A quick departure from the fishing photos as I wanted to update all on the progress of our complete re-power of Royal Star. I'll let the photos tell the story but I will offer a couple of comments. First, as you all can determine from the photos, we waste no time in getting down to business when it comes to a project of this magnitude. Actually, were it not for a few minor logistical hold ups, we would have had the engines out yesterday afternoon. Mid day today sufficed however and now we get down to the task of cleaning and preparing for the new motors. Second, these photos do a fine job of demonstrating that Randy, Brian, and I are hands-on in every aspect of our vessel. If you were ever of the impression that we are the types that sit back and count the profits while others do the dirty work nothing could be further from the truth. Not only do we get dirty, we enjoy being involved in the mechanical and cosmetic maintenance of our vessel. Literally every functioning system on Royal Star has our signature on it after owning her now for nearly fourteen years. It is our pleasure and definitely serves us well when we are far out to sea where service calls are not an option. Tomorrow fishing photos will continue along with mechanical updates throughout the month.

Finally, Capt. Brian Sims will be representing Royal Star at the Fred Hall show in Long Beach tomorrow, Thursday, and Friday while Randy and I continue to hammer away at this project. I will be up on Friday and Randy and I will be there for the weekend. We look forward to the show and the opportunity to see all of you, share a few stories, and extend our gratitude while we are there.

Tim Ekstrom

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Another Doug that deserves high commendation is my good friend from Canada Doug Hall. Doug's contagious enthusiasm for every topic we discuss is something I look forward to sharing every time we have the opportunity to fish together. I must admit that Doug's passion for farming (his profession), astronomy, and conversation has provided many anglers and I the opportunity to learn much that we otherwise would not know. Doug's kind disposition is always a pleasure and unmistakable to all who have fished in his company. In addition, his passion for fishing is obvious as he is one of those anglers who always put in his time at the rail though he is quite adept at mixing in plenty of appropriate relaxation when called for.

In one of today's sequences I included a photo that unfortunately includes a hand in the foreground that would typically have relegated the shot to the realm of deleted files. I saved and am posting the shot however as I could write a million words and fail to come close to the story told in Doug's expression. This shot simultaneously tells the story of Doug as an individual and the exuberance all anglers experience when releasing one of these tagged yellowfin tuna.

Our sincerest thanks go out to Doug for the many years of fishing we have enjoyed together and we look forward to your company on Royal Star in the future.

Tim Ekstrom

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Another Doug that deserves high commendation is my good friend from Canada Doug Hall. Doug's contagious enthusiasm for every topic we discuss is something I look forward to sharing every time we have the opportunity to fish together. I must admit that Doug's passion for farming (his profession), astronomy, and conversation has provided many anglers and I the opportunity to learn much that we otherwise would not know. Doug's kind disposition is always a pleasure and unmistakable to all who have fished in his company. In addition, his passion for fishing is obvious as he is one of those anglers who always put in his time at the rail though he is quite adept at mixing in plenty of appropriate relaxation when called for.

In one of today's sequences I included a photo that unfortunately includes a hand in the foreground that would typically have relegated the shot to the realm of deleted files. I saved and am posting the shot however as I could write a million words and fail to come close to the story told in Doug's expression. This shot simultaneously tells the story of Doug as an individual and the exuberance all anglers experience when releasing one of these tagged yellowfin tuna.

Our sincerest thanks go out to Doug for the many years of fishing we have enjoyed together and we look forward to your company on Royal Star in the future.

Tim Ekstrom