[Editor: this article first appeared on www.ronsfishingblog and may only be used by permission of Ron Speed]

EL SALTO FISHING REPORT

Is this some kind of Winter storm or what? I was in Mexico at lake El Salto with a group of 24 fishermen where it was 75 degrees and sunny just before all of this started. Even that far South the cold front was still felt. The fishing was a little slower than at this same time last year due to the front but it was still a good trip. I fished with my good friend Richard Slack and even on our slowest day of fishing we still boated 40 Bass and our best day we caught 103 Bass. This was Richard’s first trip to El Salto and it sure didn’t take long for him to realize the potential of this great lake. As a group we averaged from 350 – 400 Bass per day with 11 Bass over 9 lbs and four of those were 10 lbers. Richard caught one Bass that was 28″ long with a 22″ girth. Watermelon/Red lizards worked the best for us on both Texas and Carolina rigs. Along with Watermelon/Red Wave Tiki Sticks we caught a lot of fish. There were no issues at all at the lake or anywhere we went. The lake is about 75% full and the water temp was 72 degrees. The lake was mostly clear and looked good. The temp during the day started out about 40 degrees and was close to 75 degrees during the day. The flights, lake, hotel in Mazatlan, dinner in Mazatlan on our return, shopping and the ride back to the airport were all fine.

The camp was operated very well, looked great and everyone there worked very hard to make our fishing trip a success once again. The food was even better this year although it has always been awesome! Ron’s staff did a very good job and we are looking forward to our February trip in a couple of weeks. I spoke with everyone I could speak with from Mazatlan and all around the Salto area and I could not find any reason for me or anyone else not to be able to fish at El Salto. Not at any time did any of us feel unsafe. I have trips planned for the Fall and I already have dates for next January and February.

There were several Bass in the 7 – 8 lb range caught by Billy Ray Johnson, Dave Albert, Richard Slack, Terry and Sandy Russell, Rickey McRae, Larry McDaniel and here is a list of Bass over 9lbs.

• Danny Shaw: 10.9 – 10.1
• Richard Slack: 10.1
• Lee Huey: 10.0
• Frank Occhipinti: 9.13 – 9.0
• Dave Johnson: 9.13
• Chuck Williamson: 9.10
• Sandy Russell 9.4:
• David Strahan: 9.0
• JW Peterson: 9.2
• Terry Tholen: 9.3

As fishing always goes, we missed other great opportunities to land Big Bass. I may have missed someone and if I did I will correct it on my next report.

[Editor: this article first appeared on www.ronsfishingblog and may only be used by permission of Ron Speed]

OPENING COMMENTS

I have given everyone a break from my blog and have taken some time off for myself which probably made us ALL pretty happy. I made a long trip up to North Dakota to watch my bird dogs point pheasant & prairie chickens.

It was a great break from this terrible Texas heat as I wore a jacket every morning. That’s wonderful country around Minot, ND in the summer but 30 degrees below zero in the winter definitely sends me to Mexico fishing.

We are preparing the El Salto camp for another great year of fishing which will make my 40th year of doing the fishing business in Mexico. It’s been a great 40 years and I am looking forward to this upcoming season with lots of excitement. We have many new programs that we will introduce this coming October. We have a variety of new prices with some being cheaper than any fishing package on any lake in the world. Our plans are to have complimentary massages, Cuban cigars, TV in the new houses, large outdoor bar at water’s edge, free ice cream 24/7, free internet service, satellite phone and our great Express boats.

MEXICO LAKES ARE STILL SAFE

There have been a lot of violence in a few large cities of Mexico with most of it happening in Juarez, across from El Paso. Most of the problems have occurred along the border with the USA. It all has been drug cartels fighting for territories among themselves.

Our area around the lakes has not changed one bit as it remains as safe as it always has been. We had the biggest number of clients in June & July that we have ever had in 40 years with absolutely no problems.

Both Ron Jr and I will be spending more time in the camps this coming season as the fishing should be better than ever. Hope to see you at the lake!

FISHING REPORT

This past summer we lowered our price, put in some new programs and had the most clients we have had in years. Thank goodness we also had the best big bass fishing we have ever had. The lake was at a low level with the bass congregated in big schools and our clients had fantastic fishing. I believe without a doubt this was the most big bass I have seen come out of El Salto since we opened our camp in 1990.

Gary White’s pure strain Floridas from Van, Texas really came front and center this summer. If we get our normal September rains we should have the best year fishing that we have had in years. Our clients caught fish this summer on almost everything they put in the water. The bass are strong & healthy and in very good condition with a good balance of food and nutrients in the lake.

Our reservations already have more than doubled from a year ago as Americans are realizing that a trip to Lake El Salto in Mexico is as safe as a trip to Lake Fork in Texas and a whole lot more fun. Why not come enjoy the great fishing at Salto and make some lifetime memories.

Next blog will be about fishing Mexico’s lakes during the 1970s and all about the hundreds of charter flights to those remote locations. I think you all will enjoy some of the stories.

GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR FISHING AND WEAR THAT LIFEJACKET!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!