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., April 30, 2003 Report covers the period Sat.-Tues. (4/26-4/29) EAST CAPE, MAGDALENA BAY AND ZIHUATANEJO CONDITIONS EAST CAPE, BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO IN GENERAL: With "Cinco de Mayo" just around the corner and three days of no wind and flat seas as far as the eye can see, who wouldn't be smiling? Cloud cover has kept the temperatures comfortable and the beach not looking quite so wind swept. The only problem has been so many tuna being caught this week that the hotels had to send out for additional wasabi to go with all the sashimi being served at cocktail hour. These tuna are the perfect size, less than 30 pounds and not the kind that make you wish you had stayed by the pool. While not as many as the tuna, the dorado and billfish are holding their own. Back close to shore the larger roosters and even a few nice-sized pargo have been providing a challenge for our fly-rodders. Just received a copy of David Klausmeyer's new book "Tying Contemporary Saltwater Flies." In addition to a gaggle of great saltwater flies, he was kind enough to include both my See Thru Deceiver (Page 28) and Baja Deep Diver (page 47.) If you want to see more go to http://www.bajafly.com/storefront.htm. Also thanks to Richard Alves, there are online instructions for my Baja Deep Diver. Go to http://www.fishsniffer.com/fly/fom/030419bajadeepdiver.html for details. If you haven't seen the May issue of Pacific Coast Sportfishing, pick up a copy and read Gary's column, "Fishing on the Fly" which will be a regular monthly feature. http://www.scsportfishing.com/index.html AIR & SEA - Water temperature 70-75 Air temperature 73°-84° Humidity about 60% Wind NNW at 5 mph Conditions Mostly Cloudy (BKN) : 21,900 ft Visibility 15 miles Sunrise 5:43 a.m. MST Sunset 6:45 p.m. MST May 1 New May 9 First Quarter May15 Full May 22 Last Quarter · OFFSHORE: Plenty of tuna to put a bend in your stick. But be careful because you never know when a big bull dorado will show up behind the boat and take your fly for a magic carpet ride. · INSHORE: Yes! May is almost here and the roosters are waiting. · BEACH: Can't get no satisfaction? Try our East Cape beaches in May and you will be pleasantly surprised. BILLFISH - Sailfish already and the water is just beginning to warm up. YELLOWFIN TUNA - Look for the porpoise with birds on them. DORADO - Good quality, just not tonnage yet. ROOSTERFISH - Call it the "Chicken" or "Baja Two Step." That is what clients and guides look like they are doing when they are running down the beach in pursuit of Bubba and friends. JACK CREVALLE - Don't think these guys are going to miss the party. They love sardina. BARRILETE OR MEXICAN SKIPJACK - A few in front of La Ribera. PARGO AND CABRILLA - Starting to hear rumbles of some quality fish on a few of the rock reefs. SIERRA - Punta Colorada or La Ribera around the bait receivers. MAGDALENA BAY, BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO Wed., April 30, 2003 Report covers the period Sat.-Tues. (4/26-4/29) IN GENERAL: Rumors abound of some serious snook action down Puerto Chale way. For the last month I have been hearing stories of Grande Snook being caught. One monster that was verified weighed 37 pounds. Nobody is talking specifics, so I think I will go check out myself in a week or two. If you can get there, Thetis Bank has had a fair yellowtail snap with an occasional dorado showing up. The esteros around Puerto San Carlos have not been producing much to talk about this week, which can be attributed to few anglers trying. Water Temperature 60-66 Air Temperature 60°-82° Humidity 97% Wind Calm Conditions Clear Visibility 3 miles Sunrise 5:48 a.m. MDST Sunset 6:55 p.m. MDST May 1 New May 9 First Quarter May15 Full May 22 Last Quarter YELLOWTAIL - Thetis Bank is a long way to go for a yellowtail, but if that is your desire go for it! CORVINA - Plenty around, both surface poppers and Baja Deep Divers are working well. SNOOK - Now if I could get one of these guys to eat the popper I would be stoked. HALIBUT - Shallow water along the sandy beaches at Punta Belcher producing some 10-pounders. SIERRA - Slow.