5/13/15 Taking the rock and roll of northeast passage in stride we made good time and passed the day in contemplative reverie. A look back on the previous eleven days, that now already seem like a lifetime before, illuminates much to appreciate. Safe passage, smooth operation of the machinery, and relatively benign weather made for an easy time of it. When making such distant offshore voyages slow fishing is quite a ways down on the list of potential challenges. Though at times if can feel like the end of the world when the fish are gone or don't bite it's not; things can get far more complicated if any, or all, of the above mentioned factors pile on. It never hurts to take a step back, reset, and view your long range voyage results through this lens. Oftentimes doing so reminds one that the glass is half full; a much better perspective than anything else.

But our reflecting on this run thank fully includes the fishing fortune we sought in the end. "All's well that ends well" as the saying goes. Our northerly passage includes the jubilance of success, triumph over the odds, difficulty met with fortitude and rewarded in full: I love it when voyages end this way. Though we all know it - the lessons of life have placed just about every angler on our boats the old fashioned way, it's always nice to live the lessons reinforced. "Seeing is believing". Following yesterday's results, and those of so many times past I couldn't even begin to recall, we believe; so do an awful lot of anglers who choose Royal Star for their long range voyages year after year.

Sunday welcomes Royal Star in San Diego with Captain Paul Caramao in command during the northerly trek from Cabo. Royal Star angler's who have fished with Captain Paul Caramao over the past six seasons have witnessed an ambitious young man fresh off deck of the New Lo-Ann become a capable Chief Engineer, expert fisherman, and now trustworthy Master of Royal Star. As well as Paul has performed on Royal Star he is the next heir apparent. Look for him at the helm of a Royal Star voyage during upcoming seasons. He has earned the respect of the Royal Star ownership team, fellow crewmen, and loyal anglers. I am very pleased to be part of this exemplary young man's journey. All of his achievements have come through determination, dedication, and an exemplary work ethic. I am confident that he will do well.

On the admin side we throw the lines on Sunday for a few days of nit pick maintenance then she is back out on the 23rd for a three day Memorial Day weekend run. Solid signs of tuna already promise action on the offshore grounds if the weather is in our favor. Along the coast quality yellowtail are still abundant suggesting opportunity for variety as well. Beyond Memorial day we scheduled one more weekend 1 1/2 day voyage and are entertaining notions of adding one more. June 5th is the official beginning of our 2015 summer season with the Baja Fish Gear eight day voyage leading the charge. We still have a few openings on the first eight day run of the season if any are interested. Captain Brian Sims is holding down the office for a few days. I will join him tomorrow and next week to answer any and all questions. Reports and ETA updates will continue until Royal Star returns on Sunday the 17th.

Photos today feature another long time Royal Star master angler Tim Ziegler reefing on his 222 then with his prize coming over the rail tail first. An interesting angle to be sure the second image does well to proportion the true dimensions of these beautiful fish.

Tim Ekstrom