3/13/13

No doubt this was a nail biter. Right to the end, with an hour and a half to go, in perfect conditions at the
location of legend it finally unfolded as we sought; and was by far the best we have seen there in many years. A
text book morning hit when a fish or two climbed on before the crack giving us a hint of their presence then bum
rushed us in an all out assault as dawn broke.

Needless to say, though I was preparing everyone with energetic pep talks well before the main event (I had a
strong idea based on the conditions and electronics that it was coming), it was sheer madness for the first few
moments as we went from nothing hooked to ten going over the span of about three minutes. But for a handful of
smaller fish that showed at the end the size average was 120 - 170 with a token two or three cows in the mix - text
book islands.

Of course when they showed up with an appetite we were more than ready, and pleased, to accommodate utilizing all
the goods we had saved throughout the voyage for this exact occasion. Literally pouring it to them the show was
stunning - 150 pounders flying out of the water everywhere around the boat, enormous blowouts as long casts landed
in the zone and were instantly hammered; this was what came for.

Then it was over. Full daylight was upon us, a pack of voracious grinners arrived for the party effectively
shutting us down, a deckload of twenty something beauties confirmed the mornings success, and the last three big
fish were hanging on the line. As good as our fortune was it stands to reason that we would land the last few in
tribute to a stunningly successful end. And indeed we did. A couple more high hundreds and a final 242 closed the
book on the 2013 Clipperton/Revillagigedo run.

The Royal Star lesson from this epic ending is to remain optimistic, and prepared, right to the bitter end; every
time. We don't quit, give up, or throw the towel in early when there is room for success, ever. Last night as we
steamed toward our final destination a few anglers were out back breaking down their gear assuming, I suppose, that
it was an exercise in futility. Captain Brian Sims rebuked them gently with commentary to the effect of "what are
you doing? We're not done". He then provided them with a list of legendary final hits and eleventh hour miracles
that have been somewhat of my trademark, actually more than somewhat, over the past twenty five years.

Miracle is certainly a stretch, but the culmination of tireless effort and steadfast determination often proves
positive - I have found. And that is the guarantee that we offer every Royal Star angler. This time, after
scratching, picking, kicking, and clawing our way along, especially after we departed my beloved Clipperton, it
came together in the end. We make our way toward Cabo San Lucas, ultimately San Diego, with a beautiful load of RSW
tuna and wahoo in addition to a full frozen tank; an ample, very respectable bounty of product in every respect.

The ultimate topper of the day was glorious flat calm conditions as we steamed north making for a smooth, pleasant
go of it; an easy passage of time with everyone energized and basking in the afterglow of such an unexpected,
tremendously successful turn of events. Good timing to be sure, and professionally satisfying at a level I can not
sufficiently express. The boys were rockin' this morning. They held the line big time, and then some.

Photo for the day features first time long range angler Ross Cooper who ventured all the way from Australia to make
the 2013 Royal Star Clipperton run. Speaking of tenacity, Ross put his time in at the rail, learned the gear and
methods through the school of hard knocks, stuck with it through a lot of challenging conditions, and earned the
ultimate reward in the end. Ross picked off this 209 in the final minutes of this adventure on the flylined
caballito; job well done!

Tim Ekstrom


Photo Here...