La Paz / Isla Cerralvo Report - 2008
Just got back from hosting my first two groups to La Paz thanks to Jay Murakoshi and Flies Unlimited.
Having been there several times before, I have to say this was one of the best trips ever. Not only was the fishing great but the group of guys that went were great as well. Most of who came are friends and are avid fishermen but only a few have ever fly fished the salt before this. This trip made experts of all of them.
My first week's group included a couple of my fly club members that had only fished trout before this. Don Voigt, the oldest member of our group, really wanted to try something new and this really presented a challenge for him. Not only did he have to stand up in a rocking boat all day but he had to cast a heavy bluewater fly rod. TFO,s Bluewater Baby was just the ticket for Don getting him his first ever Dorado along with plenty of roosterfish and jack crevalle throughout the week.
My wife and I managed several new species ranging from African Pompano to White Bonita to Triggerfish and Yellowfin along with the usual skipjacks, toro, and dorado. My wife even managed a nice yellowtail.
Most of my second week's group had come down here with me the year before and couldn't wait to get back. All of these guys are very gung-ho fly fishermen but most are still new to the salt. 12 weight rods where the norm with 500gr. and 600gr. lines being first choice. All of the guys carried back-up rods of either 12 weight or 10 weight with floating lines and poppers. This really proved to be fun with lots of surface action on poppers.
Note the popper down this 30# toro's throat.
Dorado were a little hard to come by but by the end of the week everyone had taken several and some were real monsters. 50#ers on a 10 weight were no problem for Jim May.
Not to be outdone, my boss Bob Boucke, took this 60+ pounder measuring just under 70 inches. (Maybe a record here?)
Most of the dorado averaged in the 10#-30# range.
A couple of my guys even took some beautiful barred Pargo. (Not usually taken on a fly) Here Brett Allis lifts a 20 pounder.
A great time was had by all with memories that may never be repeated. Sadly, the area is developing rapidly with new construction. The local airstrip is being lengthened, and more small jets are coming and going. Along with this the local fishermen (pangeros) are fighting to save their fishery. They're at odds with the commercial fisherman who use their trollers to cut most of the bouys and harvest anything in their path.
We'll go again next year, and hope some of these great memories remain for all of us.
TONY
www.feather-river-fly.com
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