Discovery’s Livechat with Capt. Andy Hillstrand from 06/10/08

Discovery’s Livechat from June 19th, 2008 was held with Capt. Andy Hillstrand of the F/V Time Bandit.  When this skipper’s not out in the Bering sea, he’s on his horse ranch in Indiana–always maintaining a close relationship with Mother Nature!  Read up on what Capt. Andy has to say about crab, fishing, and family.  The Hillstrands have done alot throughout this last season–they created a new Time Bandit website, just completely over-hauled the Time Bandit this summer, and a few months ago–they visited their father’s grave for the first time in six years, and shared that visit with us on ‘Deadliest Catch’.  Check out being a part of livechat for next week as they’re interviewing Capt. Johnathan Hillstrand on July 10th!

Andy Hillstrand: Hey, this is Captain Andy of the Time Bandit. I’m glad to be here. Last year’s chat was awesome, and I can’t wait to hear the questions this year!

Jenn: First, I want to say that I had the pleasure of meeting you at the Philly Deadliest Catch party and you were so great with the fans, thank you! My question is how did you become interested in training horses?

Andy Hillstrand: My daughter got into horses around 7 years old, so I was sort of like the tack dad. I took her to events, and from there I just fell in love with horses: the way they move and look and act.

Shake And Bake: Hey Captain Andy! I read somewhere that you practice Natural Horsemanship – any particular clinician?
Andy Hillstrand: Probably a friend of mine named Barry Cox. Clinton Anderson’s good, and so are Cleve Wells and Craig Cameron – all the guys nowadays are really good.

The Galway Girl: Hi Andy! I have two questions really: I’m a Parelli student and was wondering what level are you on and how, if at all, you work the Parelli games and principles into your Quarter Horse training?

Andy Hillstrand: I’m working on Level 3. I just work the program by being as natural as I can, using my body language, psychology, and having fun. I play with my horses, instead of making it a task.

Mandy: Hi Captain Andy! Was your home in Indiana hit by the floods?

Andy Hillstrand: No, 40 miles north got hit, but we didn’t. Thank God. We’ve had enough rain lately!

Sandi: Other than your wife and family, what do you miss the most while you are at sea?

Andy Hillstrand: My horses And my dogs. I can’t forget my dogs. I have 2 miniature Australian Shepherds: Bait (because if he’s not good, that’s what he’ll be!) and Callie.

The Galway Girl: Which crab season is your favorite and why?

Andy Hillstrand: King crab is my favorite season because they’re just so big and beautiful and I don’t have to worry about being the captain, I can just have fun on deck. Horsing around, no worries.

Bwest: Captain Andy, thanks for chatting with us. Love your show. Could you tell me what caused the crab to die in the onboard tank? Thanks very much.

Andy Hillstrand: They can crack a leg and die in there, or they might be dead when they go in the tank and someone didn’t notice. When they’re dead, they excrete a poison, and that starts killing all the other crabs.

Llama: Hi Andy! I’d like to say thank you for signing the blue shoes my friends Freida brought to the Wiki party. How does living in Indiana compare to Alaska?

Andy Hillstrand: There’s no comparison really. Alaska is like a place out of a storybook. But Indiana has really nice people, and it’s a lot less extreme than Alaska in the weather. It seems to be easier on my horses in the summertime.

Capt Marlena: What’s with John being in the wheel house? Though we love him, we like to have you to ourselves. By the way, my friend Joanie thinks John is hot. Come warm up in Naples, FL.

Andy Hillstrand: (laughing) Well Johnathan will be going down on deck for guest appearances, so stay tuned! But since they downsized the whole fleet, there’s no other boats for us to run. That’s why I work on deck for king crab: he’s just too old to work on deck for king crab! (He won’t be back from Sweden for 10 days, so I’m OK saying that)

Chip2004: What is your favorite place that you have gone on tour?

Andy Hillstrand: I have to say New York City, because there are just so many different places you can go without ever seeing the same thing.

Chip2004: What is your favorite TV show besides Deadliest Catch?

