Cowboys of the Sea
February 23, 2007Daniel Lucas Stern - Producer
Growing up, I was always enthralled by stories of the dangers and rewards of commercial fishing in Alaska. Be it those adolescent dreams of adventure, survival, camaraderie, and riches, or my post-college wonderment of a career choice I never quite pulled the trigger on. Needless, to say you can imagine the excitement and anticipation my peers and I enjoyed as we prepared to make our way to Bristol Bay, Alaska for the 2006 sockeye salmon season.
In late June, much to the envy of many of our friends and family, the crew and I made our way to the Alaska Peninsula for an adventure that promised to be priceless. Flying into Alaska, high above the tallest, steepest, snow covered peaks I’d ever seen, I couldn’t help but feel as if I was truly going to a completely new, unspoiled world that I was previously unfamiliar with. I had known places like this must exist, but had never been fortunate enough to experience one first hand. I quickly got the feeling that many of the people we met up there, from the natives to the seasonal fishermen and workers from the lower forty eight, knew this and carried with them a sort of friendly, “I told you so” demeanor.
The crew and I lodged at Peter Pan Seafoods’ base camp in Naknek. We shared a bunkhouse primarily with a group of older, Italian-American fishermen, who didn’t initially trust the idea of us “Hollywood types” depicting their industry honestly and accurately. Their welcome wagon was complete with verbal confrontations and a not-so-cryptic “Don’t F%*k With Fishermen” sign on our window. But, after long conversations, shared experiences, the realization that we weren’t in fact, from Hollywood, and a little peace-offering in the form of Bourbon, the two groups not only made peace but came to rather enjoy one another during downtime.
It was this sort of camaraderie that would lead to the success of this venture in many ways. Convincing fishermen to board their vessels with cameras, sound gear, and a boom pole wind screen that was described by one captain as a large feminine-hygiene device, all in the midst of the hectic madness of Bristol Bay’s “combat-style fishing” is no easy task. And the fishing proved to be as intense and unique as advertised. Captains screaming at one another, ramming each other’s boats while attempting to get in the best position, and sometimes even throwing objects at each other are all par for the course in the close-quartered Naknek River mouth.
From my first day on the boat, trying desperately to gain my sea legs, but failing miserably (off the side of the boat; not me, but my lunch), to the many days of fishing, filming, and eating wild sockeye that came out of the water five minutes before, to our last day of shooting and saying goodbye to the friends we’d made, this was one experience I will never forget, always cherish, and with any luck, be able to repeat. It’s no wonder so many people from all walks of life come to places like Naknek, Egegik, and Dillingham year after year to fish!
Comments (43)
Fascinating, it sounds less like Cowboys of the Sea and more like Pirates. Fighting each other for position, throwing things- that's not stuff I've seen on discovery's show - I hope you guys are brave enough to show that!
Posted by Carlson | February 24, 2007 8:05 AM
Sweet, I'm there!
Posted by Sheila | February 24, 2007 11:04 PM
Not all bristol Bay fisherman fish this style of fishing. Some of us who have been around alot longer than Matt,think this is exactly why Bristol Bay salmon is regarded as a poor quality fish.
Posted by doug | February 26, 2007 9:50 PM
Would of been a little more realistic if you showed the 'Local Alaskans' point of view. Those who grew up fishing, Most of who were on the show wern't from Alaska I'm guessing.
Posted by Kelly | February 27, 2007 1:22 AM
Anyone know how to contact Matt for a job on his boat for next season. I'm a great mechanic!
Posted by Mike | February 27, 2007 11:10 AM
I LIKED THE SHOW. NOW PEOPLE WHO THINK THAT THEY ARE ABLE TO DO THIS TYPE OF WORK HAVE A CLEAR PICTURE OF WHAT IT'S REALLY LIKE TO BE AN ALASKAN FISHERMAN AND NOT A CONSTRUCTION WORKER!
Posted by JACK | February 27, 2007 1:08 PM
Paul Boskoffsky is born & raised in Egegik. He fished 48 plus years in Egegik. Too bad you didn't interview him about real fishing. He's 70 plus now and can do it better than North Marker gillnet fishermen. He made real money before he could read & write 50 yrs ago. Ask him,might even get a good hot free meal. Everyone in Egk., Dlg.,& Naknek will be glad you did :0)
Every summer he puts the boat "Majestic" stern low with salmon for Alaska General Seafoods company.
Posted by Mrs. Paul Boskoffsky | February 27, 2007 1:42 PM
Always neat to see what UVM graduates are up to these days.
Crosby you are super cool.
Posted by Katie Bengtson | February 27, 2007 3:30 PM
I enjoyed the show and glimpse into the world of Alaskan salmon fisherman. I thought you did a good job capturing the intense emotions and stress of the job. I could feel the shot nerves and sense that the fisherman were on edge due to the high stakes. I was tired just watching the program.
