Tendering season is in full swing! Usually things start picking up after the 4th of July. Especially in Bristol Bay. Sean and the crew of the Brenna A have been up to their fish tanks in salmon. It's been a slamming couple weeks of them, but things have tapered off, and soon they will be headed out of the Bay, and pointed towards Ketchikan. It will take them about a week to travel to Ketchikan so of course, this Crabby Mama is hoping for smooth sailing as the cross the Gulf of Alaska!

​SP and the Brenna A in Bristol Bay
​The Bristol Bay fishery is a gillnet fishery. The boats are smaller, usually two or three guys on a crew. The nets are reeled off a drum on the stern of the boat, and hand off the stern and soak for a certain amount of hours. Once the net is done soaking, it is reeled back on to the drum as the crew picks the salmon out of the nets. They are loaded into brailer bags. When the gillnetter comes to deliver to the Brenna A, those brailer bags are swung on to the Bren, and then loaded into the fish hold. On a typical delivery night, the Brenna A can have up to 30-40 boats delivering to them!

Once the boats deliver, Sean then runs the Brenna up the river to the processing plant in Naknek Alaska. The Brenna A is unloaded by the processing crew at the plant. When her tanks are empty, Sean runs the boat back down to the fishing grounds and it starts all over again. When the fish hit in Bristol Bay, everyone is crazy busy. But, it's the cycle of the season and we are grateful for it.

Working with what you have!
​One of the things that our boats try to do, is always have some goodies on hand when boats come to deliver, or to hand out to the offloading crew when we are in town to deliver.

​Bri, Sean's girlfriend who is a deckhand/cook/baker on the Brenna A has been baking up a storm in Bristol Bay. So much so, that the hand mixer burnt out. So, in true "figure out a way to make it work," she took one of the beaters, realized it fit in to a cordless drill, and is able to continue to churn out, or should I say drill out, cookies, brownies, and cakes for the fishermen and crew!

Next up, Southeast Alaska on the Jennifer A!
While Sean and crew are working away in Bristol Bay, his sister Brenna is on the Jennifer A, working away in Southeast Alaska. Like Bristol Bay, the fishery in Southeast is starting to pick up, but typically gets more busy towards the end of July, beginning of August. Then, it's crazy time in Southeast, where you are working, unloading boats, running back and forth to Ketchikan to unload fish, and trying to sleep when you can!

​The type of fishery that the Jennifer A tenders for is called a Seine fishery. Brenna did a really good job summarizing what the fishery is like, on our FB pages. You can read that here.

Unloading the Jennifer A in Ketchikan
I was in Ketchikan a couple weeks ago and was able to get some video of the Jen unloading. The fish, these are chum salmon, also called dogs, are vacuumed up through the pump. The eventually make their way up to the sorting station on the cannery dock. From there they are moved inside the processing plant. There they are cleaned and canned. Alaska has one of the best managed and sustainable salmon fisheries. We depend on that so future generations can continue to work the fishery and for many families, continue on with a traditional way of life.

Ketchikan at sunset
​For me, my story always takes me back to Ketchikan. For many different reasons, or none at all. Sometimes I just want to go sit in the living room chair and watch the boats go by. It doesn't matter if the day is sunny or rainy, the view is always healing.

​I''ll be headed back home soon, and it will be great to have both boats, both kids, both crews in Ketchikan too. It will be a good August.

Since Sean, the FV Brenna A and crew made their debut on Discovery's "Deadliest Catch," we have had some amazing things happen for ALS Awareness. Yes, this post I'm going to talk about ALS, ALS Awareness, ALS Therapy Development Institute (ALS TDI) and the unique ways that we have been able to raise money for this horrible horrible disease, thanks to Discovery Channel.