Andy Hillstrand: There’s a horse channel on RFD, but I don’t get it, because it’s only available on satellite. I love Shark Week on Discovery. When we were in New York,I wanted a giant shark from the Discovery building, but they wouldn’t give it to me.

Aroostook: I read somewhere that Neal has 2 sons. Are they interested in fishing at all?

Andy Hillstrand: Yes, Neal has two sons, and no, they’re not.

Lhiiiz: Hi Andy! Whose idea was it to put the new bulbous bow on the Time Bandit, and what purpose does it serve?

Andy Hillstrand: I’ve wanted one ever since we built the boat, but my dad wasn’t going to help us put it on. It adds flotation to the bow, about 20,000 pounds of lift. So when we have our pots on and all of our tanks down, there will be less chance of sinking. It’s very good. We gain speed too, and save fuel. We’re going green!

Scfj654: While you are taking the helm, do you ever get tips from Johnathan on where to place pots?

Andy Hillstrand: Yes, even when I didn’t want ‘em! On the first episode of opilio, we went to where he did good last year. And this year, we went to Magoo and landed on the mother lode. So in 12 hours we were pulling 700 crabs per pot.

Rocket-6: Hey Andy! Will there be more dates added for your book tour?

Andy Hillstrand: Yes, they’re talking about it. If you go to www.timebandit.tv, you can keep informed on all our appearances.

Eraywt: Thank you Captain Andy for spending time with us tonight. Please let us know your best crab season ever. What makes it the best – the most crab or the most $$?

Andy Hillstrand: My best crab season ever was 1999; I caught 1.7 million pounds of opilio in two months and one week. The guys made $72,000. It was one of those years where you couldn’t do anything wrong. I could drop a pot where I wouldn’t normally drop one, and it would be full. I was thinking like a crab That was in open access days, before quotas.

LindaMae: Are you and your brother close the rest of the year too, or just on the boat?

Andy Hillstrand: We’re best friends as far as that goes, but we don’t get to hang out too much in the summertime because I have the horse ranch. And he’s the single ladies’ man.

Munchkin: So if you had no choice and had to do something else, what would it be?

Andy Hillstrand: I would work with horses. I love horses.

Cinarte: If either of your daughters were interested in becoming part of your family crab business, would you let them?

Andy Hillstrand: I’ve had my daughters go out cod fishing with me before, but they like doing other things. My younger daughter is a professional photographer.

Cat9: When Johnathan plays captain, you’re on the deck helping. When you’re driving the boat, he’s playing back seat driver. Why doesn’t he help?

Andy Hillstrand: He’s too old! Opilio is so demanding – they only weigh 1.2 pounds, so we need young guys to do it. That’s why I do king crab – because they’re big and I can still do that job. Russell’s our charity case – he’s 45, and normally we would try to have 25-35 year old guys because you can work them like dogs. (In a good way!) They have strong backs.

Crabluver: My husband and I were wondering why you didn’t use tempered aluminum pots to lighten the load. The only thing he can come up with is that it gets so cold that it might snap under the conditions you work in.

Andy Hillstrand: They need to be heavy because you have 40-60 foot seas that rip through the buoys that are connected to the pots. They would lift an aluminum pot right off the bottom.

McB: Hi Andy! I adore the Time Bandit! Your website rocks, by the way. What do the 3 buoys on the pot mean?

Andy Hillstrand: The 3 buoys is our way of being able to get the pot back in rough weather. We need to be able to grab the pots in 40-60 foot seas, so this just makes it easier.

Carnivalchica28: Hey Andy! Love you guys on the Time Bandit. On to my question – on an average, how long does it take to fill the boat?

Andy Hillstrand: Average for opilio, about 2 days if you’re on hot fishing. King crab is about the same, 2 days if you’re on hot fishing.

Jenn: The scene where you and your brothers and nephew visit your father’s grave was very touching. It was such a personal moment, and I was wondering if you guys are able to tell the cameramen that certain scenes or conversations are off limit, or is it up to the producers to decide what makes the cut?

Andy Hillstrand: That was really tough for us to do. They asked us if we could go to his gravesite and at first we said no. It was too tough for us, so we went back and did it in the most respectful way we could. That was so hard. I hadn’t been back to his grave for 6 years.

