Forgotten Shrimp

This is a killer pattern - I found it a long time ago. I think it was on the Internet but have long forgotten its origin. I included it in an article I wrote for Saltwater Flyfishing Magazine - I didn't have a name for it and ended up calling it the Forgotten Shrimp. One day I hope I find its originator and can give them credit.

I tie it fairly small in sizes from 2 to 6. The basic pattern is:

Tail - chartreuse bucktail and crystal flash

Head - chartreuse ultrachenille

Eyes - Red glass beads on heavy monofilament with melted ends to hold the beads on

Body - chartreuse estaz

Back - Green fish skin with silver flakes

Rib - monfilament tied over body

I like to fish this fly on a fast sink tip line often as a trailer to a heavier weighted fly. It has been productive in a variety of areas. It is my favorite fly for fishing the mouths of Pacific side esteros on outgoing tides. In places like Estero Coyote near Abreojos the outgoing tide races through the narrow mouth and creates a river-like environment. I often high-stick this fly much like I would fish a beadhead nymph on the Deschutes River.

Abreojos and La Bocana

I wanted to post a couple of random links on the greater Abreojos and La Bocana region.

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La Bocana is a long skinny bay with Punta Abreojos to the Southeast and the town of La Bocana to the Northwest. There is little information on the area on the web but here's a couple interesting links.

I haven't been to this place and their webpages are a little sketchy but the price and location are right:
La Bocana Bed and Breakfast

These guys are gear anglers but their report gives an indication of some of the action that is available.
La Bocana Fishing Report from 2005

Here's a good run down on fishing in Estero Coyote at Campo Rene (east of Abreojos) by Doug Pierson who I met at Campo Rene where he generously showed me the basics of fishing this bay.

Doug's Estero Coyote Advice

And if you are interested in what all thise birds are here's a place to start:

Bird paper on Estero Coyote and Bocana

Road to Abreojos

Since I've been writing about Abreojos a little lately I thought I would post a couple more pictures.

Here's what the last part of the road looks like:

Its really hard to get a good photo of the washboard that forms on these roads but it was only medium bad this day. Depending on when the last grader came through it might be smooth sailing or a kidney jarring crawl. The pavement is getting closer to town and its not that far on the gravel anymore. The road is flat and straight. The biggest danger here is driving too fast and loosing control or colliding with an oncoming vehicle. Although these roads can be hard on vehicles many locals drive regular cars without any problem.

This sign marks the turn off to Abreojos. Continuing straight leads to La Bocana and points west. Campo Rene is a few miles before town. Note that the blue sign at the bottom offers a reward for a lost license plate - a victim of the washboard road. I've watched screws in my dash spin out as we bumped down the road. Fortunately, after a few weeks of salt spray from the Pacific and nothing will rattle loose anymore.

Turtle Conservation Story

This is a cool article about some of the Sea Turtle work going on in Baja. It was first published in 2005. I've been thinking about posting it for a while. Since I just wrote about Abreojos and my buddies Javier Villavicencio and Isidro Arce are in the article I thought it might be a good time to add the link.

Javier and Isidro are great guys and have done much for their community. Their exploits include starting a Water Keepers group for Punta Abreojos, hosting surfing competitions, helping secure a Marine Stewardship Council Sustainable Certification for their local lobster fishery, managing a sea turtle monitoring program in Estero Coyote, capturing one of the most notorious turtle poachers in Baja, and they still mange to work full time as commercial lobster fishermen. I'll have to post more about them another day.

Punta Abreojos and Campo Rene

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The region west of Laguna San Ignacio has been one of my favorite parts of Baja for some time now. A lot of our travels have been in my non-air conditioned truck. The cool breezes of the Pacific Coast have provided relief from the heat and humidity of the Sea of Cortez on many trips.

The small community of Abreojos provides basic supplies. The town is prosperous due to its careful management of its Lobster and Abalone fisheries. Its not easy to get here - you can drive in but there is no bus service. Private planes can land at the airstrip next to the town (watch out for baseball games) or at Campo Rene. If you are adventurous you could take the bus to San Igancio and ask around for a ride.

The best fishing is in the late summer or early fall. The fly angler must be self sufficient. As far as I know I may be the only person to fly fish here. I would love to hear from anyone else who has tried.

Campo Rene located a few miles from town at the mouth of the mangrove-lined Estero Coyote has basic rooms and slightly salty somewhat hot showers for about $15 US/night. They also have a restaurant and bar, kayaks, peddle boats, and a boat ramp.

The mangrove-lined estero is loaded with fish but the fishing may be impacted by gill netting in the spring. Birds, clams, and sea turtles are abundant in the area and there are plenty of coyotes around as the bay's name suggests. The bay holds sand bass, snook, and sometimes halibut. At the entrance of the bay I've caught roncador (yellow finned croaker), corvina, surf perch, and plenty of highly toxic bullseye puffer fish. Pangas are inexpensive and target yellow tail, yellowfin tuna, dorado, and giant black bass that range up to 300+ pounds. Larger halibut can be found beyond the break at the main surfing point.

The mangrove channels of Estero Coyote and Estero La Bocana are great areas for kayak fishing.

Lobster, abalone, and oysters are available but be careful the cooperativa that manages these fisheries fiercely protects them from poachers. They can be purchased in season from the cooperative in Abreojos.

It can be windy and cool here so come prepared. If the Pacific fog rolls in things can be damp in the mornings.

I wrote about Campo Rene a little in my earlier post:

Baja Lunch

Hurricane Norbert

Here we go again! This one looks like it could get big. Currently a category 3 hurricane, Norbert is predicted to build to a category 4 and then weaken before making landfall. The predicted path has been steady for the last few days. Everyone between Abreojos/Mulege and Cabo San Lucas should monitor the situation and get ready. I'm adding a link to the National Atmospheric and Oceanic Administration's Hurricane Preparedness web page to my link list.

Tropical Storm Julio

This map from the US National Hurricane Center's web page for Tropical Storm Julio just about says it all. The Mexican government has issued a tropical storm warning from Cabo San Lucas north to Abreojos and Mulege. If you are down south expect lots of rain and wind. Stay out of the arroyos - flash flooding will be a problem.

Here's a link to El Sud Californiano's coverage of Tormenta Tropical Julio for you Spanish readers.

Baja Lunch

In Abreojos it can get windy. I like to fish the morning from the beach and then return to camp for lunch and a nap when the wind kicks up. This photo is a classic Baja Lunch prepared and eaten in one of the cabins at Campo Rene. Fideo soup from the dried package, quesedillas with ranch cheese and really good salsa, and an ice cold Modelo.

As you can see, The Baja Catch - one of the best Baja fishing books out there, serves many purposes around camp. Besides providing a wealth of fishing information including many remote spots, it also serves as a hot plate. If you are new to Baja fishing, especially beach and inshore fishing get this book.