And following a morning tending to administrative tasks along with Tracy in the Royal Star office, I had some good conversations with anglers on upcoming voyages regarding the latest requirement that anglers carry Passports to visit Isla Guadalupe. Foremost is the positive recognition that Mexico is not requesting anything unreasonable. To visit any other foreign country a Passport is necessary. While we have enjoyed the privilege of avoiding such necessity on the majority of past long range voyages, we have simply been required to fall in line with standard protocol for international travel; it is not the end of the world; it is a matter of us adapting to the ever shifting landscape of international relations and diplomacy.

I can say with certainty that I would much rather engage in a few hours of making international clearances and gain access to the incredible fishing potential at Guadalupe than to sacrifice the opportunity clinging stubbornly to the past; that strategy has been exhausted. In order to advance our ability to continue fishing in Mexico it serves us all well to recognize and understand the stakes. We are guests, requesting the privilege to fish in the richest coastal and offshore fisheries on the planet; no kidding. Ask anyone who fishes in various international destinations after a making successful long range voyage if there is even anything to compare. A resounding answer of there being nothing even remotely close will follow. Between the quality of individual fish available, the variety, the volume, and the consistency of incredible productivity, there is nothing to approach the multitude of amazing features this fishery offers. Combined with incredibly generous take limits there is no way this almost too good to be true opportunity can be perceived otherwise.

With this in mind I sincerely do hope that all anglers will recognize the overwhelming positives, ignore the very few inconveniences, and do their best to support this fishery by continuing to venture long range voyages; and by introducing this incredible experience to fishing family and friends. And of course by jumping on the band wagon and retaining a Passport post haste. There is no sense in holding out any longer - the inevitable has finally overtaken us.

To answer a couple more general inquires received during the past few days I do feel that anglers on upcoming voyages through at least the end of June will not need Passports. That should give everyone on voyages July and beyond sufficient time to expedite the process that can be accelerated to only a few days by paying a reasonable fee. If you are on one the upcoming eight or seven day voyages in early June do not be concerned if you don't have a Passport. We have no expectation of heading to Guadalupe in June 2011 without ample prior notice.

On the fishing front back to photos from the previous voyage featuring German angler Ulf Kreutzfeldt who made the journey to the Revillagigedos all the way from Singapore where his occupation takes him. This was Ulf's first ever tuna fishing venture and needless to say he came away with a completely altered perspective of what tuna fishing entails. Ulf shot some fantastic video one evening in the heat of a ripper stop on fifty to one hundred twenty pound tuna that had the boys and yours truly hopping for real. We can't wait to review what promises to be fishing footage like nothing any conventional long range angler has ever seen, do some editing, and post a few short clips on our Facebook page. Meanwhile Ulf is the featured angler of the day with a ninety pounder landed on our second morning on the outside at Isla Clarion. Look for tomorrow's comments and photos to continue.

Tim Ekstrom

Photo Here...

Photo Here...