Okay, this is anything but a steelhead report. But I thought some of you might enjoy a little story about fishing a few km north of the Tropic of Cancer. The first week of June I spent two days walking the beaches on the East Cape of Baja, fly fishing the Gulf of California with a 10wt. I only caught a few fish, but the one pictured below was the strongest fish I've ever hooked.
For a few more pictures and a more detailed account, go to:
http://www.atmos.washington.edu/~mantua/BAJA
After landing this fish, I quit for the day. I needed a swim and
a couple of cold Pacificos.
The next afternoon I was walking the same beach. I almost lived a repeat performance. A slightly smaller Jack was ripping up and down the surf zone, and I dropped another clouser in front of him. He picked it up, I set the hook and thought "here we go again!" It was exciting for just a few seconds. The fish started ripping line out of my stripping basket but the hook pulled free. I didn't get another shot at a Jack that afternoon or the next morning.
For a few more pictures and a more detailed account, go to:
http://www.atmos.washington.edu/~mantua/BAJA
After landing this fish, I quit for the day. I needed a swim and
a couple of cold Pacificos.
The next afternoon I was walking the same beach. I almost lived a repeat performance. A slightly smaller Jack was ripping up and down the surf zone, and I dropped another clouser in front of him. He picked it up, I set the hook and thought "here we go again!" It was exciting for just a few seconds. The fish started ripping line out of my stripping basket but the hook pulled free. I didn't get another shot at a Jack that afternoon or the next morning.