03/02/12

Well any deficiencies in the fishing during the past two days were more than
made up for today. What incredible fishing! What incredible visuals! What a
living color example of the amazing potential this one of a kind destination
represents. This was the day I have been waiting for. All of my B.S. stories
about Clipperton's big schools, breaking fish, and swarms of boobie birds beyond
comprehension were proven true today.

A fortunate break in the weather seemed to usher in a maelstrom of life as 70 -
170 pound tuna, with a few bigger bruisers up to 220, stormed the shallow areas
surrounding the island. Whether coincidence or by grand design numerous logs
carrying tremendous amounts of bait set off a chain reaction best described as
seismic. At one point the whole end of the island detonated in a gigantic spot
of madly exploding tuna, sharks, and dolphins as fleeing bait fish spread out
in a hopeless dash for salvation only to be consumed by superior foe.

Needless to say the fishing, the catching actually, was superb; it was the kind
of action that is indescribable to one bereft of such experience; the kind of
action that when described to fellow anglers is received with encouragement, but
believed with a hearty measure of skepticism. Because it is simple right? There
is no way that it can really be that good.

Us fishermen are born to embellish and glorify; take whatever we relate
normally, cut it in half, then maybe one will arrive at the real description.
All this usually applies to some degree - unless the story comes from
Clipperton. There is no need to embellish the setting here. In fact, it is
actually quite the opposite. There are many times when the action is so
unbelievable that I actually have to tone down the description in order to make
it believable. This place has it's own set of standards. That is fact.

And to sweeten the occasion to an altitude of pure heaven, in addition to
spending the entire day pulling on seemingly endless big Clipperton yellowfin,
one of the logs that drifted in holding a huge ball of perfect "Cocineros and
Caballitos, provided the opportunity to replenish our tanks with loads, numerous
big brailers, of perfect hook and chum baits. While we were still okay on bait,
with plenty to make the remainder of the fishing time with confidence, there is
nothing like loading the tanks with a huge bonus. Now we have a surplus. Who
would have thought? But again, it is Clipperton - expect the unexpected.

Photos for the day feature a quick shot I snapped from the bridge as we
approached one of the logs a long while after the big bonanza had taken place.
Even though the majority of the boobies sat down there was still enough bait to
keep the tuna fired up and foaming. Photo number two features a group shot on
the bow just after we stopped on this log. Hot and heavy was the theme as Don
Franks, Ulysses Quijada, Corbett Wright, Aoh, Captain Brain Sims, and several
others not pictured combined in this quentessential Clipperton moment. All's
well to the far south; All's well.

Tim Ekstrom


Photo Here...

Photo Here...