Good morning all from the tropical waters of Panama. A gentle breeze, slightly overcast skies and the distinct yet soothing smell of the mother nature's greatest creation, the ocean, once again greet us as we start this new and final day aboard the Intrepid. For the passengers I sense no hint of finality or sorrow as this great journey nears it's conclusion. Rather, we the passengers silently acknowledge to each other the incredible opportunity we were fortunate to experience together. As we review the pictorial images, taken from numerous digital cameras, downloaded onto several computers one cannot help but relive in our minds the experiences denoted in those great pictures. Regardless if the digitally captured experience was a personal one or shared by others from their own cache of adventures we all were close enough to the events to recognize we were individually drawn into the scene simply by being here, functioning as a family operating to the beat of one heart and one mindset. The crew and passengers clearly have bonded united in the knowledge we all played an integral in the creations of our fellow shipmates lifetime memories and experiences. To recognize, we each will be remembered, years or decades later, as one or more of our fellow passengers fondly revisits the greatest times in their lives, as one of the integreal partners in that individuals "Trip of a Lifetime", can be only described as heart warming and soul enhancing. Each of us knows we have put smiles on the faces of each other, reveled as one in the spirit of this trip and have now left an indelible imprint in the memory banks of our fellow shipmates. WOW!!!!!! And here I thought we just came here to get a sun tan and do some fishing. Okay, I never really thought that but no person could have realized the extent of how this adventure would enhance the rest of our lives. As Kona Mike and David C, I believe, are putting together some digital footage I am reminded how many great movies take a few minutes at the end to highlight and name the individuals who contributed to the film. In my case I would like to key in on the skipper and crew in an attempt to share the overwhelming feelings of family and commeraderie these carefully chosen gentlemen imbued into our fortunate group. Captain Kevin: The ambience and direction of each trip, the cadence and mood along with most all other aspects of a long range trip start and stop with the Skipper. Since I first met Kevin, as the replacement skipper for the Intrepid, I realized the owner Ken had found an investment opportunity. A special individual with the keen sense, foresight and ability to implement the prime directives, to "Boldly go where no man has gone before".... Okay, you caught me I plagerized that part. The point was from day one Kevin was about the experience. Though fishing does not actually take care of itself there is only so much a skipper can do to put the passengers onto fish. The Intrepid is so much more than just an incredible fishing machine as Kevin insures the prime directive of customer service and attention to individual details are carried out to the best ability of the crew. Leaders in the world (NO not flouro leaders) are few and far between. Great leaders are fewer yet. Great leaders who can in transfer their mandates and passions to their crew members who actually carry out those requirments with confidence and a sense of team spirit are worth their weight in Gold. Kevin is one of those rare individuals. After meeting his father, Robert, I can begin to understand why. Thank you Kevin for bringing out the best in both the crew and the passengers. Jason: Jason is a skipper in his own right who operates a 6 pack operation out of San Diego as well as a known crew member on long range boats such as the Shogun fits right into this great operation. Bringing in a wealth of experience and a certain stability which comes with a bit more age Jason adds another dimension to an already multi dimensional crew. Chatting about the old days is something many of us "Old Guys" just love to revisit. Jason has been there and done that so hours were spent just enjoying the day and chatting about old and new times. Somehow, I was enjoying one of our chats so much I forgot to get out on the Kayak at one of the bays we were anchored at. Yes, I enjoyed his company that much. So much knowledge, so much history and so much shear passion for the sport of fishing. Right on Jason. Kona Mike: Everyone who knows Mike just loves Kona. Eternally young and Eternally Kona Mike. Quite and gentle Mike can instill confedence in anglers be they in a skiff, fishing from a Kayak or on the big boat. Mike is the epitimy of "Born to water". Fresh water or Salt Mike clearly is in his element when surrounded by nature's perfect liquids. NO, not Scotch... Oceans and lakes. Catching trophy Trout or giant Tuna, Mike is all about it and fully understands how to make the passengers feel like they belong to the group as well as joyously conveying his knowledge of knots, history