In Search of Wicked Tuna

Our son Timmy

When at home in Washington, I hate to admit, we can sit in our living room for hours and watch reality shows that have nothing to do with our real lives. Since my life is totally man-scaped some of the main programs are Alaskan Bush People, Deadliest Catch, Gold Rush, Baring Strait Gold, and last but certainly not least Wicked Tuna. Our oldest son Tim is an avid fisherman and has even captained his own guide service for Pacific salmon and steelhead fishing groups.

Talking to him during the week he wanted us to go to Gloucester, MA and see if we could get a picture of one of the Wicked Tuna boats. We were totally game since we wanted to explore that area anyway we planned it in our return course to New Jersey.

There are days your expectations are sub-optimistic. Throughout the fall we kept running into "Closed for the season" see you in the spring. We did some research and found out that the Wicked Tuna boats moor at Cape Ann Marina. So, with the process we have become adept at, we punched Cape Ann Marina into our Google Maps. Somewhat off the closest path to the NJ Farm, we set off to find Gloucester. "Gl ow stir" was how Bob kept saying it, of course, I kept retorting, "It's Glawster, like Foster!"

As we found the Cape Ann marina we saw a sign "Fresh Lobster Rolls today only $12.99" If you have had them before that is an amazing price, and it was the marina restaurant advertising the special. As we turned in we saw hundreds of boats up in bubble wrap so we thought we could at least get Lobster Rolls and assumed that the Wicked Tuna boats would be put away for the season.

We went in verifying that there were really Lobster Rolls at that price. We were given a seat facing the boats that were out in the marina and enjoyed a cup of soup, mine lobster bisque, Bob, clam chowder and great lobster rolls. We tried the hot lobster rolls with the butter since we had not had that kind.

Our waitress was a hoot, she announced to us, with a custom bookmark that she was a Marilyn Monroe imitator and made her living doing that. She sang a version of "Happy Birthday Mr. President" to the Admiral on video for us. Bob said he thought Admiral Irv was aroused. Again, my life with men.

                             

 

We had a lovely time, bought T-shirts in the lobby and went to head off. The waitress said that the Wicked Tuna boats usually moor right around the corner in the back part of the marina. I took the Admiral back to the rig (he said he had to go to the bathroom). Bob on a whim went around the building to the back of the marina and got a big surprise. Two "Wicked Tuna" boats and a captain.

    

Bob and Paul Hebert of Wicked Tuna

 Wicked Tuna captain Paul Hebert was on his boat cleaning it up. Bob, very politely asked if it was okay that he get a picture of the boat for his son. He was more than happy to oblige and then invited Bob on board so that they could have a selfie together. It was a Bob moment we missed because we were in the RV.

Such a fun experience and Bob was happy to find out how kind and inviting Captain Paul was. He has kind of a brash personality on the show sometimes. Lesson learned. There's nothing that shows the truth more than meeting the real thing!

We had another assignment from our great host Dunner to go see the Fishing Captain statue at the front of Glocester harbor situated right on the boardwalk there.

Bob got out and took pictures and while doing so started talking to the locals. He met the couple who owns the house right behind the statue. The guy was a retired police officer and his wife was so sweet. We also found out that Dunner's brother helps run the city.  You would have to know Dunner (his nickname) to realize that this man knows somebody everywhere and information about every place He could be a guidebook, and every place we went to was amazing.