11/03/13

Sharply freshened breeze and an accompanying less than desirable sea state motivated the final move into a formidable
manufactured calm. The peaceful setting was well received along with spectacular scenery but the fishing once again fell
short. Not from a lack of fish - beefy spots of yellowtail were found and worked hard - but they wanted nothing to do with
our offerings, nada.

So passes the final day of this trial that provided a perfect platform for us to demonstrate what we are about. Strength in
the face of adversity is the true measure of one's character and ability. One can easily get caught up in a string of excuses
and/or rationalizations when things go south - the tried and true mark of amateurs. The real tests expose experience,
determination, grit, and competence.

I don't like it when fishing is tough, but I love the challenge. I love rising in the early morning after tossing and
scheming all night itching to get back down in the trenches fishing. When it is easy, and at times it most certainly is,
there is little to differentiate the highliners from the average, or at times even the below average. When it is tough, when
one has to grind and apply all their experience, instinct, and savvy, the difference is extreme. There are, there have been
some great examples of this reality lately, as there always are. Trends don't lie. I have some real, earned respect for my
colleagues out here. This is a damn good group of fishermen.

As for this run production on the big three - quality, quantity, and variety - was a decided challenge. We had plenty to work
with in the way of conditions and tools, the fish were simply off wherever they go. I say the fish meaning the biggest and
best: plenty of quantity in the form of school size tuna and our scratched out mixed bag of bigger wahoo, dorado, larger
yellowfin tuna, and yellowtail resides pristine in the RSW tank. We made a catch here, especially in light of what we had to
work with, it just wasn't up to our hopes and dreams upon departure.

As I have said many times - that is fishing. Fortunately for us average and below average results are not the standard on
Royal Star. A marginal amount of slow fishing is built into the equation; it comes with the territory, but we would not
survive if less than the best satisfied. Randy, Brian, and I all share the same philosophy: just good is not good enough, and
never will be. The inevitable valley's only serve to steel our resolve. That is how, that is why, the equation sways to our
favor the vast majority of the time. We don't look for an out, we look for an in.

From a positive perspective I can say that this group of seasoned anglers understood the circumstances and maintained
confidence and a positive outlook despite Mother Nature's attempts to rain on our parade. These anglers recognized the effort
and experience knowing full well that if it was to be done we would do it. We executed a solid strategy, maintained
professional composure, caught a few fish, and had a good time doing it - a successful voyage in the most important
categories.

Presently heading northwest we absorb the final day in travel mode pleased to be hugging the coast avoiding a little bit of
local slop on the outside. Photo today features long time Royal Star veteran Gary Bobay with a jig enticed wahoo coming over
the rail a couple of days prior.

Tim Ekstrom


Photo Here...