of the sport and fishing techniques to those who wish to learn. I was so glad to hear Mike would be here on the Intrepid for our adventure as he adds his own unique style and sense of Kona Karma to the trip. Scott: A fishing teddy bear is the first thought which comes to mind. However, Scott has the heart of a lion. Scott at first sight can be slightly imposing but in truth is the first person to be there when you need him. With a smile and grace, a laugh and a helping hand, Scott is "Johnny on the spot" be it getting a passenger a soda or glass for their Scotch in the Galley or all about helping an angler land a big fish from the big boat. Having learned what is important on a long range operation, which in some weird way can be a metaphor for getting along in life, Scott just "Gets It". As a crew member or friend Scott just makes each of our lives better, especially when he tends the deck wearing his L.A. Dodger Jammies, deck shoes, T shirt and of course his oversized belt filled with Dykes, Pliers and tools of the trade. A strong work ethic combinded with a Git ER Done attitude is Scott in spades. How can you not smile and enjoy the day just a bit more when Scott is around? Deron: Deron may be the blue print for eternal youth. When I found out Deron was about to turn 30 I just shook my head and wondered what magical DNA did his family have to keep him from aging. Deron is the blending of one part old soul and 10 parts eager youth. Always a huge smile and a helping hand the passengers and crews just know we are more than fortunate to have him aboard. Deron is one of those few folks who have NO hidden agenda. He has nothing to prove and does not operate from a place of insecurity. Don't let Deron's joyous demeanor fool you. He is all about enhancing the fishing experience for each and everyone of us. I for one, who never wished to grow up, cannot help but feel younger when hanging with Deron. The quick wit and banter along with sharing our own forms of self depricating humor make the Deron Experience so much more than just a Crew-Passenger sort of thing. I wish every boat had a Deron but you have to go on the Intrepid to get this experience. Chef Paul: The fishing Chef. The man with the golden touch...and hint of garlic. Be it a perfect Prime Rib, hand seasoned and rubbed to perfection, or a specialty breakfast made "Your way", Stir fry chicken or a Sushi platter made to perfection Paul is all about the customer service aspect. I am particularly tough in that I do not eat fish (Other than Paul's previously noted amazing Blackened Tuna) Paul always has my special needs met. Never a grumble, always a smile and Paul makes sure the crew members who help me out also know not to serve me the fish. Though certainly I would not at all be bothered should I accidentally be served the wrong meal there is a certain feeling of customer service when one of the guys says Jamie, your meal will be right here. In my business I was all about Customer Service and always measure others by my own level of expectation in this regard. Clearly the Intrepid is about Customer Service and Chef Paul takes that service to the next level. The only drawback to Paul are his home made desserts. Forget the term "Just say No". It is impossible when you see and smell the home made flakey Pie Crusts, the lighter than air cakes, the fruit medelys which somehow become the perfect topping for certain creations or his amazing bread pudding. Paul, those of us trying to reduce our waist lines by pushing away the desserts have no chance against your culinary skills. Oh Well, I guess my tailor will just make a few more bucks letting out the waist of my pants. Bummer. Back to the adventure. Sitting up here in the Non Wheel house the conversation just begun about how many times the fish won our battles. Rather than bad connections being our nemisis it was the Rocks and brute strength of the variety of species. Our jobs were to turn the heads of these driven beasts to keep them from "Rocking" us. No matter how much we think we know how to man-handle big Tuna or other species, some of the creatures just drove everyone crazy when they won their freedom by just being meaner than we were. How many times did we chalk up the scoreboard Fish-1, Fisherman-0??? Funny, here in Panama, we the fishermen really respect the accomplishments of the fish. Our job is not to kill them rather we only wish to be the victor in the bout where each of the participants, after the fight, lick their wounds knowing we would all be back to fight another day. Respect is given and earned on both sides of the reel. This is so much different thant trying to kill everything when the big tuna are biting. Did I mention I LOVE catch and release?? I believe Kevin has been good about including some pictures in these reports. I am generally too tired to review the reports along with knowing which pictures Kevin included. However, this time, I know we have at least one of the 8 amazing sunsets we experienced. The other picture is of one of the Sushi Platters