It's been four years since Pat decided he was done living with his ALS. When we were all saying our goodbyes to him, one thing that Sean said to him was, "I'll be watching for the challenges you throw at me Dad." Pat and I knew that Sean, and Brenna, would be able to handle what came their way because of Pat's wisdom and skills that he passed on to them.
​
Signs
Little did we know that one of those challenges would be being approached by Original Productions (the production company that films Deadliest Catch for Discovery...thank you Decker, Lisa and all  for telling our story) to become the new boat on "Deadliest Catch." There were many times along the way that we saw Pat's hand in this. Side note, I'm a firm believer in "signs," you know, something happening that can only be attributed to that person you are missing. Or not even missing, something that pops up out of the blue and it can only be described as crazy!

Sign #1
Let me give you a couple of examples...I'm sure you all know about the 4, 14 connection and Pat. he was born April 14, 4-14. He passed away on June 4th at 4:14 pm. His good friend Melissa passed away from her ALS, at 4:14pm the next day. So, when we, our family, sees the number, 4, 14 or 414, we know that Pat is around somewhere.

When Sean and I went to the Emmys in September, after the award ceremony, there is a huge lovely dinner. Sean, Sig, June and a bunch of crew from Original Productions were standing around outside, getting ready to walk over to the dinner venue. Sean is handed our table seating assignment...guess what table we were seated at...Yep, table number 414. Sean and I looked at each other in disbelief, I texted Brenna a picture of the table number, and we were all just kinda in shock...but them we all started laughing and thought, "of course Pat is here, he loved a good party!" (I of course, was crying before I was laughing!)

Sign #2
​Then there is the other example. Brenna and the FV Jennifer A pulling into an anchor spot on their first salmon tendering trip of the season. They anchor in a secluded bay, and the other boat anchored in the same bay, the Lynda...the boat Pat and I met on way back in the day when we first started tendering together. Brenna sent me a picture of the Lynda and said, "look who is here!" Of course Pat would be there to say hello to his baby girl on the first opening of Brenna's first salmon tendering season in...4 years!

​It's those kinds of things that happen, and they make us smile. But again, I've gotten of track!

​Along the way, as we were making preparations to get the Brenna A ready to fish the Bairdi season, there were many signs that Pat was with us. While I say it was a challenge, I mean it in the sense that it was a huge consideration for us to get the Bren ready to go crabbing, so many pieces had to come together. They did, and here we are today. I'll tell you more about the signs later if you want to hear them, but...in the end, this "challenge" came in the form of a huge gift. Thanks Discovery.

Discovery Opportunities
​Back to the reason my blog post is titled, "Thanks Discovery." It is because without this opportunity, we would not have had the chance to raise ALS awareness on this international level, and the amazing fundraising opportunities that have happened because of our being on the show, well, it's been humbling. 

​Plus, we have received emails from other families that are living with ALS or have lived with it. Those emails are heartwarming and heartbreaking at the same time. But, motivating as well. Motivating as it keeps us trying to find a treatment for this disease. Also because of the show, people have volunteered to help us raise money for research and the potential treatment in the freezer at ALS TDI. (More on that at the end of the blog post!)

​Florida!
​When the show first aired, Sean received an email from Florida. It was from our now friend Leslie, who owned an online clothing boutique. She was moved by our story and wanted to sell a "Brenna A" dress and donate profits to ALS research at TDI. Leslie and Brenna chose a dress, the "Brenna A" dress went on sale, online and sold out within the day. We were all floored! The amazing thing, Leslie and her family have no connection to ALS...they just wanted to help in some way. Thanks Leslie.

Woodinville, WA!
​Then there is our friend Rich, who like Leslie, has no connection to ALS, other than wanting to help. Rich was introduced to ALS by his friend Mike, Mike's mom passed away from ALS. Rich brews the Brenna A beer for us. For every pint sold, $1.00 goes back to ALS research. Rich has participated in the ALES for ALS program, which is nationwide. The ALES for ALS program is a summer fundraiser, but because of Rich at Triplehorn Brewing, the Brenna A beer is available year round, and will be raising money for ALS TDI. Thanks Rich.