Jessiemay: I love to watch your boat in action. Is it difficult to get along sometimes during the season? Also, when are you coming to California for a book signing?

Andy Hillstrand: It can be difficult after a couple of months to get along, because everyone wants to get off the boat. Hopefully soon to California – check our website at www.timebandit.tv for a schedule.

BroncoTrav: Since your father was also a fisherman, did you and your brothers have to work on the boats or did you want to?

Andy Hillstrand: We wanted to ever since we were kids. We cried when he left and didn’t take us.

NHEMT: You guys are the kings at pranks. What’s the next one you’re gonna pull?

Andy Hillstrand: Johnathan has one figured out, but you’ll have to wait until next year. Don’t change that channel!

Tabi: Which job do you prefer, being captain or deck boss and why?

Andy Hillstrand: I guess I prefer being captain, just because I’m so damned good at it, I guess! That’s where I seem to fit in better, because my body’s getting old for the deck job. I can use my mind when I’m captain.

LAl57: Capt. Andy, just finished your book “Time Bandit” and loved it!!!!! Any plans for a sequel?

Andy Hillstrand: Well, a lot of people have been asking. I guess we’ll just have to wait and see how well the first book sells. But thank you! Maybe you can buy another copy, and we’ll get a request for a sequel

BroncoTrav: We saw last year how you guys saved that guy from the other boat. How many other times or opportunities have you been able to save lives?

Andy Hillstrand: Johnathan saved 3 other guys’ lives on a little boat, and later one of the men he saved had the name of our other boat, Arctic Nomad, tattooed on his arm. Then we pulled a guy from the water after another boat tried to rescue him. Two hours of CPR, but he took his last breath as we pulled him out of the water.

Raegan123: Hi Andy, my question is does anyone on the boat ever get sea sick and what do you do about it???

Andy Hillstrand: Yes, Johnathan gets seasick on the boat, just when we first go out, then he gets over it. If the other guys get sick, we just tell them to puke in a bait jar. No crybabies.

Turtle: Does your mom watch the show and has she read the book?

Andy Hillstrand: My mom can’t watch the show, because she worries about us too much. She has read the book though and she says now she knows why she woke up at midnight and prayed for us all those years. Those are her exact words.

‘Deadliest Catch’ Skippers: What would they do if they weren’t fishermen?

In their continuing series of “Top 3″ answers by the ‘Deadliest Catch’ Skippers, Discovery’s posted another question to them, which is:

Top 3 Occupations You’d Like to Try if You Weren’t a Crab Fisherman

Phil of the Cornelia Marie

1. Jet Pilot
2. Fireman
3A. Window Washer on Skyscrapers or
3B. Mop Boy at an Adult Theater

Andy of the Time Bandit

Airplane pilot
Astronaut
Submarine pilot

Johnathan of the Time Bandit

Nascar driver
NHRA driver
Hockey player

Sig of the Northwestern

Couldn’t imagine not crab fishing for a living … maybe a Nascar driver?

Keith of the Wizard

Baseball Manager
Heli ski and back country guide
Adventure travel guide

All of the ‘Top 3′ posts can be found on Discovery’s ‘Deadliest Catch’ Wiki

 

Advice for Greenhorns from ‘Deadliest Catch’ Skippers

This is a good one!  For all of you ’Deadliest Catch’ fans who’ve thought about perhaps becoming a crab fisherman youselves…Here’s a little advise and a few tips from the featured skippers of ‘Deadliest Catch’.  And the ironic part is that it’s so obvious and logical that this is what a greenhorn should do yet time and time again we’ve seen different on the show.  And that’s what makes ‘Deadliest Catch’ so great, it’s a part of real life, and we get to see it all unfold!  The information comes from Discovery’s Deadliest Catch Wiki, check it out some time.  There’s alot of interesting info over there!

