It wasn't meant to be. We picked, and we scratched, and we scoured, and we looked but the battle we have been waging against consistently deteriorating conditions was finally conceded. Day one was very good; water conditions and current aligned with plentiful amounts of good size yellowfin acting right. Day two ushered in a significant drop in water temperature and marked change in current that could only leave a fisherman guessing as to where one should be. Though we did continue the catching trend on day two and three, the amount of fish landed, and the overall signs of bigger fish diminished. Today the water was even colder, unseasonably so in my experience, and signs even more bleak.

We did start off with a decent morning shot, rousting anglers with that sweet adrenaline reveille coveted by the fortunate's enchanted with this fishery. But, it was a short lived feint that petered out after six or eight fish. Thus began the process of elimination in a series of moves that checked zones off the list one by one. Of significance was the fact that just about everywhere produced one, two, four, or six fish, but nowhere featured that melody speaking to my sixth sense. In fact, everywhere we tried spoke the opposite.

Going back to that trusty fisherman's excuse list I referenced yesterday I would offer cold water as a reason for the lack of consistency presently plaguing the island. Barely seventy two degrees, down from a day one high of seventy four, is the condition associated with just about every down cycle around here since December last season. The better water, at a toasty seventy five, was encountered a mere ten miles from the island as we made tracks for the inside in search of a grand finale.

You watch, in the snap of two fingers that current will change, the warmer water will move back in to the island, and it will be game on. It will happen just like that. Absolutely guaranteed, without a doubt, that big fish, and plentiful mid rangers, are thick around Clarion. It is simply a matter of conditions coming together to initiate another epic round. One thing certain, I hope to be there when it happens; this place is getting more and more ripe for a blowout hit on cows.

Regardless of our ride on the downhill slide outside, we depart with clear conscience and pleasant memories of the one hundred fifty some odd yellowfin in the 75 - 190 pound class left adorned in the latest fashion in conventional and archival tags. By all accounts it was a successful run that was well worth the effort. The fishing was good, the island and surrounding scenery magic, and the weather and sea state welcoming and kind. We had a good shot at it, all catching some good fish and having a great time. But she did her job well this round yielding just enough to please while leaving us wanting; leaving us in that still slightly agitated state of yearning that keeps us coming back for more. The tease, the allure of reaching that epic apex when all conditions align is quite the driver. I've said before it's at least the second best thing in life; sometimes the first - for a fisherman.

A couple of photos today featuring another extraordinary angler supporting the Revillagigedo tagging project on voyages in 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2011. Don Franks is a fisherman to the core enjoying these voyages, and the opportunity to wallow in the Eden of yellowfin tuna fishing, as a gift from beyond. With a cheerful demeanor buoyed by the overwhelming good this project represents, Don has added a boatload of positive energy to the effort by providing plentiful specimens for release, relaxing in the off times, and focusing on having fun; he get's it.

Tim Ekstrom

Photo Here...

Photo Here...