presented to us by Chef Paul. NO, this is not a photo from some of your favorite Sushi Bars unless, like many of us, our favorite Sushi bar is right here on the Intrepid. NIIIIIIIICEE!!!!!!!! In retrospect I must reiterate the nature of this trip. If all you care about is catching fish this trip may not be the best financial investment for you. Not to say you cannot get your fill of fish and variety in species as YOU CAN but the real revelation of this trip is all the other activities the Intrepid and her crew have arranged for us. Once you have snorkled any one or all of the myriad bays we anchored at you may never seeing the visual equal anywhere else in the world. I have fished and dived all over the world including the Great Barrier Reef in Australia and I have to say Panama certainly can rival that scenery on a much larger square mile scale. The only draw back to the snorkling in the beautiful waters of Panama is the realizeation and small amount of fisherman frustration when we discover just how many catchable fish are located on just about every square inch of the beaches and rocks. Our targeted species just would swim by every few seconds in sizes we wished would be on the end of our lines. Yet the beauty of the creatures swimming naturally and not trying to spit a hook out of its mouth is just breath taking. (Please do not take a breath of the top of your snorkel is under water) As a fisherman I want to hook them all, as an adventurer I can only marvel in their perfect creation and hope my children and grandchildren will one day experience what I have enjoyed on this amazing trip. Fishing from or just Paddling the Kayaks is a gas. Feeling the snap and turn of the bow when I hooked a fish on a popper from a Yak has little or no rival. Drag pressure if mostly how fast the finned creature can tow the Yak. Talk about exhileration knowing I was not on a 100 ton stable platform rather I am on a rather unstable 50 pound piece of plastic trying to land a fish. Even I would have a tough time putting into words this amazing experience. Traveling or fishing from the Intrepid's skiff adds another dimension to this trip. Somewhere between the cruisers and the Yaks the fishermen are just a bit closer and thus more intepmate with the whims of the surf or tidal surges as one is hooked up to another mean fish. Once just becomes more conciencous of just how powerful mother nature is. Though Kevin is the skipper in truth mother is really in charge. Thank goodness "Mom" allows us to participate in the joys only she can provide. Previously I mentioned you can swim with the porpoise or maybe a giant Manta. The greatness of the truth is knowing what we really do not know. That is what the next minute or the next day will present to us. Will we take the bull by the horns and jump in with both feet while our hearts pump loud and hard or will we play it safe preferring to witness the creatures from the boat. No option is wrong and no option is right but each of us pushed ourselves just a bit harder and a bit further than most of us thought we would go. None of us really know what we will do in the next situation but within the first few days those who said they would "Never" ended up "Doing"...... Everyone got out of their comfort zone. Everyone was a better man or woman for it. For those who are fortunate enough to be on one of the next Panama adventures be sure to try the popping experience. Everyone who tried it is hooked. By no means will you catch as many fish as with bait but the exhileration of the experience cannot be duplicated. Though the boat is fully equiped consider some big splash poppers with a bit of red yet smaller in size as the bait fish right now appear to be on the smaller side. Try some of the drop jigs for a change of pace. If you are not familiar with the techniques just ask a crew member to show you. Remember, getting out of your comfort zone and trying something new without fear of looking like a goofball should be a goal of everyone. Poppers are about numbers of casts as are drop jigs. The more casts or drops the better your chances of hooking something. Besides, the exercise will not kill us. In Closing, THANK YOU Ken for all that you have done for this fisherman and this sport. You continue to make contributions to this industry which in my opinion can only improve the experiences derived from Long Range Fishing for this and future generations. Unfortunately now I have to get back to reality and give you back your Yacht. Though the guys made it feel like we were the owners I have to come back to reality and recognize I am not the owner.... Ouch. Of course on the other hand I do not have to wash it down, pay the bills, fill it with fuel, etc. Hmmmmm Maybe it is just better to feel like the owner than actually be the owner. Oh Maaan, I feel even better than I did a minute ago. Thank you Ken and Thank you to the crew and passengers of the Intrepid Panama Trip number 4 for making the latest memories some of the best in my life. Jamie. "The Intrepid Team"