” and your rod is bent double, half your backing is gone and you realize there is no turning back now. We figure about a minute-per-pound for yellowfin tuna. AIR & SEA - Water temperature 68-72 Air temperature 63°-86° Humidity about 68% Wind Calm Conditions Clear Visibility 15 miles Sunrise 6:14 a.m. MST Sunset 6:31 p.m. MST Apr. 1 New Apr. 9 First Quarter Apr.16 Full Apr. 23 Last Quarter · OFFSHORE: Clean water moved back closer to the beach this week and the tuna, dorado and a few marlin came with it. · INSHORE: Not much bait around, but the quality roosters are still being found from Punta Colorada to the Lighthouse.. · BEACH: Good action at La Ribera this week with plenty of small roosters and ladyfish to mess with. BILLFISH - Mostly singles, saw a few mixed in with the tuna. YELLOWFIN TUNA - Heck of a show even if they don't bite. DORADO - Oddly enough, back closer to the shore in off-colored water. ROOSTERFISH - Plenty of action if you can find the mullet and ballyhoo schools. JACK CREVALLE - Oops! The smaller ones got bigger quick, several in the 20-pound class on the beach from Punta Colorada to the lighthouse. BARRILETE OR MEXICAN SKIPJACK - Saw plenty yesterday, but didn't want to change to smaller flies with all the tuna around. PARGO AND CABRILLA - Still rumors of some big grabbers in the rocks near Punta Colorada. SIERRA - If you don't want to use wire, try patterns tied on long shank hooks to keep the tippet away from their teeth. MAGDALENA BAY, BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO Wed., March 26, 2003 IN GENERAL: Interesting reports of lots of larger snook down at the southern end of the bay near Puerto Chale. One fish was purchased from the back of a commercial fisherman's truck that weighed an amazing 36-pounds. It's a shame that the Mexican government is not enforcing the laws that are already on the books to protect this incredible resource throughout Magdalena Bay. Water Temperature 65-70 Air Temperature 62-°73° Humidity 100% Wind NW at 2 mph Conditions Clear. Some high clouds Visibility 3 miles Sunrise 6:21 a.m. MST Sunset 6:39 p.m. MST Apr. 1 New Apr. 9 First Quarter Apr.16 Full Apr. 23 Last Quarter YELLOWTAIL - In deeper water near either entrada. CORVINA - Good show up at the pier and power plant. SNOOK - South end of the bay is the best bet right now. HALIBUT - Try any of the sandy beaches with a chartreuse Clouser. SIERRA - Spread out throughout the open bay.