Dr. Dave Hall, better known as simply "Dr. Dave", is an angler of merit beyond exception. Genuine, friendly, sincere, he is a veteran of veteran's on Royal Star who treats everyone on the voyages he graces with warmth and respect. Since 1998 Dr. Dave and I have accumulated quite a history of days spent at sea together. In all that time, that must total at least two hundred days or more, I have yet to hear a negative expression, suggestion, or comment from Dr. Dave about any individual, or any situation we are working in.

Taking a positive, glass half full approach to every situation imaginable to me appears to be Dr. Dave's secret to amazingly consistent results. Of course there have been a few salty days I recall he endured, but even those are recalled with an air of humor; because that is exactly how Dave presented them.

When Dr. Dave first began fishing with us I couldn't help but notice the consistency of his production. The Canadian was matching any and every veteran long ranger fish for fish almost immediately following his first day or two of fishing at Clarion. I remember remarking to Randy on that particular voyage when we were both present that Dr. Dave had something going on uncommon. Randy's immediate response was that he noticed the same thing, and was waiting to see if it was only him in that line of thinking.

From there our relationship with Dave grew into far more than just fishing a few times a year. We are very fortunate to consider him a solid friend; and I am certain that number of Royal Star anglers feel the same.

Referencing Dr. Dave's amazing fishing results I have to comment that simplicity is also his key to success in rigging, equipment, and approach. The old school adage of putting time in at the rail also applies; especially in those early morning times when one's results are far from lucky. But, once again I assign a large portion of such masterful results to the category of confidence. Confidence in one's own ability, equipment, and mindset is capable of producing staggering consistency; "When you know you are going to get bit even before you make a cast you are in the zone" - an old quote from one of my best friends Captain Brian Kiyohara that sums it up to perfection.

Dr. Dave is the living example of this belief; no way could I think of a better individual for any of our Royal Star anglers to share a voyage with. Between Dave's incredible support for the Revillagigedo tagging project, and his unyielding penchant for targeting giant yellowfin tuna ("he always gets his man" - or fish in this case), perhaps you will be among those of us fortunate enough to fish with Dave too. I sincerely hope so as you will likely be a better fisherman for it.

Tim Ekstrom