FLY FISHING ANGLER FAIL TO SCORE ON ROOSTERFISH

Dec. 10, 2005, Gary Graham, Baja On The Fly, Ixtapa Zihuatanejo, Mexico Fishing Report:

The good sailfish action at Ixtapa Zihuatanejo this last week has died off somewhat. For the sportfishing fleet, we are averaging about two sailfish a day per boat. However, most boats are also getting about one good 20-plus pound dorado for dinner.

Fly fishermen are not having any luck at all on the roosterfish, but there are a few large jack crevalle eating the feathered hook. These fish are averaging a respectable 16-pounds. Black skipjack tuna and cabrilla are rounding out the inshore action with the long rods.

Our Sales and Tales Tournament was completed on Monday with Cecilia "Pudge" Kleinkauf, visiting all the way from Anchorage, taking first place; with second place going to Joe Dowdell, Marathon, Fla.

Ixtapa Zihuatanejo fishing water temperature 80-84; Air temperature 78-87; Conditions: Mostly cloudy.

SAILS & TALES FLY FISHING TOURNAMENT RESULTS:

Cecilia "Pudge" Kleinkauf, Anchorage, began her fishing on the final day of Baja on the Fly’s “Sails & Tales” catch-and-release sailfish tournament hoping to protect her lead by adding another catch to her score.

At midday, she had her opportunity and it was fish-on. Guide Ed Kunze was so sure she was going to land another sailfish that he was patting her on the back. Then, the fish came unbuttoned.

While Ixtapa Zihuatanejo fishing weather cooperated perfectly for the entire event and everyone had plenty of shots the first day, action slowed for the finale.

As the tournament boats returned to the pier after "lines out," Kleinkauf discovered she had won the event anyway, despite the loss of her fish earlier in the day.

"As it turned out, all the competitors had opportunities for sailfish the last day, but in the end it was more tales than sails," said tournament director Gary Graham.

At the Awards Dinner in Zihuatanejo’s Casa Bahia, winners and prizes were:

First Place: Kleinkauf: Abel 12-weight rod and Super12 reel, Scientific Angler "Mastery Series" flyline and backing, Kaenon eyewear, invitation to the IGFA/Rolex Tournament in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, in May, 2006. (Kleinkauf declined the invitation to the Rolex and it was awarded to the second place winner.)

Second Place: Joe Dowdell, Marathon, Fla.: Abel 12-weight rod and Super 12 reel, Scientific Angler "Mastery Series" flyline and backing, invitation to the IGFA/Rolex Tournament in Cabo San Lucas in May, 2006.

Accuracy Casting: Sandie Arnold, Anchorage: Kaenon Eyewear.

Accuracy Casting Runner-Up: Gordon P. Henriksen, Denmark: Rainy Bluewater flies, Scientific Angers Billfish Leaders, Newport Blue Tournament Shirt.

Winning Captain: Martin Cortez, Zihuatanejo, panga “Isamar”: Kaenon Eyewear, Newport Blue Tournament Shirt, Sol sunscreen.

Dates for Baja on the Fly’s next "Jacks or Better" tournament at Ixtapa Zihuatanejo are Oct. 22-27, 2006. The next "Sails & Tales" will be Jan. 18-23, 2007.

(See "Mexico Fishing News" online for current fishing reports, photos, weather, and water temperatures from Ixtapa Zihuatanejo and other major Mexican sportfishing areas. Vacation travel articles, fishing maps and seasonal calendars, and fishing related information for Ixtapa Zihuatanejo may be found at Mexfish.com's main Ixtapa Zihuatanejo page.