Plenty of Dorado, Sails and North Winds REPORT FROM GARY GRAHAM'S BAJA ON THE FLY: PROVIDING QUALITY SALTWATER FLY-FISHING 365 DAYS A YEAR SOUTH OF THE BORDER. FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: [email protected] USA toll-free (800) 919-2252 or 760/746-7260; Mexico 011-52-624-14-10373 Dec. 24, 2004. Report covers the period Sat.-Fri. (12/18-12/23) Merry Christmas and Happy New Year EAST CAPE, MAGDALENA BAY, ZIHUATANEJO, MEXICO; AND SAN JOSE, GUATEMALA CONDITIONS EAST CAPE IN GENERAL: While fishing continues to be good for this late in the year, the winds have made it difficult to enjoy. On Wed. (12/22) there was some decent dorado action around the shark buoys near Punta Pescadero. We counted several marlin and one sailfish on one the few boats that ventured out. If you prefer to stay a bit closer to home, the early morning sierra bite at the lighthouse has been great. Any flies with a little blue in them seem to be the hot ticket right now. Everyone is hoping that Santa brings lots of goodies and, as a special gift to East Cape, takes the North wind with him. This is Tim Stelzer’s first report since returning last week from his summer guiding in Alaska. He will be guiding for Baja on the Fly both at East Cape and Magdalena Bay until late April, we are excited to have him back again this year. AIR & SEA – Water temperature 70-74 Air temperature 55-73 Humidity about 60% Wind: North 13 mph Conditions: Scattered Clouds Visibility 15 miles Sunrise 7:02 a.m. MST Sunset 5:42 p.m. MST Dec. 26, Full; Jan. 3, Last Quarter; Jan. 10, New; Jan. 16, First Quarter. + OFFSHORE: If you feel lucky, there are still a few billfish around + INSHORE: We expect the Sierra this time of year, so bring some wire. The dorado are a nice Christmas present. + BEACH: Windy conditions have made it tough. I did hear of several quality roosters landed near the lighthouse earlier in the week. BILLFISH – Even a sail or two this week. YELLOWFIN TUNA – Action still down toward Cabo Pulmo and beyond. It’s an ugly ride home if the dreaded North wind cranks up. DORADO – Shark buoys in front of Punta Pescadero still holding a few. ROOSTERFISH\JACK CREVALLE – The word “challenging” describes it best. BARRILETE OR MEXICAN SKIPJACK – Still some schools down toward Cabo Pulmo. PARGO AND CABRILLA – Only a few on the rocky points. SIERRA – Bring wire or lots of blue flies! MAGDALENA BAY, BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO IN GENERAL: Good traveling weather on the outside as several yachts head up the line for Christmas. Still a few billfish, dorado, tuna and wahoo to break up the monotony. Inside, with few clients interested in fishing, there was more attention paid to Christmas preparations. With whale-watching season just around the corner, everyone is hoping Santa will bring some of the friendly giants with him on his visit tonight. Water Temperature 69-75 Air Temperature 60- 69 Humidity 91% Wind North 11 mph Conditions: Clear Visibility 3 miles Sunrise 7:08 a.m. MST Sunset 5:44 p.m. MST Dec. 26, Full; Jan. 3, Last Quarter; Jan. 10, New; Jan. 16, First Quarter. YELLOWTAIL – A few smaller firecrackers under the birds at the entrada. CORVINA – A few small ones at the pier and bridge. SNOOK – North end of the bay is the best bet. HALIBUT – Sand beaches and a slowly retrieved Clouser should do the trick. SIERRA – Under the bird schools is the best. ZIHUATANEJO, MAINLAND MEXICO IN GENERAL: Clean water is just off the beach and the majority of the boats are releasing 3 to 5 sailfish a day. I guided Scott Kelly from Juneau, Alaska for fly-fishing with Captain Martin on the panga Isamar. Before heading out that morning, from the Terrifin Satellite Surface Temperatures chart, I had noticed a well-defined area holding 80.5 degree water, with the rest of the areas all in a scrambled egg pattern of 83 to 85 degree water. The body of cooler water paid off with a huge sailfish tagged and released, and a couple of fly-caught yellowfin tuna. The sailfish was estimated at 120-pounds and the tuna were football sized. There are lots of yellowfin here, with the majority of them in the 12- to 20-pound size. We did notice schools of 50- to 60-pound fish crashing on bait, but they proved to be elusive. Water Temperature 80-84 Air Temperature 75-86 Humidity 94% Wind WSW 4 mph Conditions: Scattered Clouds 8,000 ft Visibility 10 miles Sunrise 7:13 a.m. CST Sunset 6:18 p.m. CST Dec. 26, Full; Jan. 3, Last Quarter; Jan. 10, New; Jan. 16, First Quarter. Baja on the Fly's Zihuatanejo report by Ed Kunze SAN JOSE, GUATEMALA IN GENERAL: The anglers who were down Guatemala-way this week experienced some tough conditions, but all went away happy. The overall release numbers were down to what other areas experience, at about 3-7 per day, but dorado action in-close made up for the tough sailfishing. All of the boats were able to experience great action with dorado. Once again we had no one fishing inshore. Water Temperature 78-82 Air Temperature 80-84 Humidity 100 % Wind South 8 mph Conditions: Clear Visibility 7 miles Sunrise 6:23 a.m. CST Sunset 5:42 p.m. CST Dec. 26, Full; Jan. 3, Last Quarter; Jan. 10, New; Jan. 16, First Quarter. San Jose, Guatemala report by Brian Barragy and Lissa McFarland