10/5/13

Our 2013 summer offshore season segues into the fall without regret. By a wide margin this has been the best overall
summer season, beginning in early June lasting all the way through the first few days in October, in many years; at least
since 2004 or 2005. Between amazingly consistent, fantastic fishing for quality bluefin and yellowfin tuna offshore, and a
harmonious tenor the best ever in my recollection, spirits are rightly soaring.

This is what we hope for, and why we endure the opposite for such seemingly extended periods of time. The good always
outweighs the difficult and definitively negates, and/or marginalizes, the inevitable mole hills that arise in less
beneficent times.

Thank God for it, and for the wisdom that comes from endurance. A mind opened by adversity traps memories clarion sharp in
recall. Such tools are mighty powerful in fishing - and life in general. So we venture forth on this eight day run pensive
about all good things intent upon maintaining the incredible roll Royal Star has been enjoying this summer season. The
right place and time have converged with such consistency for us that I have to admit more than a little trepidation about
an inevitable valley somewhere ahead; no one is immune to such corrections.

But there is no pessimism in the present outlook; no sense in manifesting the wrong kind of luck by worrying about the
chase of fate. We charge ahead in an ocean still abounding in opportunity. Foremost is a weather forecast that one can
only dream of - flat calm for at least the next three days. Beyond that fall variety prospects are consistent with this
time of year short of a more robust outlook on quality yellowfin tuna.

It is transition time though. Things have a way of changing quickly especially as more of us head south and throw our
efforts into the pool. Look for reports to continue this week as the San Diego County and North County Fire fighters again
show their hand as fishermen.

Tim Ekstrom