Top 3 Words of Advice for a Greenhorn

 
Phil of the Cornelia Marie

Do what you are told and ask questions after

Don’t act like you know what you are doing

And pay attention to what people are trying to teach you

Andy of the Time Bandit

Know your role

And shut your hole

Work your butt off and don’t complain

Johnathan of the Time Bandit

Shut the f*** up

Work your a** off

No cry babies

Sig of the Northwestern

Same advise my dad gave me…

Keep your mouth shut and do as your told…

Forget anything you think you know, because our boat works OUR way…

Leave your brains and your ego at the dock… [we will rebuild at sea]

Keith of the Wizard

Never Let Up!

 

What do the ‘Deadliest Catch’ skippers ALWAYS bring aboard before heading out to sea?

According to Discovery’s Deadliest Catch Wiki, each of the featured skippers have certain things they must bring aboard before leaving port.  Unquestionably the smokers need cigarettes but there’s a few other ‘needful things’ as well.  Here’s the captains’ top 3 things they must have….

Top 3 Things to Bring Aboard Before Each Fishing Trip

Phil of the Cornelia Marie

Cigarettes

Red Bull

Coffee

Andy of the Time Bandit

Diet Coke

Sunglasses

Baseball hat

Johnathan of the Time Bandit

Black leather “USA” Jacket

Baseball hat

Cigarettes

Sig of the Northwestern

Coffee

Cigarettes

Chocolate

Keith of the Wizard

Desire

Determination

Confidence

Who Would the ‘Deadliest Catch’ skippers like to fish with?

 

Have you ever check out Discovery’s Deadliest Catch Wiki?  If you have, you know then, that when you join there’s a personal profile to fill out and few ‘Deadliest Catch’ questions to answer such as Who’s your favorite skipper?, What are your favorite quotes?, Name three people you’d love to go fishing with, etc…  And anyways, Discovery has now gone to the featured skippers we’ve come to know and asked them to name the top three people they’d like to fish with.  Here’s what they had to say:

Phil of the Cornelia Marie

1. My father Grant Harris
2. NASCAR Driver Greg Biffle
3. Al Pacino

Andy of the Time Bandit

1. Mel Gibson
2. Kevin James
3. Mike Meyers
4. George Lopez

Johnathan of the Time Bandit

1. John Paul Jones (America’s first well-known naval hero who uttered the phrase “I have not yet begun to fight”)
2. Playboy Playmates
3. More Playboy Playmates

Sig of the Northwestern

1. My Grandfather: He was always my biggest inspiration.
2. My Father: Looking back, I didn’t get to fish with him as much as I would have liked…
3. Maybe George Clooney. I think we could help him hone in on some acting skills as a captain … [ just kidding, George ]

Keith of the Wizard

1. Einstein: I’m guessing he could help modify and increase efficiencies on board. And, if anyone could project thermo-clines, current velocities at different depths and the effects of barometric pressure on crab, he’s the guy.
2. Sun Tzu: One of the greatest military strategists the world has know. It’s obvious what I’m after here.
3. Babe Ruth: Great arm for throwing the hook, great with kids and I’m guessing we would have a lot of fun in town between trips.

Deadliest Catch Trading Cards?

Discovery now has trading card images of the skippers who are veterans to the show Deadliest Catch.  They’re on the Deadliest Catch Wiki and you’re invited to download them if you wish and add to your myspace, blog, website, etc…  Trading cards are an interesting thought.  Maybe we’ll eventually see the other skippers, the deckhands, the fishing vessels, crews from previous seasons, locations such as ports, bars, crabs, etc…  What a nice collection we could all have!

 

    

    

“Deadliest Catch” Season 4 Skippers

This year the Discovery channel is providing more information for “Deadliest Catch” then ever before!  Listed below is Discovery’s info on season 4 skippers.  Use the links to see additional photos of the skippers and crew on Discovery.  They’ve also added a ”character title” for each captain.  I won’t say who is who.  Let’s see if you can figure them out.  There is The Constant Fisherman, The Superstitious Strategist, The Cowboy & the Horse Whisperer (geez wonder who that is), The Easy Going Captain, and The Adventure Seeker.   Interested in seeing more pictures, reading more details?  Head on over to the Deadliest Catch wiki, fans are working at adding more images and details to all elements of the show!

