The Decisions I Make Before I Decide Not to Fish
Some of the most important decisions I make as a commercial fisherman end with the boat staying exactly where it is. That can be hard to accept, especially when I have already gotten up before sunrise, made coffee, checked the weather, and started preparing for the day. Once I am awake and at the dock, […]
Why the Trip Home Matters as Much as the Trip Out
There is a point during a good fishing day when it becomes very easy to believe the work is almost finished. The catch is on board, the hardest part of the day seems to be behind me, and the boat is finally pointed toward home. After being awake since before sunrise, my thoughts naturally start […]
The Dock Is Where Fishermen Trade Information
Some of the most useful information I have picked up as a commercial fisherman has come from conversations at the dock. It does not arrive in a formal meeting, and nobody writes it down for everyone to read later. Most of the time, it comes up while someone is unloading a boat, repairing equipment, drinking […]
Why I Still Drink My Coffee Before Sunrise
There are mornings when I wake up before the alarm. I have been doing this work long enough that my body seems to know when it is time to get moving. The house is quiet, the sun is still below the horizon, and one of the first things I do is make coffee. I usually […]