05/16/12

While searching through my archive of photos to satisfy another project I could not resist sharing some of these dandies from among the original Revilla Tagging voyages back in 2006 and 2007. It's a blast from the past but why not? Nice scenery and a unique perspective make these images worthy of sharing - if one appreciates Royal Star and fishing. Tracy soon resumes command of her office as Brian, Randy, and I nit pick and fuss with the boat waiting impatiently for the season to come; now only seven more days and counting. It is time.

Tim

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5/14/12

The final photos from our tremendously successful April 2012 fly down/fly back feature Chris Pauly in fine form, and an image shared with us by master veteran Doug Taylor, who barely captured a flying Wahoo at the perfect moment. As for the future of the April fly down voyage I again want to mention that the 2013 run is already pushing capacity but does have at least a couple of spots open as of Friday. Today, or at least this week, would be the perfect time to call if this time frame and voyage format fits your schedule. Reference the "printable schedule" section of our website to see the exact dates that have changed slightly from the printed 2011-2012 brochure. Captain Brian Sims is still manning the office ready and waiting to answer any calls. Have a great week!

Tim

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5/12/12

Some nice shots today of Kevin Leong subduing a giant in easy form on the bow, Kevin and Robert "Hot Bobby" Hirsch with a pair of fat deuces on our first big day during the most recent voyage, and finally a nice example of the angler's eye view at the moment prior to their trophy yellowfin being gaffed. Otherwise a reminder that I will join hosts Pete Gray and Rick Maxa on Let's Talk Hookup tomorrow as the featured guest. To say that I am looking forward to the opportunity is an understatement; I am always honored and incredibly enthusiastic in my support of Pete, Ricky, and our community. Tune in tomorrow and certainly give us a call if you have a question to advance the dialouge. Have a fine weekend!

Tim Ekstrom

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5/11/12

Well today's selections are either going to take us down a notch in viewers opinion, or raise us into a new category of humor. I'll let the photos speak for themselves along with the quote we received from Dr. Stuart Exall when he shared these "priceless" selections: " Hey again Tim- The next two are great shots, but made much better by the background. Check out Blaine's face closely. These are priceless. The fish in the pic with the 'Full Moon' was the 246.2, the one with Blaine in the background was the notorious 'jerky fish' at about 180#."

Apparently Stuart has such a warm disposition, and a penchant for commerating nearly every fish he lands on camera, that others can not resist the temptation to share in his glory. Today's shots are a couple of out takes that didn't make the main showing. Enjoy, and put your dark glasses on to prepare for the blinding glare in the first image. There's a lot more I could say but why? I hope your laughing after viewing these classics. We still are. Back to the serious side again tomorrow - a little of this stuff goes a long way!

Tim

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5/10/12

A few more victorious moments as anglers Bob “Turbo” Ryan and Dave Sazegar rejoice with their trophies all but in the bag, and Kevin Leong and Billy Messler in a classic sunrise at the rail, pulling on big tuna, long range moment. Capt. Brian Sims and I continue to man the office phones as time toward the beginning of our new season slowly ticks by. Honestly, we’d rather be fishing; in the meantime we’re counting on any and all readers’ calls to, at the very least, talk fishing. In all our cases, when land locked, it’s the next best thing. Enjoy your day!

Tim Ekstrom

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5/9/12

A few great calls in the office today as anglers are priming up for the 2012 summer season awaiting news from the offshore grounds. While it is still way too early to tell, I’ll at least pitch the conditions again. Good water, plentiful life, signs of bluefin spread across a broad area – all these are positive indications of a summer tuna season developing. Also, conditions around Alijos rocks are very good with water temperatures already favoring early summer tuna.

One can be certain that this topic and many others will be discussed between Pete Gray, Rick Maxa, yours truly, and callers when I join the Mother’s Day (Sunday, May 13th) show from 7:00 to 9:00 a.m. as the featured guest. By a wide margin I consider “Let’s Talk Hookup” the finest broadcast representing our fishery with Pete and Ricky at the top of my list in the categories of both fishing and character. A little over a week ago I shared some ideas about “fishing with fishermen”. In every respect Pete and Ricky qualify as “Fishermen” driven by a passion far beyond superficial. I look forward to the Sunday show.

Photos today feature one repeat of Garry ‘Big Fish’ Sato pulling on a jumbo on the bow that I couldn’t resist at full resolution, and a great fishing moment captured as Chris Pauly rejoices with crew and friends Dave Sazegar and Bob Ryan when his third deuce of the day came over the rail.

