A nice day of travel in continuing flat calm - grease; every mechanically propelled mariner's dream. Except for a gentle sway or roll the boat hardly even moved; lake Pacific continues to exercise her guile; the payback promises to expose some real passion, or fury. For now though we will continue to believe the facade. It is so easy to succumb to the beneficent, mesmerizing grace. We'll take it, bank it, and be grateful for it. A little bit of charm goes a long way; a lot goes even further.

Catching highlights were small, red, and prickly, but large in flavor. We took a couple of hours in delightful, stress free fishing scoring on a few good drops and missing on a few others. And in reverence to the towering reputation of our beloved, aforementioned Chef's, enough of the tasty red devils were fielded to continue the final day, fresh catch, Royal Star tradition. Boy was it good. Actually it was beyond good; far beyond my culinary literacy.

As a final bookend the show of cetaceans in the late afternoon was incredible at worst, spectacular at best. Between numerous Humpback whales cavorting, breeching, fluking, and feeding, all amongst dozens of majestic Blue and Fin whales, we could not help but divert from our heading in several instances to provide our anglers an up close and personal, ring side view. Amazing; this is an amazing world. We are glad for the opportunity to forge our miniscule role.

In closing gratitude is extended to our long time friends Larry Fancher and Fred Fukanaga both of whom have consistently assembled exemplary groups of anglers we are blessed to share time at sea with for nearly twenty years. Men like these are the core of long range fishing attracted year after year by the un paralleled adventure and experiences these voyages offer. As our business and families mature we hope for the opportunity to fish with both Larry and Fred for many years to come. I know I'll be here.

Photo of the day features more of our long time friends Ann and Don Van Dyke with a wahoo Ann snagged earlier in the trip. As most of you know Ann occasionally carries the load in the office for Tracy extending her warm character and love for fishing at every turn. As always we had a great time with this fantastic couple who, in addition to having a great time, consistently manage to get their share. By this time I'm figuring it can't all be luck.

Tim Ekstrom

Photo Here...