We finished up on the offshore grounds witnessing a significant weather change that arrived with a freshening morning breeze. By mid afternoon conditions were sloppy and a far cry from the glorious flat calm of the prior two days. The good news is that the fishing did not suffer and came on right out of the gates as opposed to our lackluster morning results yesterday. In fact, we woke up on fish not moving the boat for over an hour after daylight picking at a few bluefin and yellowfin tuna. It did not develop into a big hit but the morning drift action set the tone as we launched into a productive morning on yellowfin tuna, yellowtail, and dorado associating with kelps. The action was steady from regular stops that had everyone out at the rail the majority of the time through about noon. After noon the wind came on and only the heartier handful maintained the charge as we headed towards a different zone with promise of more bluefin and perhaps a few albacore to finish out our time on the grounds.

It was a modest success but the move led to a favorable heading towards home that was appreciated by all as we trekked up the line at dark with a planned arrival time of 0630 tomorrow at Fisherman's Landing. After a quick re supply and baiting, Randy will be taking the boat back out as my brief, twenty something day stint is now at an end.

It never ceases to amaze me that as much as I look forward to jumping off for a couple of voyages to spend time with my wife of seventeen years and my four year old son and eight year old daughter, I harbor guilt pangs about not going on the upcoming voyage. Most certainly it has to do with the fact that we have developed such strong bonds with our anglers, some of whom I have fished with on Royal Star for over seventeen years. Every time we arrive and I greet the upcoming group of anglers I can't help but wish I was going with them. Between all the good times we have shared and conversations unique to being on the water, just about everyone we fish with, in one degree or another, becomes a friend, or at least like a friend. We may not be in contact until the next voyage but when we get back out there together the conversation resumes as we pick up where we left off and rekindle the good relationships we have developed on board. It is a special thing, distinctly unique to the world of long range fishing. The bonds we develop with anglers go far beyond basic business. Because we share so much time together in a isolated environment, we are compelled to interact at personal levels. For us it is one of the many rewards long range fishing provides. I simply can not relate, and could probably fill pages and pages with the knowledge I have gleaned from conversations with anglers whom I admire and respect on Royal Star. It is a incredible bonus of our occupation that I regularly acknowledge with my crew and appreciate for it's incredible value.

So I will miss out on this voyage taking time off the water to tend to shore side business and recreate with my amazing little tribe who treasure the time we spend together. So do I. As such I will sign off today handing the reins to Randy for the next annual "Nakumura" six day voyage. Prospects remain excellent though the setting is presently very dynamic. Actually, it has been very dynamic all season. There are plenty of fish around but the pattern seems to change almost daily. One really has to be on their game utilizing all their resources and resourcefulness to consistently succeed - especially offshore. But I have talked about that enough already. Rest assured when it come to both the above listed qualities there is no better man on the water than Captain Randy Toussaint. Between his amazing drive and instinct, vast knowledge and experience, and famous focus and resourcefulness, there is no better fishing Captain that I know of. Hands down. Randy is the best fisherman out there. The results speak to this truth. So anglers are in good hands as Randy and the boys head south seeking the road less traveled. Look for Randy's reports to continue and go fishing. Now is the time!

Tim