01/23/15

Ahhh... Sweet passage after a night of wallowing and rolling up the line in moderate Santa Ana winds and confused sea conditions. By 0700 though the brief period of exaggerated movement was a distant memory. Flat calm conditions - light and variable winds, zero seas, and a gentle nautical sway were all one could feel. It was the perfect note to wrap up this voyage on. The traditional final evening prime rib feast was served in conditions so calm that one could hardly tell they were at sea on a moving vessel. That luxury in itself is worth volumes.

So we close this run on a high note. Not without it's challenges in the way of fishing and weather through determination, time, and effort we ground out a very nice catch. While there are always "could've, should've, would've" occasions to reflect upon we came out on the winning end this run in the face of conditions and options that could have aligned in far darker fashion for the faint of heart.

We earned them this run, every one of them, but that makes the end result that much more satisfying. And, for returning veterans and those new to long range fishing, peaks and valleys in every fishery are the norm. Where we were the recipients of real favor is in the options with which we were blessed, in particular the Alijos option there and back. To have that as part of our present repertoire is a bonus that can not be overstated.

It is always different - always; sometimes for the better, sometimes for the worse. In the case of this voyage for the better, and the timing was perfect for it. So again passes another successful adventure featuring the big three. We are mighty grateful to one and all for their positive contributions to this successful outcome. Final voyage photo features Royal Star angler Norm Nagaishi with one of his several fat skinnies landed on the back end of this run. Look for Captain Randy Toussaint's reports to commence Sunday as he take the helm on our next "Braid Products" sponsored, fifteen day adventure.

Tim Ekstrom

Photo Here...