Fishing Report #36
October 27 – November 03, 2024
ESB Lodge wrapped up another wonderful week here in the jungle. It was great to see returning guests for our 36th week of the season. I had a lot of fun catching up with friends who look forward to their annual fall trip. Names like Morgan, Schneider, and Thielicke have become cemented in this late season group. I’m beginning to get mixed up with my years or seasons seeing repetitive weeks with returning guests. Same face, same time, same smiles.
Mother Nature continued to bare her teeth and kept us covered up with clouds and we had some bouts of rain that filled our jungle road to the brim. My supply run trucks turned amphibious plowing through the water and all terrain tires were pushed to the limit testing hidden objects lurking below. One identifying characteristic of a fisherman is how much we hang on to optimism and little shreds of hope and opportunity. I feel the salt game versus fresh holds more degrees of difficulty for the angler. The slightest changes, suggestions, shallow water follows, weather patterns, rest, alcohol rested woes, spins us off and resets a new charge of enthusiasm. We take the hand dealt and bravely put forth our best waving a ridiculous 9 foot section of carbon/graphite to the fish gods.
FISHING:
Tough rainy week in the weather department which lead to minimal light. Minimal light translated to hard conditions for guide and guest spot fish. My guides are incredible in their dedication to getting it done and put guests on fish. It’s been a tough go for these guys the last few weeks and I really salute them.
Permit fishing has taken a back burner for now in the bay due to tough conditions. A day and a half of brief sun revealed some fish on the southwest side of the bay and Ensenada. This large bay along the northern shoreline also had some groups moving around. Guests that dedicated time were able to get off a handful of casts and we had a couple solid follows and maybe even an eat… Shotgun style casts are called for where the permit pops up at an uncomfortably close range. Quick firing casts that can be anywhere from 8’ o’clock to 5’ o’clock keep you on your toes. Not the optimal situation but you take what you can get. Do yourself a favor and keep less line piled on the deck or floor. These short casts are about precision and a serious dose of luck. More line out contributes to the never-ending hazardous situations only a permit fisherman can work themselves into.
The permit are indeed around and a complete tide reversal sent a big push of water into the system. Freshwater is purging itself out of the bay which gets these fish riding on a hard incoming tidal surge. Chatting with the guides we concluded there are plenty of fish and the most obvious sign was fresh tracks/marks in softer bottom where permit were recently chowing crabs or rooting for shrimp. It’s a good sign, and as better light works its way into the forecast, we’ll see more fish. I have no doubt we’ll see a rebound in the permit numbers after a difficult last few weeks.
Bonefish are everywhere and have been a fun, honest pursuit for everyone. We had northeast to east winds for much of the week which opens our southern shoreline working deep into the southwest corner of the bay. It’s given guests more opportunity to crack into fish close to Punta Herrero and big commitments to chase permit north still lends to plenty of action for bones. Schools lean on the smaller side and singles and doubles tend to be bigger. Hot ticket now is covering mangrove lined shoreline hunting snook and tarpon with a bonefish rod on the ready. Tough light made it sometimes difficult to identify a smaller snook which in turn became a big bone picking it’s way through mangroves. A lovable chaos follows with frantic rod changes or a quick-change positioning from fishing partners. Keeping rods on the ready is a great way to maximize potential and fish landed. I do not apologize for ranting about some of the quality bonefish we have in ESB. History and fishing pressure has dubbed Yucatan as a small bonefish destination. Through strong conservation efforts and strict netting bans has really led to a significant increase in quality size fish. A quality bone in shallow water, milling along the bottom within comfortable casting range is a picturesque setting for any skinny water enthusiasts. DO NOT think of your bonefish rods as an afterthought when you pack for ESB. Ditch the 8 weight, grab a salt grade 6 or 7 and make sure you have decent amount of backing.
Snook and tarpon are around in consistent numbers. The southside opening up with the wind change gave guests a sweet option to patrol around Red Lagoon. We found plenty of fresh snook working their way through that finicky system. Red lagoon traditionally is a hot/cold area. The lagoon system is now teeming with life, and we’ll be in there on a consistent basis for the remainder of the season. Migratory baitfish start piling in have also become windblown victims with directions from north to east. I compare it to placing jumper cables on the fishery. These smaller fish work up the food chain and predators move in.
WEATHER & TIDES:
ESB experienced mostly cloudy skies and bouts of heavy rain. Midweek we saw brief sunlight and Saturday (go figure) became mostly sunny. The wind direction was northeast and east. Big tides in the am with a slight outgoing in the pm.
FLIES:
You’ll see a copied list from the previous week. Once we get some better permit days, we can give you an up to date on what worked. Tarpon, Snook, and Bones haven’t changed!
Tarpon and Snook flies were normal EP style baitfish with a sprinkling of gurglers and toads. For those of you coming in the weeks you must have a good selection EP Peanut Butters #2/0 in colors: red/black, purple/black, Everglades, chartreuse, chartreuse/white, white/grey, yellow/white, white/red.
I also love the tan laid up tarpon fly as well as EP boca grande in all colors. There’s really nothing that makes us know which particular color scheme will work at any given time but a nice variety will cover all scenarios.
Bonefish are gung-ho to eat any shrimp offering (or tarpon flies) sizes #8 – #2. Lighter weighted mantis shrimp are a sure bet in shallower water and weighted tumbell eyes help in deeper water.
Chef Luis kept us well fed and chomping away at scrumptious Yucatán cuisine. He, along with sous chef Angel have been rock solid for us this season and I salute their consistency and quality. As the season winds down I’ve been collaborating with the two of them as we begin to plan out some newer ideas for next year’s table fare. Staff crew kept the grounds and quarters tight and in working fashion. Our friend Juan Pablo has been settling in nicely with management and quickly is getting the “seasoned” feel down.
On a sad note, I’d like to mention the passing of Bob Popovics. Bob was a monster of tying, incredible teacher in all manner fishing, and a mentor to thousands. His legacy lays heavily imprinted on our industry and will continue to influence many for decades to come. I had the pleasure of sharing dinner with him during my industry trade show years along with author giant John Gierach who also passed earlier this month.
We’re gearing up for another week here, fresh batch of returning guests who are chasing shallow water wonders as I pump out this report. We have something unusual that greeted the lodge this morning… Looking east a massive orb was glowing as it climbed above the horizon. SUN!!!! I’m fired up to see what lies in store for the fishery and remain optimistic with a hopeful forecast the next 6 days.
On the Nat Geo side of things, the amount of rain has given me a wonderful show of critters escaping their flooded haunts in the jungle. The paved road to Mahahual gave me access to view Curassows, beautiful Ocellated Turkeys, Coatimundis (Coati), Agouti, foxes, and lots of turtles. On my last trip I stopped 5 times and saved small Box turtles that were crossing the road. “I brake for Turtles” is slogan I see people boast. Well here, I brake, stop, park, and deliberately move these innocent creatures out of harms way.
If you’re curious about ESB or want up to date info regarding this special place, check in with our friends over at The Fly Shop. They’ll dial you in and get you prepped. Hopefully everyone is reaping the rewards of a bountiful Halloween harvest. I was super happy to have some much needed candies some guests brought down on Sunday. Get outside, enjoy yourselves, embrace seasonal changes and let’s plan on next week for another updated report!
Saludos desde el Caribe Mexicano,
Dane, Chiara, Lucia, Negri, Canela
800-669-3474 | 530-222-3555 | travel@theflyshop.com | ESB Lodge
