Yahoo Buckaroo!

Hello Fishies!

Ok that title really belongs to Hiram, but after last night’s viewing of the National Geographic Channel’s Cowboys of the Sea, I just had to use that!

It was great fun to sit here with my fishermen friends and family exclaiming “Hey! There is the Triumph!” Or, “Look! Look! That is so-and-so!” Of course, given the company I keep, there was also a running commentary about the men, the boats and the fish cops.

Yes, it was most definitely patterned after the Deadliest Catch, but I can forgive that. What’s that line about mimicry being the sincerest form of flattery? It was a treat to see the Bristol Bay gillnet fishery finally televised. I know that those who live and work there were thrilled to see Naknek “put on the map”.

Oddly enough, the gill netters are made up mainly of school teachers and college students. While there are a few full time professional fishermen in the mix, it is an exception rather than the rule. The deck crew, or pickers or pullers as they are known, can be the place that those of you aspiring to become fishermen on the big boats can start.

Stay tuned!

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