A happy ending in every respect. Similar fishing to the previous day but a little steadier for a nice grand finale. Same grade of fish - 20 to 30 pounds with a handful of 60 - 70 pound standouts. Every one that came over the rail was appreciated. By the end of it, we were good on fish; plenty in the hatch to satisfy the quantity expectation. The flat calm stretch continued though it appears that the honeymoon may come to an end in the morning tomorrow. No big blow, or threatening conditions, but a big change from what we have become accustomed to over the past five days. Fifteen knots of breeze will add up to nothing more than a little bumpin' and jumpin'. Compared to the present lake calm however there will be quite a contrast.

No surprises though as we have a sea worthy group of anglers on board well prepared to contend with whatever Mother Nature offers. Regarding this group of anglers I want to mention that they were real troopers maturely accepting and making the best of tough times in the beginning. By day three a few brave souls ventured inquiries as to our plan B, and the timing of it's execution. I understood, and politely explained the strategy again. It is natural and expected that everyone has a breaking point. Forthright communication and unequivocal leadership is paramount when the fishing falls off. Fortunately the vast majority of anglers see the situation for what it is and make the most of it. What else is there to do when fishing slows down; or stops as in the case of the first few days this trip?

What not to do is pout, feel sorry for one's self, feel that the world has turned against you, or succumb to the worst temptation of them all - become your own Captain trying to pilot the vessel from downstairs. That is a losing proposition; a zero sum game that disrupts morale and serves to make an already difficult situation that much worse. The majority of the guys driving these vessel's boast year's of experience plying these waters making consistent catches of fish. They are professionals who have accumulated thousands of days on the ocean as fishermen. If the fish are there to be caught, odds are ninety nine out of a hundred that your voyage will be on them.

While we had no examples of the above mentioned negatives on this voyage, I always consider, and watch for signs closely, during these inevitable occasions when the fishing goes south. Again this group was extraordinary keeping spirits elevated and light with laughter and a keen understanding of the fact that fishing is fishing. There might have been one or two on the brink by day three of catching almost nothing, but the anglers themselves reeled in even the slightest dissent through their confidence in our professional ability; among the many reasons why I feel such strong kinship with our Royal Star anglers. They have my back. And I have their's.

Back to the best part however. We ended on a high note. Strategically, not by accident, the voyage ended as a success. A relative success mind you, but success is success. We absolutely made the most of the opportunities presented to us during this ten day period in the upper zone. Our visions of glory were definitely adjusted. But once we accepted the reality that big fish were not to be part of the equation during this trip, after every possible moment we had to dedicate to the giant yellowfin pursuit was exhausted, we shifted gears and set about the business of making our catch elsewhere. That was plan B all along. Thank goodness it worked. The buck stops here.

Tim Ekstrom