Guaymas-Angler's Paradise

Guaymas (why-mus) on the Gulf of California is truly a fisherman's paradise. Greatest thrill of all is provided by marlin fishing. From the time you leave port until your boatman hangs out the marlin flag, you find yourself in some of the world's finest deep sea fishing waters. The marlin is a noted fighting fish. In the waters of the Gulf of California off Guaymas, sportsmen's mecca 88 highway miles south of Hermosillo, are fighting fish beyond old Ike Walton's fondest dream. Marlin will strain your heaviest rod, yellowtail and dolphin are there for a scrap on light tackle, and sea trout prowl along shore ready to smash at the plug-caster's lure. Best known to us for sportfishing and its hunting, Guaymas also boasts of agriculture and cattle, commercial fishing and shrimp freezing, a modern dairy, shipyards, tannery and galvanizing plant. The city of 20,000, whose buildings recall the early days of French colonization, nestles among rocky hills beside the best harbor on Mexico's west coast.

reason, one must use a moving, artificial lure. During the winter months, many sea trout "corbina" of one to five pounds weight are caught by anglers casting from rocks along shore with light fresh water tackle and red and white bass plugs. However, in order to cover a larger area of water with less exertion, most fishermen find it desirable to troll. All sportfishing boats in Guaymas operate on a charter basis, and are entirely at the disposal of the fisherman as to the size of the party and choice of waters to be fished. Up to six persons can spend the day in comfort on most of these 28 to 35 foot boats, which are designed and built for the one purpose of big game fishing. Rates, which are from $45 to $60 daily April through July and from $20 to $40 during the remainder of the year, include the services of captain and mate, ice, bait, and all such incidentals except fishing rods, for which there may be an additional charge. All boats except the very poorest have cabins with one or two bunks and toilet facilities; also ice boxes, bottled drinks and lunches as desired being placed on board by the fishing party. Fishing permits sell for 80 cents.

For a full day's fishing, one of the regular large charter boats is preferable. Gulf waters far out from shore are home to the migratory, surface feeding game fish in their season. In summer there are the golden clad dolphin, weighing from five to fifty pounds; tuna, skipjack, palometa, crevalle, Spanish mackerel, and other species. Winter brings the yellowtail, barracuda, white sea bass, and similar varieties familiar to California waters. Although the famed Mexican white sea bass or "totoaba" has been so depleted by commercial fishing that only rarely now is one reported in the Guaymas area, many other bass-like fish are year round residents in deep waters close off rocks. Granddaddy of the tribe is the grouper, or "baya," similar to the Pacific black sea bass and often weighing 80 pounds or more. Taken by trolling with large metal spoons or whole mackerel bait, the baya puts up a stubborn fight among the jagged rocks of its habitat and lucky is the angler who succeeds in boating a large one. If fishing with rod and reel should conceivably pall, the giant manta ray of the Gulf can provide chills and thrills for the hearty. A ton or more in weight, perhaps 20 feet across the wing-like flippers, black on top and white on the underneath gill-slitted surface, the "mobula" might be most nearly described as resembling a gigantic bat. Clothed in nature's roughest sandpaper, it can slash through flesh and bone with the edges of its fins or strike whip-like with its four foot tail, which, contrary to popular belief, carries no barb. It is a giant fish of Gulf. All through the year, many varieties of medium sized fish are to be taken in Guaymas waters. In pier or surf fishing, one is hampered by the presence of hordes of small fish known as blowfish "batetes" and triggerfish "puercos." These ravenous little fellows, weighing from onehalf to two pounds, inhabit every foot of shoreline and are so alert to seize the hook that it is seldom any other type of fish finds opportunity to be caught. For this Calm bay waters permit safe, pleasant operation of small boats, and the owner of a car-top or trailer-carried outboard should bring his equipment along. Such boats are very difficult to rent in Guaymas, although no pleasanter spot for the sport could be found than Bacochibampo. Trolling along under walls of jagged volcanic rock and out around the pelicans' nesting place of Isla Blanca, one may land fish of a half-dozen or more strange species. Cabrilla, red snappers, small groupers and related varieties lurk down deep near the rocks. Perhaps luck will bestow that most beautiful of the rare, a gorgeous golden cabrilla, the giant goldfish of the Gulf. On a tack out through open water, mackerel and skipjack will snatch at the feather lure almost before it can be placed in the water, or a slender, gar-like needlefish may fancy the chrome spinner. then tumble acrobatically through the air as it realizes its error. And skirting close along a sandy beach with larger baits trailing, one may try for that most coveted of summer bay fish, "pez gallo," named roosterfish for the colorful, comb-like dorsal fin which he carries so proudly above the water as he flashes along after his unfortunate prey.

