01/31/13

Mercy. The eagerly anticipated reprieve arrived on cue transformative in every respect. The grave setting subsided
as set jaws and serious countenances were replaced with smiles around and continuous friendly banter. What a
relief. And it appears to be one that will accompany us all the way to the dock. No doubt these anglers have earned
it.

Now almost flat calm anglers can reflect and reminisce building upon the story over the next few days while the
clean up is attended to. Fine details are often resurrected as memories, time, and friendship intersect. That is
about as perfect a description of the setting on board a long ranger traveling home that I can think of. And in the
process we all become better fishermen.

Speaking of becoming a better fishermen I will offer one tip today that isn't necessarily new, or profound, but
deserves repeating. I have seen more than a few anglers painfully learn that using the "Ultra thin" or "Premier"
brands of leader material, whether fluorocarbon or mono, is not the same as using standard material in the same
line class. Giant yellowfin tuna anglers must figure the line size based on diameter rather than what is stated on
the box.

Diameter is the key; and bigger is better. We recommend that anglers using the thinner diameter lines to figure
their true line class by reducing the size stated on the package by twenty to thirty percent. One hundred thirty
pound is more like one hundred. One hundred is more like eighty. By applying this standard on upcoming voyages long
range anglers targeting giant yellowfin can spare themselves plenty of heart break.

The number of times we have consoled the defeated angler who winds up a broken leader that looks like thread rather
than the 130# they thought they were using is too many. It can be avoided. Now, today's featured angler is no
stranger to the using the right gear and achieving results. The "White Tornado", as Dr. Arthur Blumer proudly
refers to himself, is a long time Royal Star veteran who always seems to catch his share, and then some. Here is
the triumphant tornado with his fat, 208 landed using a sardine drifted back beneath a balloon on the final fishing
afternoon.

Tim Ekstrom


Photo Here...