EAST CAPE SALTWATER FLY FISHING ACTION
IS JUST 15 MINUTES OUT FROM THE HOTELS THIS WEEK

Aug. 21, 2004, Gary Graham, Baja On The Fly, East Cape, Baja California Sur, Mexico fly fishing:

Wham! Bam! The early bird gets the tuna and dorado. With the East Cape saltwater fly fishing action so close to the hotels (15 minutes at the most) it is essential to have a quick breakfast and be on your boat early. Have those rods locked and loaded when you get on the boat or you will be watching your buddy getting yanked while you are desperately trying to get rigged.

See-Through Deceivers and Sea Habits with olive backs are doing the trick. If the tuna aren’t visible on the surface, use Clousers and let it sink further down in the water column.

Sardina for chum has been tough to come by this week at East Cape, so that is another reason to push away from the breakfast table early.

I can’t say enough good things about Sea Watch that has spearheaded a massive letter writing campaign, (link included), that helped convince Mexican officials to hold off long lining while they examine effects on the fragile Sea of Cortez. Like no one knows the damage it does.

For all our friends in Phoenix, Arizona, Gary and Yvonne will be one of the presenters at the “Outdoors Arizona” Outdoor Recreation Expo, Aug. 27-29 at the Phoenix Civic Plaza. Check your local newspaper for Gary’s schedule.

AIR & SEA - East Cape fly fishing area water temperature 81-88. Air temperature 82-94. Humidity about 69%. Wind: SE 2 mph. Conditions: Scattered Clouds. Visibility 10 miles.

OFFSHORE: It's that time of year that a fly rodder can expect a decent number of East Cape fishing shots at the sails.

INSHORE: From La Ribera to Punta Colorada, East Cape fly fishing is producing excellent catches for tuna, fat skipjack and a good mix of small- to medium-sized dorado.

BEACH: Had a Bubba class rooster, 50+ chase a mullet practically to my feet, didn’t know if I should cast or run. Plenty of lookdowns, pompano and small jacks to keep you busy fly fishing between Bubbas.

BILLFISH – Grab your 12-weight and come on down.

YELLOWFIN TUNA – The spot looks like a parking lot for boats. but the tuna don’t seem to mind.

DORADO – Not wide open, but close. Had a couple of clients the other day that were worn out before the dorado quit.

ROOSTERFISH\JACK CREVALLE – Olive Clousers worked for most using a short, abrupt retrieve.

BARRILETE OR MEXICAN SKIPJACK – Want an IGFA record? There are some potential ones swimming around right now at East Cape.

PARGO AND CABRILLA – Sight casting to pargo? It happened this week along the sandy beach at East Cape's Rooster Alley.

SIERRA – A few around, but wire not practical with so many other exotics. If you see them use flies tied on long shanks and you may get lucky and not lose the fly when they bite.