While we were fishing this morning, I was joking with Capt. Sten. I explained that since I have fished with many of the famous captains of the Bering Sea, I could act as his consultant and offer him some fishing advice. He looked at me sideways and cocked one eyebrow. I continued, “If you want to fish king crab like Johnathan Hillstrand, I’ll show you where to throw down a horseshoe-shaped string. If you want to fish late opies like Sig, I’ll take you to a set of canyon terraces that can help you mop up after the grounds have been picked over.” He began to laugh as I went on “Or … if you want, we could do a thread-the-needle on a strip of sand between a couple of rocks just east of St. Paul -- like Ricky on the Maverick!” We were both roaring with laughter as he rose from the captain’s seat and headed out to run the crane.
Sten stood on the upper deck looking aft, operating the hydraulic crane controls. He was still laughing as the boat rocked and motored forward into the waves -- guided only by the ship's autopilot. He was wearing his thick blue “freezer suit.” His wild hair stood up through the top of his black headband, shaking stiffly like a field of tall reeds in the wind. The North American’s skipper was effectively working the deck while he was driving the boat to the next pot. He is the only captain that I have ever seen do this during fishing operations.
As I filmed him working, Sten skillfully pivoted the crane in order to drag a pot past the North American’s sorting table, which was now overflowing with opilio crab. He glanced over to me and motioned at the table. “Your new crab-fishing consultation idea has a major flaw,” he said. “Who would listen to you? Every captain will only fish his own way.” I zoomed in, struggling to hold a tight shot of his face. The captain continued, “My style is to let them soak, give the bait ample time to do its work.” While I continued to film the scene, I contemplated what he had said.
So far Sten’s strategy seemed to be working. From my position on the upper deck, I could see how his successful strategies had affected the whole crew. They were working very hard. Travis had lost the usual bounce in his step. D-Bo, the vessel’s greenhorn, was exhausted. He appeared to be unable to keep up with his dual tasks, sorting and continuing to make bait. The rest of the crew was in “grind mode,” operating with precision, maintaining a heads-down silence, except to berate the greenhorn from time to time.
As Sten swung another pot, he looked over to me and said. “If the numbers keep coming up like this, we may end up setting our pots back in this one place all season … until we are done!” I reflected on this, thinking about all of my past experiences on other boats, always re-setting our pots. Sten released the hydraulic controls and added, “Fishing the whole season in just one spot ? I don’t think that I have ever heard of anyone doing that before!” As Sten turned and I followed him back into the wheelhouse, I said to him over his shoulder, “I guess I will need to record these coordinates.” He shook his head and laughed again.
Photo: Marc Carter/DCL
I saw another posting with an idea of crab pot cam.
I am not sure as the cost of this would be but since the DC has companion boats traveling with the fleet, I can't imagine it would be too much more expensive to set something up in connection with a salvaging operation submarine cam or something equivalent. It would be interesting to watch the crab enter the pot for the bait, time lapse over a soak.
DC is really missing the "catch" this season showing all of this Phil Harris drama. Who wants to see this chimney hacking and spitting blood into a napkin over and over again.
There is a lot of interesting footage that would also be educational to us who don't get out, but are intrigued by the fishing industry.
Time for the editors at DC to rename the show, the Phil Harris Drama hour.
Posted by: norwegian_footballer | June 25, 2008 at 05:27 PM
I think the comments about Phil Harris are cruel. I have been very concerned about his health. No matter how you feel about someone you need to show respect. You may not want to watch the show if you feel this way. I am sure if it had been any other captain they would have gotten the same coverage.
Posted by: Lyle Frederick | June 25, 2008 at 07:50 PM
For those of you who never miss an episode of Deadliest catch like me, I wanted to mention that the wheel has really turned. We've just started a Deadliest Catch Fan Site . . . for Barack Obama.
I'd like to see what kind of advice John, Sig, Phil, Sven would have for us.
Posted by: Antonia Inman | June 27, 2008 at 05:30 PM
Captain Sten is a GOD among mortals! How cool *is* that ridiculous green viking helmet with neon horns?
Almost as cool as a captain who can run the hydraulics and the boat at the same time. Rock on, Captain Sten!
Posted by: TVDinner | July 02, 2008 at 12:36 AM
Doug, I'm really Happy with your Catch Diary Sten and his Crew are wonderful Guys--- I'm sure you know that. I don't know any of the other men on the other Boats,I'm Very happy with yours and Marc's filming of there boat, More Air time would be nice. You should write a Book your a wounderful. unlike myself LOL. Hey maybe a Bloopers Show??? thank you.
Sten said you guys are great!
Posted by: Danski | July 03, 2008 at 01:33 AM