I have to say, reading the reports written by Capt. Tim Ekstrom of the Royal Star is always a pleasure.

This man is so obviously well educated, articulate and down right to the point.

I especially like a Man who defends and stands behind his crew! He writes with such an unbridaled enthusiasm even after 21 years at sea. To me that is refreshing.

It is so much better than 99% of the other reports that come across the websites. I want details, enthusiasm, techniques that are and are not working.

Please don't put the least educated crewman on the keyboards. It denotes a bad view in the public opinion.

Merry Christmas to all.

PS...

I talked to Tim at lenght about his prowness as a writer and hope to spend some watch time with him on my upcoming 10day...Who knows who will be on the boat but if he is I certainly will be a sponge around the man.

Be blessed in 2008

His articulation is drawing the ire of many on other boards. Some see his comments as self serving and aimed at the Intrepid.

I enjoy his reports but of late they seem to be a little over the top in glorifying the star and putting other's down. But since I don't know much about the politics with the San Diego fleet I will observe from the sidelines.

Different strokes for different folks.

Me--- When I ask what time it is, I don't want 1,000 words on how watch was made.

RS is not pleased with being followed on the tuna grounds.

It is a free ocean but the code groups do not respect pirate behavior.

I would agree that pontification gets in the way at times but what else do you do in the middle of the night heading up stream for port.

quote:

It is a free ocean but the code groups do not respect pirate behavior.

Piracy is a very harsh word. I have read reports by the RS and also by Shogun and the RP. All of the boats are suffering from low counts due to a bad economy and high prices. Too much blame is placed in Intrepid as they are running short, too. pontificating? I think Tim is running scared!

As I said before, I'm not privy to the politics of the long range scene. However, if I was Tim I would be doing double time to increase my customer service and satisfaction so that I didn't lose customers to the "new guy."

It's all about competition in free enterprise. Putting a competitor down isn't good customer service.

Yes, I to listen to Tim like a sponge. I like him as a person.

HOWEVER! Self pontification at the same time as bashing the newest inovation in the fleet, makes he himself look childish and scared.

The Intrepid IS the intended target if you read both Vessels report.
The Intrepid praises Tim and the Star for calling them over into a huge bite. Then? Tim bashes the other vessel, un-named in his diatribe.

I have fished with Tim 3 times and he is an absolute bombshell on the deck. That man has so much stamina that it makes 13 year old hyper active kids look slow.

He sees EVERYTHING on his deck. Does everything. But, to actually come across like he and Randy are the only two individuals in the industry that can put fish on the boat is a sad thing that may wind up coming back to bite them in the ass.

I fished the Star last Christmas and we tore it up. Brett was onboard as Capt and things were much different. The passengers who are hard core long rangers were comparing the Royal Star to the RRIII and the Indy and saying that the other boats have them beaten in service, comfort and speed.

I really don't care what a vessel looks like...........give me amenities if I am going to call the vessel home for 10-20 days.
Like the star. 2 plug outlets that I could find in the salon for working my laptop for movies???????
Then, I had the Mexican cook unplugging me to plug in kitch utensils without even excusing himself. That was not good.

I am saddened by the bashing of the newer vessels in the fleet and their crews. I see that as a seriously childish mistake.

If ya want more business, praise those in your industry that you compete against. I do and I gain more hunters from this. Why, because I won't bash another outfitter.
Here's why. There are so many people trying to beat down our hunting and fishing rights. Then, if we get to fighting amongst each other???? They will take that crap and stoke the fire even hotter.

Like I said, I like Tim and Randy on the Star alot. I just find it so tragic that the report that was put forth was so over the top self promoting while ttearing apart another boat and her crew.

I wish each and every one of you a Merry Christmas, Happy new years and HUGE Cows on your trips.

Same to you PS, I will try to catch a huge cow for you. Merry Christmas.

And I agree customer service is what you want not bashing the competition.

I apologize for not putting quotes around "priracy" my error...I need more sensitivy training

I do believe that each and every boat is skippered by men with huge ego's and that is their culture. The undercurrent runs deep as newer and "better" boats, & new money comes into the LR mix at what basically has been a Frank and Bill show for years.

Times change, markets change, economies fluctuate. All thies variables effect the bottom line of each business.

My sense is that the Intrepid has not been welcomed into the docks for whatever reason.

There are you that have experience on all these boats and the economics behind the sceens. I leave it to you to ferret out the rational between the current discord.

Heck ladies and gentilmen, I just want to go fishing and have an opportunity to catch a "cow"

In my world, a " 200 # cow" equates to a 350 B & C Elk and a 300 # is a 400 B&C ELk.

Very few are ever taken on Public land DIY hunts. Thats my passion and thats why I love the challenge of LR fishing... it's in the hunt, the catch and the dotting the i at the ned of the encounter.

Wishing you all the best in 2008

That's what happened to Bill Gates, Donald Trump, and Oprah !!! They are #1 and still trying to "GET HIGHER" 'up the proverbial ladder !!!! I feel the same for those that are poor !!! SO WHAT !!!!

Even the losers get lucky sometimes,....Tom PETTY

quote:

The undercurrent runs deep as newer and "better" boats, & new money comes into the LR mix at what basically has been a Frank and Bill show for years.

Bill and Frank both thank Lee and Randy Palm for Alijos. The RR was the first at a lot of long range spots. There is room for a lot of fishermen in the longe range grounds. Let's all get along.

I agree Agate D.

I just sick of the friggin egos and infighting.

They all share the same goal and that is to get US, the paying clients fish.

AMEN