Live Report From Mexico

All fun and games out here in Cabo. Great people, great weather, great food, and great fishing. Sort of. The marlin were hanging out too deep due to the calm weather, and the ocean was pretty dead. We decided to head in and look for some roosters, which unlike the marlin were around. Caught the worlds smallest rooster, some other mixed species, and ended it with a nice surprise from a Cubera Snapper. Heading out to do some beach fishing for roosters and jacks.

Bows And Bros

Well, Winter fishing isn't always about one fish. I mean, if you could even consider yesterday winter. I woke up at 8 am yesterday morning with plans of hanging out with friends at the mall. When I checked my phone, I noticed I had a text from Brandon. Just one simple phrase:

"Blue Today?"

I texted my friends who I already had plans with that there was a "family emergency," then called Brandon and we were set. We arrived at one of my favorite spots about 2 hours later, and after carrying Jenny (Brandon's dog) over a rock wall, we started fishing. Within 30 casts, I had a big fish on. He cruised around the bottom trying to bust me off, but the water was cold enough that he wasn't powering. It was dark in the canyon, so I couldn't see the fish, but as he got closer I saw a white jaw about the size of my hand opening and closing. "Got a big rainbow!" I called to Brandon. He helped me out with the net, and soon the fish was back in the water.

We kept fishing, and both Brandon and I caught two more browns of about 18 inches. What a great day.

We ventured on to our next fishing expedition, ready for whatever was to come. Or so we thought...

As I grabbed my rod and made my way down to the water, I failed to notice a large patch of ice at the bottom of a hill. I tripped and fell, wrenching my hand back and spraining my wrist. As it began to swell, we realized that it was the end of our day. Sorry, bro. It was super fun.

The doctor says I'll be able to strip well by the time we go to Mexico, but to rest up until then. My basketball coach is gonna be pissed, but oh well. It was worth it.

Christmas Cheer

With Christmas right around the corner, a lot of people are planning vacations. Since our "actual" vacation was planned months ago, I had plenty of time to schedule the real trip, or the fishing. After talking to a few people at the shop who had all been to Mexico, I decided that the best fly fishing guide in the area is Grant Hartman of Baja Anglers. Upon checking out his website, I was even more interested. Over 90 world records! That's crazy! So I called, and we got it all set up. Two days of fishing, starting out with a sort of warm-up day. Working along the beach for rooster fish, sierra mackerel, and possibly snapper. The next day, we head out to the depths of Ernest Hemmingway's brain the ocean to attempt a marlin on the fly. Epic! So now, what to tie? Lots of big stuff. How big? Like this. I'll report back later. From me and the rest of the class I'm in right now, have a good one!

Justin's Sardina, Size 4/0

Incognito Angler

Well, I just got a message from Howard to, "Stop disappearing, or I'll cut off your inheritance". I know, I know. If I leave any more, we might have to change the name of this blog to the Incognito Angler. Well Howard, it's that time of year in school again. The good old try-to-pack-5-weeks-into-3- stretch before winter break. One week from today, that's over. In the mean time, a preview of what's to come: