I remember seeing a bumper sticker once that said, “The worst day fishing is better than the best day working.” Sure, that may be true for normal men, but for the professional deckhands of the North American the adage should read, “The worst day fishing is a hell of a lot of work.” Today has been that day.
Now, when I say the worst day fishing, it does not mean that we have experienced bad fishing; it’s just that our opilio crab counts have dropped down to lower numbers. We are now catching an average of only 200 crabs per pot. At other times this might be acceptable, but on the North American, we have really gotten used to pulling pots that have had counts in excess of 400 keepers. At the end of a long season, when the crew is trying to fill the boat for the last time, these lower numbers are a bit disheartening.
The crew has gone back into silent mode. Even Travis is visibly affected by the prospect of spending an extra week out here. The crew is beginning to question the captain’s decision to set back the pots again, but Sten is taking a chance that the numbers will improve. At this point it would be more risky to make a move -- to pick up his pots and try to find another honey hole. He knows there are crab here, and he has decided to grind it out. Besides, if he can set back his pots one more time in this spot, it will be a record for the North American. They will have fished an entire season without moving their pots at all.
As the fishing routine continues, I watch D-Bo from my perch on the upper deck. Head down and stumbling, he solemnly marches forward toward the end of his misery, wishing that each pot could be the last. I have come to appreciate D-Bo and have made a special effort to call him by his real name, Darrell. Though he is now unlikely to succeed as a greenhorn, and will probably never return to the Bering Sea, he does have hope of finishing with his honor intact. I smile thinking about him returning to shore. He has told everyone what he will do with his incredibly hard-earned money. He will finally get the chance to take his daughter to Disneyland. He has been suffering in order to do something for her that he was never able to do as a child.
Ten pots later, the numbers are increasing again. Finally a big pot comes over the rail. Everyone rejoices, hooting and hollering. Travis leaps up on the table with his usual spring. Sten comes out on the upper deck to celebrate. John, Davin and Terje laugh and tell the captain that they were beginning to doubt that they would see big numbers again.
Over in the bait corner, Darrell lifts his chin and smiles too. Watching him, I am sure that he is seeing the end of his drudgery for the first time. All the men on the crew have come to accept him by now. They too know that he will probably never again fish the deck of the North American. We have all learned that he is really a good man. He is not one of the superhuman diehards that populate the crabbing industry, but he is a worthy guy.
I smile again thinking of Darrell. I have a brief vision of him heading south in his pickup truck with his daughter, a new confidence in his face. I see him passing by with a sticker on his bumper that reads, “ The worst day fishing is a hell that you can’t imagine!”
Photo: Marc Carter/DCL
Hi, I just wanted to tell all the guys they are GREAT my sister and I watch the deadliest catch all the time. Even the re-runs. We love all of them and pray for each one. Worried about Phil also. Please take care. Your fans
Shirley Kiszenia and Sharon Cady
Posted by: shirley Kiszenia | July 18, 2008 at 05:54 PM
My Favorites are the Northwestern, Cornelia Marie and the Time Bandit all for different reasons.
Capt. Phil if you are reading these, do exactly as you are told. I smoked since I was 11 and had to stop at 60 or die.
Its no joke, and after 6 stents every day above ground is a good day. Take care of yourself and those who love you will have you around a lot longer.
If I can help, let me know. Stormy
Posted by: | July 20, 2008 at 01:19 AM
I REALLY wish they would stop showing this show. All it is now is drama and crewmen yelling and fighting. I think it should have ended at season one, because seriously who wants to watch people catch crabs 24/7 and have it shown all day re-run after re-run. Please make it stop discovery channel.
Posted by: Clint | July 20, 2008 at 02:19 PM
If Clint is so bent about this show being on then why is he searching for a blog about it?! Silly man.
Personally, I'm fascinated. Friends have been talking about it for a couple of years and I FINALLY caught on this year and am so hooked that I Netflix'd the first few seasons. I just got through season 1 and am wondering: will they ever bring back derby-style? So sad that so many people lost their living, their ways of life. Ever caught up with some of the captains from that first season? I wonder how they're doing and if they miss it.
Posted by: MamaP | July 20, 2008 at 09:28 PM
the guy with blood clots on this show should go see Dr. Michael Landzberg at the childrens hospital in Boston Mass.
Posted by: | July 24, 2008 at 02:52 AM
Funny...an adult going to see someone at a Children's hospital.....
I went to high school with Darrell Labay, I laughed my arse off when I saw him for the first time...he was a lil whiny gangster wannabe but glad to see he grew out of that and finished his time on the boat in honor...congrats dude!
Posted by: Craig | July 24, 2008 at 05:45 AM
Funny...an adult going to see someone at a Children's hospital.....
I went to high school with Darrell Labay, I laughed my arse off when I saw him for the first time...he was a lil whiny gangster wannabe but glad to see he grew out of that and finished his time on the boat in honor...congrats dude!
Posted by: Craig | July 24, 2008 at 05:47 AM
I also went to high school with D-Bo, Darrell Labay, he graduated a couple of years after me. My friend had told me he was on the show, glad to see that he is doing well.
Posted by: Tanya | July 24, 2008 at 04:17 PM
Discovery, you have really come up with an exciting series. I have enjoyed this show from beginning to end. Mike Rowe's "voice over" adds a lot, due to his dramatic delivery.But the real action comes with the exciting shots that the camermen get on board these boats. I could watch this series over and over. Thanks for bringing it to us.
Posted by: Art Kettelhut | July 27, 2008 at 02:03 PM
sten your dumb letting d-do go. we love that guy
Posted by: mike riddle | July 30, 2008 at 03:14 AM