Alcoholic fisherman in recovery

[JasonFisher]

Hmmm. You could YouTube it on a computer. Fish Tough

Ive had this idea for a couple of years. I bought the go pro last season, but never really did it because my boss was controlling. If i did make my idea into something I was making money with. He would want to claim it because its his boat.

My equipment, my idea, my time and effort.

As a free agent… I can do what I want.

We had a film crew go halibut fishing with us on his boat they were a happily married couple. Sterling went around and did cool things. One of their episodes was with us.

They made the series and presented to channels like Netflix, Amazon prime, discovery etc. And sold it to the highest bidder.

I asked them alot of questions. I was very intrigued. Ive had an interest in film making all my life.

Its going to air on discovery owned destination america soon.

I came up with the idea of doing it as an actual fisherman.

Sterling pretended to work in between getting sea sick. They were awesome people.

They had a fortune worth of equipment in their van but used a cellphone, gopros, and a 13thousand dollar canon film camera with with a 24 to 105mm canon series lens.

My canon 5d shoots fantastic film, and
I have that lens. They arrive Thursday.

They costs five months worth of drinking at 20 dollars a day.i have to stay sober for another 60 days to break even​:joy:

The prison ship is in the background.

[Lisa07]

This is awesome footage! The go pro worked out really well. I love following your journey (both sobriety and fishing).

[Meggers]

Dude, you really need to be documenting your life off the boat. Use this thread, your fishing footage and footage of the calmer, recovery side of your journey, make an AMAZING film about “An Alcoholic Fisherman in Recovery.” Boom!

I’ll take my 40% later.

[Just_Laura]

This is an awesome thread! You are living such an amazing sober life! The videos are so cool. I never really knew what it takes so fish can end up my dinner. I needed a distraction from my current issue and reading all this did just that. It not only distracted me, but inspired me to keep pushing so I can go live my life. Thank you for that. I’m so glad you’re doing so well with your sobriety this time around. I too have had many failed attempts in the past but so far this time is sticking, no matter what bull​:poop: gets thrown my way. Getting my 90 day chip next Tuesday. Longest I’ve gone since I was pregnant 6 years ago. Well, keep us updated. I’ll continue to follow your fascinating journey. You’re doing amazing

[JasonFisher]

Congrats on 90 thats awesome. Yesterday was 90 days for me.

[JasonFisher]

A little night time footage.

[Muffin1226]

I love following this post!!!

[Here.I.am]

@Meggers Whole heartedly agreed. It’s a great story … @JasonFisher very inspiring. And interesting.

[JasonFisher]

This week has been a grind. The weather has been pretty good. Ocean conditions have been really nice

We used the opportunity to move alot of gear. Moving gear is the most dangerous part of crabbing. A calm ocean makes it alot safer.

Most accidents occur with a boat load of gear.

A boat in Charleston had a load of gear on ready to take out and set for the opener. The tide was low, and it hit a sand bar inside the safety of the marina. It was calm water.

As he was trying to get unstuck the boat rolled over and was sunk. Not completely because the water wasnt deep enough. So that poor guys boat was sunk in front of the fueling dock blocking everyone from getting fuel.

Its a beautiful, sea worthy boat. The owner had it in drydock for a year before the accident and put alot of money into it getting her into mint condition only to make an error and waste all that money and have it put back in dry dock. Its going to cost a fortune to get her back on the water.

Nobody was harmed. The crew had to swim fifteen feet to safety. There were alot of people around to help them.

My new captain continues to impress me. I feel safe on this boat. We dont take any unnecessary risks.

We caught most of the crab in the areas we were fishing. Its normal this far into the season.

Moving gear doesnt mean your going to find better grounds. If you dont find better grounds you do all that hard work for nothing. We get paid by percentage of the catch. No crab, no money.

We found some good grounds and are catching the biggest crab i have ever seen. We are stll making money. Its been a really good season.

My skipper has stayed clean and sober.

We have alot in common. Hes a wreckless drunk too when he drinks. We’ve drank together in the past.

Last year his crew bailed on him ten days into the season for being a wreckless drunk. I was concerned about this year. So far, so good.

