Early Bird Gets the Sierra

REPORT #1041 “Below the Border” Saltwater Fly-Fishing reports since 1996
Endless Season Update 12/16/06
East Cape

Early morning action before the sun comes up usually begins with sierra. Often the ladyfish, small jacks and roosters will show up as it becomes lighter and will last until the wind shows up. You may also get a shot in the afternoon if the wind backs off enough.
Offshore action can be found when the North wind takes a day off. Still a few billfish being found outside of Punta Pescadero, though it sounds like most of the volume has moved further down off of Cabo with double digit catches for many of the boats fishing the Golden Gate. Dorado and tuna action was reduced to being in the right place at the right time which seemed to be down below Cabo Pulmo.


Water temperature
70-76
Air temperature
60-84
Humidity
80%
Wind:
NW at 10 mph
Conditions:
Sunny
Visibility
7 miles
Sunrise
6:54 a.m. MST
Sunset
5:35 p.m. MDT


Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico
Fewer and fewer boats each week as they either head up the line for home or down toward Cabo for the holidays. Dorado action continued over the top with complaints still being heard that it was tough to get through them to get the billfish. Water temps remain steady which means the bite should continue for a while.

Last weeks Lopez Mateos tournament results reflect the continued good offshore marlin action.

The Esteros bite for grouper, pargo and a few corvina remained consistent throughout the week.


Water temperature
70 - 77
Air temperature
60 -80
Humidity
78%
Wind:
W 8 mph
Conditions:
Cloudy
Visibility
4 miles
Sunrise
7:04 a.m. MST
Sunset
5:40 p.m. MST



Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico
The blue water is only 5 miles off the beach, and, compared to last week's full moon cycle, the fishing has improved considerably. The water temperature, according to the Terrafin Satellite Surface Temperatures, is at least 82°, with some large offshore areas as high as 86°.

Flip Himmelrich, of Spokane, WA, had a large group of family and friends down this week, and even had a small tournament. Using 5 pangas, they averaged two sailfish a boat, per day. The winning captain was Santiago on the Gitana, with 5 sailfish. Santiago's brother, Adan, on the Gitana II was second.

Flip also fished another day with Santiago, and fly fishing guide, Paul Phillips. They got two nice dorado and a 30 pound yellowfin. One of the dorado, taken on a fly, was at least 30 pounds.

Roosters have been hit and miss. Adolpho, on the panga Dos Hermanos, had one good day early this week, taking 6 roosters and several jack crevalle. Then, Santiago and Adolpho both made the 35 mile run with their boats down to Vicente Gro. today (Friday), and only got one 15 pound jack.
Ed Kunze
Water temperature
82 - 84
Air temperature
77-91
Humidity
93%
Wind:
ENE 3 mph
Conditions:
Partly Cloudy
Visibility
3 miles
Sunrise
7:09 a.m. MST
Sunset
6:14 p.m. MST