4/30/12

A comment I offered a few days prior has really been at the forefront of my thinking as we
cruise up the line. And I do mean cruise as this is one of the more pleasant passages north
in my recent memory. No bump, no jump, just sweet sliding and gliding in calm winds and a
gentle rolling swell. As such, for those with plans to meet Royal Star on Wednesday, we are
presently on schedule for a 0800 arrival at U.S. Customs, then 0900 at Fisherman's Landing
providing our Nation's finest are punctual.

"Fishing with fisherman" was the comment I made while traveling toward Cabo. In every
aspect of our operation, from the anglers who choose Royal Star, to every crewman we
employ, and certainly all three of us who divide time behind the helm, we are here of our
passion for fishing. And for us(Randy, Brian, and I)and our crew it is even more - it is a
calling satisfied, an intrinsic component of our constitution; it is our nature.

While this idea may seem a bit obvious for prolonged thought it should certainly factor
into to one's decision when considering a long range voyage. We are not the only fishermen
out here, that is fact, but we are top of our game among them, and eons beyond those who
are not. The foundation of our operation is fishing, professionally executed in a standard
competitors strive for; it starts and ends there. Everything else - customer service,
cuisine, fish handling and processing, vessel amenities and maintenance project the same
standard; we are not to be out shined in these categories either, but fishing is our
identity. We are proud of it.

Randy and I were taught this at a young age by respected veteran's from years past. But,
aside from learning the fundamentals of current, tide, wind, water and navigation
themselves, we were simply adhering to our instincts; it couldn't have been any other way.
It is what we are here to do. As compelling as this notion is to me I wonder about all of
you reading along. Drivel or depth? At the very least it could be a good story line...

Photos for the day feature another friend from days of old Bill Currie with his 228 on
deck, who I recall made his first Royal Star voyage with me as Captain back in April 1993.
It was a particularly memorable voyage as we landed 24 over the two hundred mark, the best
ever by a long shot for Royal Star at the time. It took some real doing to make such
catches back then. A few years older and a mite slower, Bill is no less passionate in his
approach to fishing. Fond memories and fishing with like minded friends keeps him coming
back; no greater testimonial can be found.

Photo number two is an action angle of Blaine DeBrouwer (sorry for the earlier mis
spelling) reefing on a big one that tragically escaped, but gave him a good run for the
effort nevertheless. I set Blaine up with one of the Shimano Talica 50's we have on board
and suffice to say he will never be the same. The winch like torque of the Talica 50,
combined with the Herculean strength of Blaine, was an almost ridiculous mis match against
even the largest of tunas. But such torque is directed by the Talica 50 whether Hercules is
on the handle or a fraction thereof; such is the beauty of this reel. In my opinion it is
on the "must have" list by far; and after this voyage, in Blaine's too.

Tim Ekstrom

Photo Here...

Photo Here...