Posted by Cally | February 27, 2007 3:48 PM
Hey Mike, you or anyone else can contact Matt Marinkovich through his website think-fish.net. You need to click on "Ask the Fisherman," and not "burning questions answered" to bring up the contact form.
Posted by Maureen | February 27, 2007 8:33 PM
Hey Mike, you or anyone else can contact Matt Marinkovich through his website think-fish.net. You need to click on "Ask the Fisherman," and not "burning questions answered" to bring up the contact form.
Posted by Maureen | February 27, 2007 8:34 PM
Check out the website of captain Matt from the show, you can buy his fish online!
www.think-fish.net
Posted by Erik | February 28, 2007 1:00 AM
Great show!
Posted by Karin Hastings | February 28, 2007 12:30 PM
It's a shame you wasted your time filming fishing "in river" on the Naknek side. That's not real fishing--it looked more like bumper cars and there wasn't a true Alaskan on the show. You would have had a much better depiction of Bristol Bay fishing if you had shown some of the locals on their boats or setnetting on the beach. Those are fisherman, not guys out on a summer adventure.
Posted by Patty Luckhurst | February 28, 2007 3:45 PM
Liked the show - amazing work and I don't even eat seafood - who in their right mind would do that?
Posted by Sheila | March 2, 2007 3:49 PM
It's called combat fishing at its finest. Greed! Been doing it for many years. Not too much in naknek, most of the time in egegik. We dont get paid enough since farmed salmon took over the market. I must say, don't eat that crud! it'll give ya somthing un-natural. If they didn't add dye to the meat, it would be gray. The bay is gruelling and intense. every once in a while fun. I don't know if the show had much weather in it. the naknek river dosen't get rough, every where else does. you can take a serious beating in a 32 foot boat.
When i first started as a crew member there, people would set up tent city's, and look for boat work. alot of money was too be made, thats not the case anymore. The work is the same. It's long and tough. not every one can do it. It's hard to find a good crew anymore.
I haven't seen the show yet, a buddy was telling me about it. I can't wait.
EAT SOCKEYE. DO NOT FARMED SALMON!!!
Posted by F/V Elizabeth Anne | March 3, 2007 12:05 AM
Great program NGC,
Brought back many memories of my seasons on the Bristol Bay fishing grounds. Before the boats were confined to the mouth of the Nak Nek River we would fish places like: Grave yard, the cut banks, the banana trees, dead man sands. Some of the older fishermen will remember this type of fishing when the boats were spread out and not everyone had to fight the line. Now lets all learn to speak Yupik with Molly (KDLG Dillingham)
Posted by Russ Graves | March 5, 2007 11:21 AM
Crosby- go get them fish!!! Do it for Worthing Road!!!
Posted by Nat Woodruff | March 5, 2007 8:17 PM
Hey Russ Graves...
Lets get the spelling of the town right (Naknek) before you try to act like you're a local.
"FRIENDS DONT LET FRIENDS EAT FARMED SALMON!"
Posted by True Local | March 5, 2007 11:13 PM
They called the canned salmon alaskan gold, which they should, we are getting paid the same amount per pound that we thought was not enough in 1983!!!
Posted by JVA | March 7, 2007 3:16 PM
Hey Matt rember that time you and your brother got really sauced on the FV Lady Franciene and beat each other up while tied to the dock in Port Moller. I never seen so much orange tang mixture scattererd around a fish boat cabin like that. Remember that Port Moller Herring Purseine season 1987??
Posted by matt olsen | March 11, 2007 2:29 AM
Daniel
I have fished for 35 years, five of those were in the "bay". I prefer to be called "fisherman", not "cowboy" or "fisher", or anything else.
Naknek is not a really good place to film real fishing in my opinion, to many "cowboys".
No one seems to want to film or interview Alaskan "Fisherman". There are seasons in Alaska that last 10 months or more. And there are "fisherman" who fish multiple species and may be out on the grounds 12 months every year.
Paul Boskoffsky would be a great story to air on National Geographic. There are a lot of old timers in the "bay" that would be more then happy to educate your viewers about Bristol Bay and the fishery. Please consider interviewing them!
Posted by randyk | March 13, 2007 5:05 PM
I started in the Bay in 1967 setnetting in Egegik. Switched over to tendering the following year, eventually running scows for Red Salmon and Sea Alaska (formerly Alaska Packers). My last year was 1983.
There was no fishing in the Naknek River, although we took fish deliveries inside. We picked up fish in Egegik (inside the River and outside). Also took deliveries at the "Y," West Side and Graveyard, which were considered part of the Kvichak River fishing area.
Even in those days, it was a circus at the regulatory lines. Yelling, boats running into each other and getting web (nets) wrapped in their wheels (propellers) was common.
I remember well Paul Boskoffsky when I worked and he fished for Egegik Packing Company -- a gentleman and excellent fisherman.
Posted by Bob Hawkinson | March 14, 2007 5:16 PM
Where can I purchase a copy of this program? I missed it on tv and it doesn't look like it will play again. I was fishing in naknek this summer when the crew was there and want to see if there is any footage of me.
thanks
Posted by Travis | March 24, 2007 8:10 PM
Nice show! I'm gonna try out Bristol Bay this summer.