Each year, hundreds of fishermen converge on Dutch Harbor, Alaska, for the beginning of the Alaskan king crab season. While at sea, they face nearly 24-hour shifts for days at a time, in less than optimal conditions: 40-foot waves, 80-mph winds, subfreezing weather and 700-pound crab pots slamming against the deck — not to mention a nearly 100 percent injury rate. But the payoff can be huge: Well-placed pots can collect millions of dollars worth of highly prized king crabs … or just enough crabs to cover the boat’s operating expenses. Whatever the take, the men and their families will feel the effects for the rest of the year.So who are these men risking their lives for their livelihood? Meet the captains of the six boats featured during Deadliest Catch 4.

Capt. Sig Hansen
Northwestern

A fourth-generation fisherman, Sig Hansen has been a captain for the past 18 years. A classic Norwegian skipper, Sig obsesses over every decision and revels in the competition and strategy of fishing. He can be extremely superstitious. His list of must-haves before he starts each season includes yellow Post-it notes and pencils with erasers taped to the tops.Sig operates the Northwestern with the help of his younger brothers, Deck Boss Edgar Hansen and Deckhand Norman Hansen. The trio also inspired the all-new Xbox 360® video game titled Deadliest Catch Alaskan Storm, an intense crab fishing adventure that puts players at the helm of a fishing vessel to search for crab while battling the elements of Mother Nature.Sig hails from Seattle, Wash., where he lives in the off-season with his wife and two daughters

Capt. Phil Harris
Cornelia Marie

A highly experienced seaman, Captain Phil Harris has worked in the commercial fishing industry for over 30 years. He has spent 17 of those years operating and co-owning the Cornelia Marie. Phil is joined again this season by his two sons, Josh and Jake. Josh, the older but less seasoned brother, is returning for a second season after serving as a greenhorn last year. Jake is returning for his fourth season of fishing and second season at full-share earning status.Phil lives in Seattle, Wash., during the off-season, where his hobbies include building handmade bird feeders and riding his Harley.

Capts. Johnathan and Andy Hillstrand
Time Bandit

Brothers Johnathan and Andy Hillstrand share the skippering duties onboard their family-owned and operated vessel, the Time Bandit. Johnathan is the captain during king crab season. His love for living on the edge doesn’t end when he gets off the boat, either. He’s often seen wearing his distinctive leather jacket and cowboy boots, and has a passion for riding his supercharged Harley. In the off-season, he splits his time between Seattle, Wash., and Homer, Alaska.Andy Hillstrand is the skipper during opilio crab season and spearheads the business side of the family’s fishing venture. During the off-season, Andy lives on a ranch in Indiana where he engages in his other passion — training horses.A third brother, Deckhand Neal Hillstrand, has two of the most important duties on the boat — cooking and keeping the boat running. Neal resides in Homer, where he also owns and operates a hydroseeding company.

Designed by the Hillstrands’ father and custom-built by the brothers, the Time Bandit features luxuries unheard of on other crab boats, including staterooms with queen-sized beds, a four-person sauna and a dishwasher.

Capt. Keith Colburn
Wizard

Keith Colburn is the captain of the Wizard, a World War II-era Navy ship that was converted into a fishing vessel in 1978. He started out as a deckhand on the boat in 1988, and eventually took over the skipper duties in 1994. When the owner was looking to sell the boat, Keith took a gamble and purchased it in 2005, knowing he would have to lease virtually all of his crab quota since he didn’t own the boat when IFQs (individual fishing quotas) were issued to boat owners earlier that year. The IFQ situation forces Keith to lease his quota from other boats each year.Keith’s brother Monte Colburn joins him as a deckhand and relief skipper.Always the adventure seeker, Keith recently ran with the bulls in Pamplona. He lives outside Seattle, Wash., with his wife and two children.

