Yellowtail Get Smart Fast

by | Mar 10, 2021 | fly fishing in Mexico | 2 comments

flyfishingOur accommodation here in the boonies of Baja is simple.  Our rooms are basically a kid’s fort made of plywood.  We have comfortable beds but only one light blanket.  Evenings have been cool in the 50°s so we’ve been sleeping in our fleeces.  Last night dipped into the high 40°s and I was so cold by 5 AM I got up.  Got completely dressed.  Then went for a fast walk before my coffee just to get the blood flowing.

 

commercial-fishingRiccardo came at 7 to pick Grant, Sammy and I up for fishing.  I wore a fleece and my rain jacket for warmth when we made our crossing to the yellowtail bay.  Once the boat stopped moving and the sun began to rise it was nice.  The only bad thing is that the word is out about the run of the yellowtail.  Day one there were only three pangas.  Today there were about ten.

 

Samuel-VigneriThere were a few yellowtail busting upon arrival like the days before.  Sam and I got our flies right in the middle of them several times.  But these fish have wised up.  It doesn’t matter where or how remote you are, fish notice strange fake foods in their feeding grounds and of course, the disappearance of their friends.  The bottom line is, today was a lot more casting and a lot less catching.

 

Sam-Vigneri-YellowtailBut that certainly doesn’t mean we didn’t catch them.  Sammy showed “Currier” like persistence with relentless casting every second we were in the yellowtail water.  He landed four of the feisty fish.  That included this big ole boy.

 

Currier-catch-and-releaseI on the other hand only released two small ones.  I was a bit more casual, enjoying my surroundings and taking photos.  I probably should’ve fished harder for I may never have such good yellowtail fishing again, but sometimes its nice to kick back.

 

Sam-Vigneri-cabrillaBy afternoon fishing slowed down so much we went at least an hour without hooking a yellowtail or seeing a single one busting on the surface.  Riccardo suggested trying one of his cabrilla spots with our sinking lines.  It was a good move – Sammy landed this beautiful leopard grouper.

 

BajaFor the first time this week the wind is up.  We headed in at an early 1:30 PM in order not to chance an unsafe crossing to the village.  Right now, we have 20 MPH wind and a temperature of 66°s.  It feels cold.  So cold it wasn’t comfortable sitting outside sipping Pacifico’s overlooking the water.  Instead, we sheltered behind our restaurant overlooking our huts and the desert.  It’s a nice view too.

 

fishingLike every night this week we ate one of our fish.  Each day we’ve taken our smallest yellowtail home and enjoyed a round of sashimi, ceviche then grilled fillet.  Times are good down here in Baja.

 

flyfishing-blogWe have one more day of fishing.  That means another early night to bed.  I am kicking myself for not bringing my sleeping bag.  I always do and forgot it.  I guess 2020’s lack of travel got me out of my routine.  Another cold night here in bed writing today’s blog!

 

Jeff Currier Global Fly Fishing

2 Comments

  1. Tad Einloth

    Jeff,

    Those are rustic accomodations. The fishing makes up for the poor nights sleep.

    Tad

  2. Jeff

    Good fishing always comes with a few sacrifices. Sleep is almost always one of them!

Welcome to the Blog of Jeff Currier!

Contact Jeff

I started fly fishing at age 7 in the lakes and ponds of New England cutting my teeth on various sunfish, bass, crappie and stocked trout. I went to Northland College in Ashland, Wisconsin, where I graduated with a Naturalist Degree while I discovered new fishing opportunities for pike, muskellunge, walleyes and various salmonids found in Lake Superior and its tributaries.

From there I headed west to work a few years in the Yellowstone region to simply work as much as most people fish and fish as much as most people work. I did just that, only it lasted over 20 years working at the Jack Dennis Fly Shop in Jackson, WY where I departed in 2009. Now it’s time to work for "The Man", working for myself that is.

I pursue my love to paint fish, lecture on every aspect of fly fishing you can imagine and host a few trips to some of the most exotic places you can think of. My ultimate goal is to catch as many species of fish on fly possible from freshwater to saltwater, throughout the world. I presently have taken over 440 species from over 60 countries!

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