It was a battle on several fronts today, a battle from which we emerged with a bounty of bruises and knowledge. And that’s what it is all about isn’t it? The opportunity to learn and advance in the face of adversity is a mainstay among many in the world of fishing. It is rarely easy and often frustrating. Boy was it today. What a struggle. The local tormentors were out en fuerza reminding us of the shortcomings in our tackle and inability to prevail when they’re in the wrong mood.

Being forced out of exactly where one wants and needs to be is a crap sandwich offensive on every level, especially when the fishing is off and the right zone isn’t easy to define. But character tests are a huge component of the perpetual chess match playing out on the grand and macro scale. In the big picture this was nothing - a few knockdowns in the second or third round. On the small scale it was an affront eliciting serious rage against the machine; the machine being heartless, hungry twelve to fourteen foot thugs patrolling with commanding indifference. Another day in “The Crucible”; nothing new here.

Overall chalk it up as another win for Royal Star. They probably felt like they won too, they certainly didn’t go away hungry, but we tallied up a respectable total settling in to the flat calm anchorage at dark satisfied and ready to get our licks in again tomorrow. Photo today features Royal Star veteran Jeff Harris and his 80 pound class beauty landed in tough afternoon conditions. Job well done!