What a reunion as anglers arrived, sincere greetings were exchanged, and festivities marking the official commencement of this first of three final Revillagigedo tagging voyages began. A good time was had by all as the biblically referenced twin cities faded astern and the sun dipped below a continuing amenable horizon. This notoriously temperamental stretch of ocean just below the Cape has the tendency to sap the fun out of even the best intending revelers. Not this time though as flat calm sea conditions welcomed this group with open arms and benediction of things good to come.

One more half day of travel and the fishing finally commences as we arrive at our first destination of Isla San Benedicto mid day tomorrow - the beauty of the fly down option that cuts travel time to this magical island to less than twenty four hours. It is with great anticipation we traverse the final leg for many reasons. One in particular is the group of anglers who joined us last year from Thailand have returned with a whole new arsenal of equipment to pit against the undisputed toughest yellowfin tuna known to man. When I looked at the gear last February I shook my head and somewhat looked forward to the detonation, even while dodging the shrapnel, as these big yellowfin were certain to make mincemeat of such toys. Boy was I mistaken; and enlightened.

Between the big Shimano "Stella" spinning reels, the rods to go along with them, the poppers and butterfly jigs, and wealth of other smaller conventional equipment I had never seen, all of it far exceeded my expectations. Aside from a few busted rods thanks to the inhuman strength of resident gorilla/crewmember Blake Wasano all the gear held up in the most extreme conditions. Admittedly though, the real giants, or 200 to 300 pound yellowfin during that time frame, were touring off in the deeps somewhere other than around the islands. What I really want, what I really hope to see is how this gear performs when challenged by the real deal. As I have mentioned many times before the difference between a 175 pound yellowfin tuna and a 275 pound yellowfin tuna can not be overstated. It's like the difference between a horrifically irritated charging bull rhinoceros out for blood in a wager for it's life and a placid armadillo ambling along the southwestern desert floor. Needless to say I can't wait to see how the difference shakes out when and if the awaited confrontation occurs.

And of course the daily narrative will feature the results when it does. Those and others as we have eight full days of fishing time to look forward to within the magnificent Revillagigedo island reserve. Here we go.


Tim Ekstrom