What an ending to an already fantastic fishing voyage. It was a classic scene early as our anglers, who were obviously affected by the demands of yesterday's action, were thrust into the fire again right from the gate. As we picked our way up the island in the dawn hour I barely saw a few tuna jumping at about one half mile in the dusky light. Heading up to the approximate location, we located the school and began a drift featuring non stop action on 120 - 150# yellowfin lasting over three hours. This was just the beginning.

I have to report that the same anglers who demonstrated such vigor and stamina yesterday were not quite so perky to begin with today. Of course once everyone's muscles were stretched, and the blood got flowing, we got down to business. But the scene early was none too pretty as anglers dropped in their first baits, got hammered almost immediately by fired up mid range yellowfin that were wholly unsympathetic to the aches and pains administered by their brethren the prior day, and dragged the first round of anglers around the boat struggling to get their feet under them and establish a rhythm. I have to admit that these kind of scenes elicit pure joy in my demeanor. There is nothing quite like seeing anglers straggle to the rail on straight autopilot after seven full days of fishing, hook a fish, and wear a look on their face confused somewhere between yes, this is the greatest thing in the world, and oh no, not again. Of course I am out there instigating the whole thing encouraging everyone to get to the rail and join the action before it is too late and the fish move on. I love my job.

As I mentioned once the initial shock of the hardcore action wore off, all these anglers got in the groove and production followed as the beautiful mid grader's came on board in a steady stream. About 0900 the action petered out and anglers had a merciful hour and a half break before we got on another school and just about ended the voyage drifting and catching the same 120's - 150's through the late afternoon. A three hour morning drift, and a five and a half hour mid day through afternoon drift added up to another seventy five yellowfin tagged and released for the day. With only a little time remaining after our long afternoon, we finished the voyage with one last attempt that produced the last tagged yellowfin of the voyage honors for Doug Taylor. When I made the announcement calling it a voyage a jubilant chorus erupted on deck as our completely sated, thoroughly exhausted anglers celebrated our success, and, I suspect, the fact that they no longer faced the fisherman's instinctual obligation to catch as long as the fish are biting. Pure bliss is how I would describe the setting. Reveling in the overall success of the voyage, we headed up the line in fine weather highly anticipating the next day of relaxation in good company as we share stories and memories of the past week inside the amazing Revillagigedo Marine Biosphere. I will be at the helm as Royal Star travels up the line sending plenty more thoughts in the daily updates.

Photos of the day feature a trio of Steve Branscombe, Joe Vandervoort, and Doug Taylor pulling to their hearts content amidst some hot and heavy action. Also, Royal Star veteran Matt Walenta, all the way from Brooklyn, New York shows how it's done with Clarion's beautiful southwest side providing a spectacular background.

Tim

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