We are both sober and on our A game. Its been awesome!

I get today off to rest. We are all exhausted. Sometimes the only way to get a day off is to wear the skipper out. Mission accomplished!

I have some boat chores. Minimal. We will load up bait for tomorrow.

Once again i got a friday night and a Saturday off and i have had zero desire to drink.

My orders have been arriving. My camera is here. Carving tools are here. Oil paints are here.

I have blown many crab checks drinking. Literally, pissed it away.

I have something to show this year. That feels awesome!

95 days since my final relapse!

[Leveller]

Great reading again Jason. Keep at it. I’m pleased your skipper is staying dry as well as you, that can only be good for the boat.

[Abacus]

Jason Since you get paid by the amount of crap you catch, is there ever a disagreement about where to go to find the crab? Sounds like there might be some seasoned people like yourself who might know better than the skipper in some cases?

[JasonFisher]

My previous emloyer missed the crab on opening set this year. He has 20 years experience. Hes a really good fisherman.

He didnt do his homework. You sport fish for crab. You poke around and see whats out there. Its legal. At the end of the sportfishing research. You have a pretty good idea of where to focus on and a crab feast.

We also tested our new grounds before we made the move. For a short soak we caught alot. Tomorrow should be really good.

Luck favors the prepared.

I have crabbed on the wrong boat a couple of times. Not making money crabbing isnt fun.

This skipper likes my input. Some dont. Last one ran his way or the highway.

[Here.I.am]

Glad you get some time to relax. Awesome that you have someone going the sober journey with you. I imagine that helps both of you. Enjoy your 2 days off.

[JasonFisher]

We ran all of our gear yesterday. We are still catching pretty good.

We have moved all of our gear to shallow water. Its fast paced. We run a string and barely have time to prepare for the next string then we run it.

We are letting it soak for a day. We will run it again tomorrow.

I had zero desire to drink last night when we got onshore. Several of my buddies from other boats were drinking beer. They invited me over and I declined. It was no big deal.

I was excited to get home and check out my gro pro footage for the day. I made it about 20 minutes and fell asleep.

Ive been bringing my camera on the boat but have had almost no time to use it.

I have been able to get alot of gopro footage however. Thats been fun. I bought another go pro. So I have two now. I also bought a bunch of mounts that I can place all over the boat.

I bought a drone with a camera mount. I need to learn how to use it. Im really excited to add arial footage to my film making tools. I probably wont get to that today.

I think I need to spend the day with my camera.

Im still learning how to work it all. Im having fun.

I got a 150 to 650 mm lens for my camera. I hope to go bird hunting today.

On the water it will be excellent for whales, porpoises, sea birds and other boats.

Im also excited to paint and carve. I need to quit my job!

Im not going to. Im commited to crab until april. Plus cod, and bottomfish will start soon.

After i quit the prison ship I decided I wanted to use commercial fishing to travel.

I want to go to alaska this summer and salmon fish then explore after the season ends. I’ve got a gig up there.

The boat im currently fishing has offered me a year round permanent position. Its tempting. I love the boat.

We would fish cod, halibut, salmon, tuna and bottomfish. I love those fisheries.

Except for cod. The prison ship ruined it for me. We fished some extreme weather. It sucked. Extremely dangerous! I had massive anxiety everytime we went cod fishing.

This boat doesnt fish extreme weather. Maybe I’ll like it again. Its safe on a calm day. Cod fishing can pay pretty good. If you get em.

I dont know what im going to do.

Ive got a couple months to figure it out.

99 days since my final relapse! Im feeling really good!

[Alfa07]

Good job Jason ! Tomorrow is 1 0 0 … woooow!

[Bubonicphoniks]

What did you get for a camera?

[thehungryswedeblog]

Hey Jason really enjoyed reading your story. We may live lives worlds apart but have so much in common all the same. Keep up the good work

[JasonFisher]

Canon 5d mark iv.
Ive wanted it for years. Im stoked!

[JasonFisher]

This is when I get pinched. 3 have got me this year

[Lisa07]

I was cracking up at that sucker hanging on your leg. He did not wanna let go.