As the patrol ship from the Mexican Navy greeted our arrival at Isla Clarion and bid us good morning and good luck with the project, we immediately settled in to exactly what we were hoping for. We enjoyed a full day of catching, tagging, and releasing yellowfin tuna mainly in the 100 - 150# class with a regular sprinkling of bigger fish including half a dozen from 175 - 190, a 205, and a 259# whopper for Revillagigedo tagging project veteran and enthusiast Mike McHatton. Sixty four tags were deployed in yellowfin tuna today as well as forty in Wahoo that did a very good job of wreaking havoc on tuna anglers steadily snipping off baits and hooks while constantly marauding in our vicinity.

I have to tell all of you that this is almost unbelievable. And, if not, definitely falls into the almost too good to be true category. Flat calm conditions, again very good sign of exactly what we were hoping for, virtually no sharks with only a couple of fish corn cobbed in the early morning and a handful incidentally caught, and the verdant, beautiful island of Clarion providing the backdrop. Our entire day consisted of a little bit of trolling to get the lay of the land and three different anchor jobs; all of which produced extended action on exactly what we were targeting. Supermarket fishing we call it - just walk down each isle and pick your fancy off the shelf; it is that good. Every one of us is living the fisherman's dream - an ocean full of fish, tanks brimming full of bait, perfect weather, and nothing to do but catch as many as we are physically able. Paradise.

I know I have spoken of this before. I can only hope that my paltry descriptive efforts are doing these voyages the justice they are entitled. What I should really do is let the anglers do the talking. They are the true barometer of success. If I could effectively harness the look on their faces or even a miniscule portion of the elation their body language and behavior expresses, the task would be complete. There would be little else necessary to say.

In the meantime we continue the project basking in and supremely grateful for the opportunity and privilege to introduce, champion, and participate in the Revillagigedo tagging project. As I stated the results, from both the scientific and personal perspective of the participants donating to the success of the project, really speak for themselves.

Needless to say, unless some profound, dramatic change in conditions occurs, we plan to remain at Isla Clarion for the duration hoping to maintain the pace throughout the next three days. All systems are in place and we are highly motivated so we will see how the fish gods treat us tomorrow and beyond. It's a beautiful world here. Amazing.