Well the ball continued rolling in the right direction as our luck (and dare I say experience in this area) led us to the opportunity we were waiting for shortly after we commenced searching on day five of our fourth and final Panama voyage. Same as the previous days a spot was found mid morning and bait was thrown only what transpired over the next twenty minutes was an incredible upgrade from the fishing experienced over the past four days. This time the fish that exploded in the chum line were all big boys, cows, vacas, the ones we were hoping for, and when they came charging to the stern of Royal Star, they were ready for business in biting mode. We were ready also preparing for this moment in advance upgrading our tackle and priming our psyche for just such an encounter but despite this fact and our best efforts the trophy yellowfin were the uncontested victors in this skirmish. Not to say we didn?t get in a few licks because we did including a 238, 188, 172, 164, and 155 but another four cows were lost to the traditional odds (hook pulls and chew offs) and one sickening heartbreaker at about 280 according to Captain Toussaint, was lost to a freak incident in the skiff that occurred AFTER the fish was gaffed.

I must comment on the fact that angler Charlie Mc Gee, who waged an incredibly valiant battle executing a perfect demonstration in technique and tenacity, was all man after what was probably the most shocking moment of his fishing career. Nobody of course was more sickened than Captain Toussaint himself who holds steadfast to his opinion that although the fish did not make it aboard it should be counted as a catch as it was on the gaff. I tend to agree but I?ll let all of you decide. Either way Charlie is the uncontested angler of the year as his attitude did not suffer in the slightest following such a difficult turn of luck. Needless to say events such as this do not happen often and I can only say that if it wasn?t Randy himself in the skiff I probably would have been much harsher in my assessment. Bottom line is that it was a freak incident that occurred with a very experienced man at the helm. Charlie; thanks for your inspiring disposition and I promise that you will be awarded your catch of a lifetime in the future for such an extreme sacrifice.

In addition to the bigger models landed from our morning ripper another five from eighty to one hundred thirty were thrown in the mix for good measure. From the get go the action was hot and heavy with as many as ten fish hooked at once and the boys hopping to keep the lines clear and anglers out of harm?s way. I know I have commented many times over the past six weeks on what an incredible show these fish put on down here when charging the boat but I have to mention it again as such an aggressive display from big fish, trophies, fish in the two hundred pound class and up, is so far from the norm in our regular fishing arena. The sight of two hundred pound class fish making boils eight to ten feet across while charging and ultimately arriving within yards of the stern intent only on devouring more bait is so outrageous that it literally leaves one speechless in the face of such an awesome display. This is something that I have dreamt of seeing and now have in vivid color and astonishing detail on three of our four last voyages. It is especially nice when those monsters are tearing around the corner gluttonously grazing on our chum baits to have the ammo to pour over the side keeping the fish thoroughly captivated and most importantly, vulnerable, to our fly lining anglers.

Ah another morning in Panama and as this area is traditionally a morning show the fish separated from their buddies in the late a.m. and our first stop proved to be the best with the next several following our big hit producing only a few half hearted boils and a handful of tagged smaller fish. Taking the cue after lunch, we took a break on the island amidst the awe inspiring scenery and tropical paradise of Isla Montousa enjoying a relaxing afternoon swimming, shore fishing, and exploring before heading back out a quick fifteen minutes to the grounds for a look around in the late afternoon. Nothing developed in the hot morning area late and as such we ended our day on the famed Hannibal Bank enjoying a nice hit on snappers before calling it a day well after dark. Tomorrow will of course begin in the same area hoping for a repeat of events today less of course the one disappointment.