Posted by mike | March 28, 2007 3:47 PM
No matter what others might say or think, this is what Bristol bay and other places have become, combat fishing! One reason why I no longer fish there, not because it is hard on the fisherman or there boats, but rather what has become "normal practice" for the care of the valuable food product. It is much easier to manage a fishery for the ADF&G in the river then out in the open water. Thanks for exposing the poor care of fish!
John F/V Fishalot
Posted by John F/V Fishalot | March 29, 2007 3:42 PM
If you really want to see a highliner in action put the camera on the F/V Aluminator. During the peak of the run the volume of fish is so great that even the best of fishermen get put on catch quotas, but not them. As soon as the last fish is picked he's setting the gear on step in inches of water with another boatload ahead of him.
Posted by Ray | April 3, 2007 6:57 PM
I saw the show and I was on the line when they were filming.Seemed just as real as when I was watching it live.I was a setnetter on the beach and in the river for my grandpa.He has lived there for almost 35 years.You wanna watch experience.Meet him.
Posted by Jeff Wood | April 12, 2007 2:04 PM
Enjoyed the show. Makes me homesick, stuck here in New Mexico. Only wish is that you would have steered away from greenhorns. I agree that the oldtimers are the "true fishermen."
Eat Alaska Wild Salmon! Alaska puts the red in red salmon. Nothing better.
Posted by Naknekgirl | April 17, 2007 1:36 PM
One of those Captains...is a construction worker....
I know because I work with him..
Posted by Vinnycor | April 21, 2007 12:30 PM
I have been a deckhand in Alaska for 10 years. Last year was my rookie season as a captain in the Nushagak district. You definitly did an accurate documentery on the cursing and stress that is associated with the job. I am heading back in a week to put a new main in my boat and get ready for the season. I am looking forward to being angry for a month!
Posted by Tommy | April 24, 2007 3:41 PM
Please don't call us cowboys,we beat cowboys up!
Posted by Johnny | April 24, 2007 3:47 PM
When will Cowboys of the Sea be aired again, and/or how can we get a copy of the program
Posted by Brian and Lynn | May 27, 2007 3:17 PM
I liked the show.
Thats exacly what it was,
A SHOW!!!! Should of showed a little of the Fishing once the whole district was open to fishing, the viewers would of liked to see fishing at its finest,
The sternloads on 12th of July,Thats what you should of filmed.
Posted by Anthony | May 30, 2007 5:26 PM
Hey, I thought that it was a great one hour TV special and is there anyway that you are going to make into a series, you got some serious protential with this. You know the success that Discovery is having with their series that is about commercial fishing in Alaska.
Posted by NJGril | July 14, 2007 1:36 AM
I agree with NJGirl. The season is long enuff to do more than just an hour's worth of television. A series would show more of the intense aspects of salmon fishing! The fans of Deadliest Catch can't get enuff of Alaska, the sea, crabbing, and the crews adventures; so, a sea cowboys series would be a good bet! But, keep Matt and Crosby on as regulars!!Live Life Large Matt and Crosby!!! Be safe in all your Adventures!
Posted by Wisc Oasis SS | August 18, 2007 11:04 PM
i have worked all over AK and i have often said they should do a series on Herring fishing in togiak (i was a roe tech) and salmon in bristol bay my first year up there with all the spoters flying and nets on top of each other it was something to see.
Posted by originaldoodoo | September 16, 2007 3:48 PM
i would say the shows pretty good but id have to agree with Mrs. Paul Boskoffsky its all about the real alaskan fishermen not the outsiders comming in for the cash
Posted by timothy | October 19, 2007 4:59 AM
i want to work wity NGC please give me a job in NGC
Posted by saadulkah akhter | November 5, 2007 2:40 PM
didnt even know they had a show for bristol bay fishermen...lol..rite on,well see-ing if theres anybody i know in here,use tolive in naknek,but now live in eagle river me and my daughter....but still have many friends and relatives that still live there...hello williams family,hello jodei at redline and everybody else,my father richard and siter and her family,the phelps..god bless to you all of you...
Posted by loni | November 13, 2007 2:33 PM
Hey If you liked the Show and want to learn more about Bristol Bay,Alaska and the fishing industry check out my videos there from BB,Alaska
Check out my Youtube site.
and tell me what you think subsribe and tell me what you think. A link will be listed below
http://www.youtube.com/user/pb2x
The Alaska Documentarys would be under Bristol Bay,Alaska 2006-2007
Check out them and lmk!
Posted by Chris | January 28, 2008 6:18 PM
Can a DVD of Cowboys of the Sea be purchased, bummed or borrowed? I can't find it anywhere.
Posted by DEVON | April 14, 2008 4:32 PM
i love to watch your guys show
Posted by Sydnaey | April 29, 2008 11:29 AM