What do you guys think about this move? Capt. Keith..what are your thoughts? Will any of the Wizard's crew be going with you?

Ebb & Flow: Big returns for Gloucester this spring

By Peter K. Prybot
Special to the Times

Along the Gloucester waterfront, people have brought back a business and a boat already in 2008. And a cable TV channel responsible for a top-rated show last year will bring a return of national attention to Gloucester.

Back in the spotlight

Gloucester will soon have its celebrity fishing captains as the Bering Sea crab fishery already does, and the port will be put back into the national spotlight as "The Perfect Storm" book and movie did several years ago.

A phone call from Paul Gasek, executive producer of the Discovery Channel's "Deadliest Catch" series, to Times Editor Ray Lamont in March started the process. The Discovery Channel chose to film its "After the Catch II" series here, with the plan of bringing "our captains, including Sig Hansen, Phil Harris, Keith Colburn, and Andy and Jonathan Hillstrand, along with some of their crew to Gloucester to visit their eastern counterparts for a roundtable discussion at a barroom frequented by fishermen," Gasek explained.

"Choosing Gloucester was my idea," he added. "The Discovery Channel wanted to go to a real historic fishing port," said Gasek, a former tub-trawl fisherman who worked out of Chatham and landed his fish in Gloucester.

Based on my knowledge of the local fishing industry and the people behind it, Lamont directed Gasek to me. Gasek and I soon toured the waterfront along with several of the port's favorite watering holes. He was also given a list of local fishing captain candidates who were chosen in part for their experience and ability to perform in front of a camera.

I later met again with Gasek and people, including producer Mark Fortgang, assisting with the show from Original Productions of Burbank, Calif., and Silent Crow Arts of New York. They had already chosen Jimmy Pratt's Pratty's CAV along Parker Street, but didn't know who to contact. I knew just the person: Jack Magner, a long-time Pratty's CAV family member. Jack quickly lined up everything.

The Gloucester captain candidates have since been interviewed and taped.

"They were great," Fortgang said. Five "After The Catch II" shows, which will include individual interviews with the local captains, will be taped in early June.

Stay tuned for their identities. The shows will air on five consecutive Tuesdays beginning June 10.

I think it will be very cool to meet the fisherman of Americas oldest fishing port. The History alone will be amazing. I have never been to Gloucester, and can't wait.

I believe at least one additional Wizard crewman will be there as well.

With any luck I'll get to see a ball game at Fenway park while I'm in the area.
If anyone with local knowledge has any recommendations for sight seeing let me know.

Thank you Capt. I've been to Baaaaaaastan, but neveha ta Glasta....
Yikes...I just can't do an Mass. accent..rotflmao.

http://www.essexheritage.org/sites/cape_ann.shtml
http://www.essexshipbuildingmuseum.org/shipbldg.html

Looks like lots of neat museums. You will have to get a bowl of chowder; I mean chowda..LOL

Mystic Thank you for posting this...how do you find this stuff?
Glaw-sta is about 30 mins from me. June is a great time to visit Boston. Legal Seafood is your best bet for a great dinner. The freedom trail is a must for History buffs. Fenway Park is great...if you can find tickets and they are a lilttle pricey. The cask n flagan is a great bar for a few pops before the game. If your bringing the kids the Duck tour is great (ummm...they don't sell duck farts on the tour hehe) Its a good time for adults too. The New England Aquarium is great too.
I have personally confirmed that Legal Seafood has Alaskan King crab..and its yummy too! I can't say enough about that place, I love it.
Fanuel Hall is alot of fun too, street performers, many bars, shops etc.
Capt Keith if you love history, Boston is your town!

WOW! Thanks for the great information Mystic! How cool that it's going to be filmed on the East Coast and that we'll get to hear a bit from some of the fishermen from that area of the country too. I'm really excited to see this! Capt. Keith, I've never been up to that part of the nation...that's next year in my book! It seems like you've been given a good heads up to some fun times thanks to Mystic and Mary G! Have a great time and I can't wait to see the show!

Hey Keith,
I haven't posted here in a while, but this caught my eye because I will be in Boston for a medical meeting starting June 5th. I don't even know if you will still be there then, but do you know if there will be any events for fans to meet you all?
I'd love to see you again!

*Waves* Hi Jackie!!!!!!!!! Jeepers girl...I hope things work out so you and Keith can meet up!!!!!!! Also...EXCELLENT question about whether there will be fan events or not!