Each year during the Guaymas marlin and sailfish season, which extends with slight variation from April through October, an estimated 800 to 1200 billfish are landed on sporting boats in the area. Unfortunately, difficulties in collection and distribution cause the waste of nearly all this fine edible fish. More and more sportsmen are adopting the policy of releasing alive to propagate the species all uninjured fish which are not of record size. The striped marlin, prized as a game, endurable fighter, may weigh weigh from 90 to 350 pounds or even more, averaging around 160, while the much less common black marlin is a larger fish and seldom weighs in at less than 300, often tipping the scales in the neighborhood of 500. The Pacific sailfish, distinguished by its beautiful fan-shaped dorsal fin, is regarded as small fry by seasoned Guaymas anglers. Weighing from 60 to 140 pounds, the sailfish jumps frantically when first hooked, but lacks the marlin's stamina for a long fight and is brought to the boat in an average 15 minutes as compared to the marlin's one to three hour battles.

From Nogales, one can drive to Guaymas in about eight hours, travel on the daily train in twelve hours, or fly at very reasonable rates in Aeronaves de Mexico airliners. Many west coast visitors arrive on Aerovias Reforma planes, leaving their automobiles at Tijuana, and there are special charter planes from Tucson and Los Angeles. The Nogales highway is now completely paved to a point some distance south of Santa Ana, and the dirt road from Hermosillo to Guaymas permits speeds up to 50 miles, but in the unpaved section north of Hermosillo construction of bridges over the numerous dry washes necessitates many detours and consequent difficulty for the driver of any low-clearance automobile.

Private aircraft are admitted to Mexico with a minimum of delay. Flight permit and tourist cards are obtainable at the local Mexican consulate, a check out of this country may be made with American Immigration authorities at Nogales, and a landing at Hermosillo for inspection by Mexican officials is required. After this procedure has been carried through, a private pilot may fly to any part of Mexico. DC-3 commercial aircraft regularly land on the Guaymas airstrip, and gasoline suitable for light planes is obtainable at the field. On the return trip, it is necessary to check out of Mexico at Hermosillo, and one must land at Nogales International Airport at a pre-arranged time to meet U. S. Customs and other inspectors. Accommodations to suit almost any taste are available in Guaymas, but during all months except July, August. and September, it is advisable to make reservations in advance. This is essential during the best marlin fishing months of May and June, and even more particularly so in mid-May when crowds attracted by the colorful Fiesta de la Pesca visit the city. In Guaymas proper, Hotel Pacifico, Hotel Almada, Mamy's Restaurant, and other establishments provide for those who wish to become intimately acquainted with the city, while most vacation-ists are attracted to the Miramar Beach area, about four miles west of town. Here on the shores of Bacochibampo Bay, two fine hotels and a number of lovely private beach homes comprise a colony devoted exclusively to the pursuit of fun, sun, and fighting fish. At Miramar Beach you can enjoy the hospitality of Don Luis Canalizo and the convenience of a well-arranged motel, with parking near the room and dining at the centrally located restaurant. Attractive double rooms are at rates of $7 daily and less, with housekeeping cottages slightly higher and meals about $1 each. New buildings recently completed and now under construction will double Miramar's capacity, and plans for next season contemplate the operation of a fleet of sportfishing boats. For a touch of luxury, you can relax in the informal atmosphere of Hotel Playa de Cortes, where the skillful management of Mrs. Eldred Holbert-Tanner blends picturesque Mexico with the Chicago's Hotel Sherman's Pump Room splendor. The double rates of $27.50 daily include excellent meals, with most foods imported from the United States. There is a salt water plunge in the central patio, beautifully landscaped grounds, and a fleet of sport fishing cruisers for the convenience of the guests.