Nothing wondrous about the fishing results today. In fact, combined with sloppy, undesirable weather conditions one would be hard pressed to extract a positive impression of Roca Partida. We tagged a few fish, and endured the trying conditions, but the catching was horribly overshadowed by the previous four days. The fish watching was grand however; yes, fish watching.

Shoals of micro to small yellowfin tuna, undeterred by the sloppy sea state, performed their version of the popular "Wave" that we are all familiar with from stadium sporting events. In the fish variation, that typically begins at the end of the swiftly moving school, each fish turns on its side while running down swell reflecting the sunlight in succession as bluish, silver flashes ripple through the masses like a shockwave. At times even the whole school synchronizes illuminating an entire section of ocean in a brilliant flash of blue to greenish iridescence.

More often than not these amazing displays are reserved for those of us who spend countless days observing the ocean surface for signs of life and fish. Subtlety is more commonly the theme as the wary ocean tends to holds her cards close. But there are those occasions when her startling treasures are revealed. How they are received I suppose is the measure of their value to an individual. I certainly convey my enthusiasm when such occasions arise, but I often find that I am the one most energized by the vision.

Today I had at least a couple of fellow admirers however as Bruce Posthumus and Doug Taylor joined me on the top deck in awe of the spectacle of so much visible fish. At one point we motored along for about a half mile with an entire school happy as clams running, shining, and breezing high and dry right along side. The whole time a handful of anglers was busy catching the eager little devils for the tagging effort. It won't make the front page, or compare to targeting big cows, but fishing for the fun of it is still fun - to a fisherman.

It didn't take long however for the thrill to subside and the Clarion bell to beckon us west. Taking our medicine in the form of a sloppy ride, the prospect of what may lie ahead in the way of both fishing and sanctuary was incentive divine. Tomorrow we will be back at it harboring high hopes of finishing out the voyage at my beloved Clarion. Photo today features "O" with a dandy 190 pound yellowfin he subdued in short order a few days ago near Socorro. On this topic I have a whole round of tales to relate that I am saving for later. Suffice to say these anglers from Thailand are still proving some pretty unbelievable ideas, and having the time of their lives in the process; consummate fishermen; every one of them.

Tim Ekstrom


Photo Here...