Tim Ekstrom

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5/7/12

A few nice shots today first featuring Garry "Big Fish" Sato shortly following this "icebreaker", first deuce (230) of the trip. Photos two and three feature previously mentioned master angler Jack West reefing on a big one for real on the bow, then posing with his prize. Capt. Brian "Gerbie" Sims will be back in the office today manning the phones and administrative duties for the remainder of the week. If you have questions regarding any upcoming voyages, or fishing in general, please take us up on the offer to call and "talk shop". For those of you who know Capt. Sims you are well aware that there is nothing he likes to do more than B.S. about fishing. Enjoy the day!

Tim

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5/6/12

We made a few schedule changes worthy of mention next year adapting our Winter/Spring itinerary to accommodate new requested dates. More than anything we simply shifted the April fly down/fly back a few days forward and changed the May fly down that bombed out this year into a 12/15 chartered by long range veteran Chris Yamada. Also, the February 14 day will now accommodate the famed “Las Rocas” Group, and will also follow the 12/15 format with a drop off in Cabo San Lucas to save anglers the time and rigor of a three or four day ride up the line. Finally, the April fly down voyage will proudly carry the sponsorship of “Let’s Talk Hookup” with confirmed rumors of Pete Gray himself joining us on the run.

Photos for the day feature perhaps the finest all around giant yellowfin tuna fisherman I know. With history, experience, and ability in his favor Stas Vellonakis projects the earned confidence of consistent results. And with all the experience Stas boasts, he wastes no time boasting - his love affair is with fishing, not himself. I am greatly entertained by this dynamic as I have observed the rise and fall, the peaks and valleys, of various long range legends by their own claims. Stas was there in the beginning, the middle, and obviously still is, doing what he does with poise and precision - catching giant yellowfin using live bait with an ease that reveals a union of experience and genuine savvy. Respect best sums up my sentiment toward Stas – of the highest order.

Tim Ekstrom

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5/4/12

Capt. Brian Sims and I have been holding down the fort in the Royal Star office during the past couple of days. With the exception of one or two days next week we will both be available to “talk shop” and/or provide advice and opinion for any potential anglers considering a long range voyage.

After going through our books to determine availability, there are several opportunities for individuals and groups to jump on a Royal Star voyage in June, August, and November. While I suppose that many anglers are waiting to determine the status of fishing before committing to the June time frame, I want to offer my encouragement for this time of the year.

Every year is different with one season traditionally having no bearing on the next. Countless times I have seen angler confidence in a certain voyage or time of year fail due to slow fishing only to be refuted by outrageous fishing the following year. The best strategy by far is to book the voyage that best fits your schedule in advance, then let the chips fall as they may.

One can tailor the species list by season; that is about the only control over the voyage outcome anglers can exercise, but the catching itself is dictated by the Laws of Nature. That of course is the essence of fishing itself; and will never be triangulated upon or perfectly predicted. If you are considering an upcoming voyage I urge you to give Capt. Sims or yours truly a call in the Royal Star office next week. At the very least we can B.S. a little and perhaps provide some solid direction toward your decision.

Photos for the day feature first time long trip angler Bryan Sherman who performed well beyond his own expectations on the last run. First it was one over two hundred, then it was two, then it was three, then it was four! What a first trip down below! What a personal success! Fine job to Bryan all around who demonstrated that he is no Pilgrim when it comes to fishing. Because after all fishing is fishing; no matter what the target species is.

Tim Ekstrom

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5/2/12

And after so many years, so many incredible hauls of big fish unloaded, the sight of them all at once, the sheer labor and reward, is thrilling and gratifying beyond measure. All of us, in the face of the extreme physical effort required to accomplish our goal, wore huge smiles; grins from ear to ear as energy poured forth from the endless source of winning. That sense of accomplishment, of achieving something beyond ordinary, was transmitted by one and all – even those who were not part of the voyage itself.

The winning spirit is contagious on the waterfront - just like a baseball or football game, or any competitive sporting event; when the home team wins everyone wins; in everyone is instilled a piece of the accomplishment. And as bold as the comment may be make no mistake about it, around Fisherman’s Landing anyway, we are the home team. Twenty five years of venturing forth and returning safe with magnificent catches on board account for something more than superficial; far more than the flavor of the month or year. We are glad of it; proud even. Time has not proven us wrong.

But voyages such as our latest are a win for everyone. Such incredible fishing for us merely indicates that the opportunity was, and still is, there for all vessels and anglers. The end result, in the form of premium quality RSW stored fish, is unique to Royal Star - no other vessel produces the consistent, superior level of quality as our operation, but the catching, the production, is available to one and all; or better said, available to the fishermen.

As I mentioned earlier I will continue the daily narrative over the next few weeks with plenty more information to share. Things are beginning to ramp up as the 2012 summer season dawns upon us. Photos for the day feature a fine sequence of “Turbo” Bob Ryan in action on one of his three deuces landed during the latest run. The victor and the vanquished, photos two and three feature the defeated beast just prior to being lifted on board, and hanging in the ultimate moment.

Tim Ekstrom

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