EDITOR’S NOTE: West Seattle writer Jen Boyer covered “Deadliest Catch” stars and fans at the “CatchCon” annual gathering last year, and we published her work as a WSB Extra. This year, after part of the cast kicked off their promo tour with that recent Alki Tavern stop, Jen cast off to the big event again, and netted an interesting ride home.

Story and photos by Jen Boyer
Reporting for West Seattle Blog

For the third year in a row, die-hard “Deadliest Catch” fans descended on Seattle’s Pier 66 for CatchCon on Saturday. Discovery Channel’s convention for its crab-fishing reality show greeted a record 2,037 fans to mix, mingle, rub elbows with the fishing crews, and get a taste of crab-fishing tasks.

Much like last year, the event included a captains’ panel, deckhands’ panel (titled “The Crew Strikes Back”), a sneak peek at the coming season, autograph sessions, tours of the Northwestern and Wizard crab boats, crab fishing skill challenges, and a few surprises.

During the captain’s panel, fans were introduced to the two new captains for season seven, Elliott Neese of the Ramblin’ Rose and Scott Campbell Jr. of the Seabrook, both young first-time captains who promise to provide a fascinating dynamic against the seasoned veteran captains of the Northwestern, Time Bandit, Wizard, Cornelia Marie and Kodiak.

However, it was during the deckhand panel that fans got a glimpse of that dynamic. A fan asked about rumors she’d heard that new captain Neese suggested he was better than the salty veterans. Time Bandit deckhand Travis Lofland (photo below; formerly a deckhand on the Wizard) fired back.

“There are captains that are commanding and captains that are demanding. If you’re commanding, I’ll follow you and work my ass off. But if you’re demanding, I’m gone. I’d follow any of the men in this front row,” he said pointing to the seasoned captains seated in the audience.

“I agree. I’d trust my two captains with my life, but I’d never trust you,” Mike Fourtner of the Time Bandit added as he pointed to Elliott, giving fans a taste of the rivalry they’ll see this season.

To keep things interesting, Discovery threw in a few surprises. Just after the captains’ panel, the throaty rumble of a custom motorcycle rattled the walls. When the cargo door opened, Paul Teutul Sr. of “Orange County Choppers” rode in on a custom bike designed especially for the show.

The bike was a piece of Discovery’s cross-promotion for the two shows this season. It will make an appearance on a future “Deadliest Catch” episode and Paul Sr.’s fishing expedition on the Time Bandit will be featured in a future “Orange County Choppers” episode.

Anticipation for Season Seven

Throughout the day we were treated to teasers and tidbits for the coming season, which starts this Tuesday (April 12).

“You’re going to see lots of blood,” said Andy Hillstrand of the Time Bandit. “It was a really rough season, easily our toughest. There were a lot of injuries because of the terrible weather and 100-foot waves.”

On the Northwestern (above and below photos), the youngest Hansen brother, Edgar, took the Opilio season off, forcing older brother Captain Sig to bring on a new, but experienced deckhand and give the youngest crew member, Jake Anderson, the increased responsibilities he’s been itching to embrace.

“I’m proud of Jake, he really stepped up,” the oldest Hansen said. “It was a rough season all around, but it made us all work smarter. We had to use strategy, which you really enjoy when you use your brain. It’s satisfying to see that work, rather than just being lucky.”

On the Cornelia Marie, the Harris brothers went through several captains as the two boys themselves worked better together than ever. “Jake and I got along really well, surprisingly,” Josh Harris (oldest son of the late Phil Harris) told WSB. “We had a lot of challenges, trying to find a new stride and captain after losing Dad. It’s hard coming back. But we got through that first year. The school of hard knocks is a tough road, but we’re making it.”

Captain Bill Wichrowski and the crew of the Kodiak had a better season than last year, which was Wichrowski’s first on the show. “I really am a nice guy, but they portrayed me as so mean last year that I found myself keeping my temper in check this time around. I hope we’ll be portrayed a little better this season, but we’ll see.”

Captain Keith Colburn and the Wizard struggled hard with three greenhorns. “Last year I couldn’t make a mistake and this year I couldn’t catch a crab. This really was one of the years I want to forget.”

Long Way Home

As the doors closed on another CatchCon, WSB was offered an exclusive opportunity to travel back through the Ballard Locks on the Northwestern to the boat’s shipyard.

The fishing vessel was loaded with special guests from Make a Wish and the Ronald McDonald House, two charities the Hansen brothers often support by provide items such as boat rides, crab BBQs and fishing trips for auction.

“I had fun today. I think it went really well and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves. The show is going to keep going for a few more seasons so I look forward to doing this again next year,” Sig said.