Fish Report for 12-16-2010
Royal Star Fish Report
12-16-2010
Royal Star
It was one of those classic endings that followed the theme of this voyage to the letter. Another good morning hit had us earning our keep as the traditional mixed bag of 100 - 210 pound yellowfin, and everything in between, showed tremendous enthusiasm for a journey to San Diego on board Royal Star. Naturally we were more than happy to accommodate them. Then we reached that tipping point rapidly becoming less certain of our ability to accommodate the demand by space limitations in the tanks. As we slipped, shimmied, slid, and shoved perfectly dressed and cleaned to perfection tuna into their final positions the call was made to end it on a high note. Of course the fish, as so often occurs in these scenarios, began biting even better after the call was made.
Being plenty familiar with this program we did the easiest most rational thing that in reality is the most difficult act a fisherman must occasionally come to terms with - we stopped fishing. As in "lines out of the water boys, we're done." Leaving them biting can simultaneously be the most gratifying and painful decision a fishermen has to make knowing full well that there will be a thousand times or more down the road when he/she will dream for an opportunity to catch anything. Driving away from fish that want to bite is simply counter to our instinct. However it is far from counter to intuition. I have to admit that there isn't much big thinking in the act of departing because the tanks are full of fish. Though I suppose that is a notion relative to capacity for thought. The things that I have seen.
The final round was landed, the boys prepared for the challenge of creating space for them, and were rewarded with a pleasant surprise courtesy of a little strategic planning earlier in the trip. Suffice to say we hoarded a little room in one tank just in case. In they went, and off we went into the sunset following a scenic farewell revolution for old times sake.
Today's photo was almost an epic shot. As is it still strikes a chord of interest, perhaps even a little awe, as one is almost there with angler John Santaella while he pulls on his 210 pound yellowfin in the final circle. Seconds after snapping this off the cuff image I switched hats and stuck a gaff into the defeated beast camera dangling from one arm. Exhilarating.
Tim Ekstrom
Photo Here...
Being plenty familiar with this program we did the easiest most rational thing that in reality is the most difficult act a fisherman must occasionally come to terms with - we stopped fishing. As in "lines out of the water boys, we're done." Leaving them biting can simultaneously be the most gratifying and painful decision a fishermen has to make knowing full well that there will be a thousand times or more down the road when he/she will dream for an opportunity to catch anything. Driving away from fish that want to bite is simply counter to our instinct. However it is far from counter to intuition. I have to admit that there isn't much big thinking in the act of departing because the tanks are full of fish. Though I suppose that is a notion relative to capacity for thought. The things that I have seen.
The final round was landed, the boys prepared for the challenge of creating space for them, and were rewarded with a pleasant surprise courtesy of a little strategic planning earlier in the trip. Suffice to say we hoarded a little room in one tank just in case. In they went, and off we went into the sunset following a scenic farewell revolution for old times sake.
Today's photo was almost an epic shot. As is it still strikes a chord of interest, perhaps even a little awe, as one is almost there with angler John Santaella while he pulls on his 210 pound yellowfin in the final circle. Seconds after snapping this off the cuff image I switched hats and stuck a gaff into the defeated beast camera dangling from one arm. Exhilarating.
Tim Ekstrom
Photo Here...
