September 2010
The crew from Discovery Channel’s mega-hit Deadliest Catch knows how to reel us in. Before they drop anchor at Merrill Auditorium September 12 during their live tour, we caught up with the fearless and bawdy Hillstrand brothers.
Interview by Robyn Foley
What’s the difference between a regular fairy tale and a fisherman’s fairy tale?
Captain Andy Hillstrand: A regular fairy tale starts out, “Once upon a time.” A fisherman’s fairy tale begins, “You’re never going to [freakin’] believe this!”
Of all the hours of footage shot in a season, how many actually make it on Deadliest Catch?
Captain Johnathan Hillstrand: We shoot 10,000 hours each season; about 20 hours make it on the show.
Ok, so you’re in port and in a hurry for a dinner date–is there a quick antidote for crab stink? Can you tell us any homemade remedies? Lemon juice?
AH: Ah, but [crab stink] is the smell of money!
You crab fishermen have your superstitions–what are your faves?
AH: We’re Swedish, so we will do a left-handed Swedish turn heading out.
Johnathan, when you fished in Gloucester–did you get up here to Portland?
JH: Many times. When I owned the fishing vessel Canyon Explorer, we were in town a lot–fishing for deep-sea lobster and slime eels. I have friends here.
Jay Leno recently wisecracked, “You guys remind me of every Mainer I have ever met.” But, you’re not Mainers! What do you think he meant by that?
JH: …Hard working and honest.
What’s your craziest bycatch?
JH: We brought up a half cod, half shark one time.
AH: A ratfish.
JH: We were going to call it an “Andy-fish.” We’ve also brought up a Scale Crab–there are only four or five on record. It’s a deep-sea crab with red and white stripes.
Sounds like half-lie, half-truth. Sometimes blue lobsters turn up in Maine traps; have any blue crabs or other interesting anomalies graced your crab pots?
JH: Rarely there will be a white king crab. You can get a light blue Opilio crab sometimes, too. Those are one in a million, though.
AH: Johnathan always says “one in a million” when he doesn’t know the true stats.
If you weren’t destined to be crab-boat captains, what do you think you’d be doing now?
AH: Astronaut.
JH: Racing something. We’ve both always loved racing cars. We used to do the quarter mile.
AH: American-Graffiti style.
[A dreamy pause ensues]
JH: I had a ’55 Chevy 600hp once.
AH: 1979 GTO with a ’69 body. It did 180 mph.
The flag on your vessel Time Bandit is a Jolly Roger. What’s up with that? You guys trying to ward off evil spirits?
JH: It’s funny–a red background would mean everyone’s going to be killed; the black background means “surrender.” We definitely want the crabs to surrender!
Becky’s Diner is a waterfront landmark here in Portland. All the crews from sword boats to shrimpers and lobster boats find their way here. Any plans to make the pilgrimage for good luck? It’s like kissing the Blarney Stone. Even Taylor Swift–.
JH: We’re there!
Catch the Hillstrand brothers and Captain Sig in Portland during their live show, “An Evening with the Captains of Deadliest Catch,” September 12 at Merrill Auditorium.
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