Capt. Sten Skaar
North American

Sten Skaar owns the North American with his family and serves as its captain. Sten’s brother John works on deck and is the boat’s engineer. The Skaar family has a strong history in commercial fishing, starting with Sten’s father Erling who was enticed into the business by Captain Sig Hansen’s father, Sverre Hansen. This sparked a friendly Norwegian rivalry that still exists today.The North American is a “green” fishing boat. Cutting-edge experimental maritime technology was designed by the Skaars to generate greater fuel efficiency and lower emissions. The engine system is called Gen-Tech, and uses hydraulics to power a backup engine. On trips between Dutch Harbor and Seattle, the hydraulic-driven generator can eliminate nearly 12 tons of carbon emissions.When he is not fishing, Sten follows the pursuits that his hard work affords him — golf, soccer and travel.

 Capt. Rick Fehst
Early Dawn

This is Rick’s first season as captain for the lucrative Early Dawn. As a young man he decided to become a crab fisherman, and after serving only three years as a greenhorn, was given his first opportunity to skipper a vessel. Ever since then he has worked hard on numerous boats as both deckhand and captain. Three years ago he joined the crew of the Early Dawn, and at 43 years of age he is proud to be at the helm.Captain Rick Fehst loves his job! In his 25 years in the Bering Sea, Rick has only missed one crab season due to injury. Fishing is his passion and he hopes to do it until the age of 60. It is rare for him to fish any less than eight months out of every year, catching red king, golden king and opilio crab.Rick has been married for 15 years and has two children. While rarely at home in Edmonds, Wash., he enjoys working on his house and in the garden during his shore leave.

Discovery’s “Deadliest Catch” wiki is alive and running!

The newest feature on the Discovery website for “Deadliest Catch” fans is the “Deadliest Catch” wiki.  To date it’s probably the most entertaining feature for diehard fans of the show as it’s completely interactive and allows members to add images, text, and art to its multitudes of pages!  But are you wondering what a wiki is by any chance?

According to wikipedia–which by the way is a massive wiki in of itself–wiki wiki is a Hawaiian word that means “fast”.  Supposedly the developer of wiki was at a Hawaiian airport in 1995 and was directed by an employee there to take the wiki wiki bus to get to his destination.  The name stuck. 

The official definition is:

A wiki is software that allows users to easily create, edit, and link pages together

Imagine putting together Myspace and wikipedia, except the only topic of discussion on all of the pages is “Deadliest Catch”… Discovery’s done it:

Welcome to the Deadliest Catch Fan Wiki! This site is for the fans by the fans. That’s right — everyone can help build the ultimate fansite for the Discovery Channel’s electrifying reality series, Deadliest Catch.

Whatcha’ waitin’ for? Get those survival suits on and take these urgent orders from Capt. Sig, “Shut up and…wiki!!”

The “Deadliest Catch” wiki went live at the end of last week and already has 400 plus members!  Once you sign up, you fill out your profile much like Myspace but again, all questions you respond to are “Deadliest Catch” oriented.  But there’s so much more. 

 Each “Deadliest Catch” skipper, each “Deadliest Catch” fishing vessel, and each “Deadliest Catch” episode has it’s own page or profile and guess who enters information and images on those pages?  you do!  It’s a community completely built up by fans!

Oh and theres a sweepstakes you can enter to actually meet some of the “Deadliest Catch” skippers too.  But you have to join first!  Winners get to attend the “Deadliest Catch” VIP parties with some of their favorite fishermen!

ABOUT THE DEADLIEST CATCH VIP PARTIES
The Deadliest Catch captains are going on the road to celebrate season 4 of Deadliest Catch. If you live in or near Philadelphia or Seattle, you can join them for crab legs and a beer. You’ll be among the first to preview new episodes and receive a copy of the new book Deadliest Catch: Desperate Hours. Don’t miss your chance to be a Deadliest Catch Superfan and VIP! Parties will be held on the following dates:

Philadelphia: April 22nd
Seattle: May 6th

Still wondering what it’s like?  Some fans have already been working hard at logging information on the “Deadliest Catch” wiki.  Check out a few–The Cornelia Marie, John Hillstrand, Sig Hansen. Those profiles were mostly blank to begin with and now thanks to fans, there’s some pretty good reading there! 

Head over there and give it a shot!  If you need a wiki-friend or just want to say hello, this is my page,  give me a holler!  you may want to brush up on your favorite quotes and most memorable “Deadliest Catch” moments first…..