Fremont, WA
​​Then, there are our friends Mike and Patti of Fremont Mischief Distilery. When Pat and I first started out in the fishing industry, we did all of our out-of-the water shipyard work at the yard Mike owned. Mike and Pat were friends, and he and Patti reached out to us after seeing Sean's story on the Discovery Channel.  Mike and Patti are true and genuine charity supporters. They asked us to participate in their Captains, Casks, and Cocktails Fundraiser. This fundraiser is done along with some of the other Deadliest Catch Captains, (Sig, Keith, Casey and Josh) and with the kick off event, we were able to raise over $5000 in one day for ALS TDI. This event ongoing and we will keep you posted!

Alaska!
​Then, there is the restaurant in Ketchikan Alaska, my hometown.  Last summer, a friend of mine, Doug, from high school called me up and said he had a business proposition for me. We met for lunch and over the course of the conversation, Doug said they wanted to rebrand the restaurant. They wanted to name it  "Dwyer's Crab and Fish Company" restaurant. He wanted to help tell the ALS story through Sean and the Deadliest Catch, give the restaurant a local feel and help raise funds for ALS research. For being able to tell our story, and use our name, we receive a portion of the profits with are donated back to ALS research as ALS TDI. Through the restaurant Doug is also raising more funds. Again, while Doug doesn't have any disease connection to ALS, he lost a friend to ALS, and both Doug and I have other mutual Ketchikan friends who have lived with ALS, or are living with it now.

​This really is a huge and incredible opportunity to raise awareness and funds for ALS. There will be 1 million people through Ketchikan this cruise season. Dwyer's Crab and Fish Company Restaurant is featured in the coupon book on board the Cruise boats, so ALS awareness starts then. Dwyer's is located right on the dock where the boats tie up...it's an orange building it's easy to see! So, if you are going on an Alaska Cruise, that stops in Ketchikan and are looking for a local restaurant to have lunch or dinner at, head to Dwyer's. Not only can you order King Crab, but you will be helping to support a cause that is so important to Sean, Brenna and me, and Doug and many people in Ketchikan, and around the world. Thanks Doug.

Why we do it
Really, I can not put into words how humbling this all. Especially when I receive a story like this from Doug in Ketchikan:
​   " Another cool story. A group of 8 came in yesterday. One of the fellows in the group had the early stages of ALS. They said they had heard of the restaurant and wanted to come. They bought 8 shirts and 3 sweaters. They also each made a $10 donation to ALS for a total of $80. They knew about the place you work with, ALS TDI. Alaska was on the guy's bucket list and he wanted to do it before he progressed. Cool group."

Not enough ways to say thank you
​So. Back to the title of the blog, "Thanks Discovery." I just really want to say "Thanks Discovery!" Not only by your monetary donation, but by including Sean and the FV Brenna A on "Deadliest Catch" you are making a huge difference in the ALS world. By letting us tell our ALS story, you are inspiring others, to help us raise awareness, raise money and that will help us find a treatment for ALS.

I have always said "you don't do ALS alone," and "once you meet ALS, it never leaves you." Just as there are not enough ways to say thank you, there are not enough words either. I will end this blog with a simple thank you. But I hope you know that simple thank you comes with the largest and immense gratitude of those of us in the ALS community.

Discovery, you have already helped to change the course of this disease, ALS. Simply put, but heart felt around the world, thank you.

How can you help? Want more info about ALS?
​​ALS is a disease that affects the nerves/motor neurons in the body. The person living with ALS eventually becomes paralyzed. They lose their ability to speak and breathe on their own, while their mind remains as sharp as ever. Most people diagnosed with the disease live 2-5 years. Click here for a more detailed description.

​I serve on the Board of Directors for ALS Therapy Development Institute. They are the world's largest non-profit biotech research lab, focusing on only ALS research. They have 30 scientists on staff, working around the clock to help #endALS

ALS TDI has a treatment sitting in their freezer but we are trying to raise funds to bring that treatment to clinical trial.

AT-1501, in preclinical trials, this potential treatment is the most effective treatment tested at ALS TDI, according to Dr. Steve Perrin, Ph.D, CEO, CSO at ALS TDI.

​I've seen the drug. It's real and it ready. With your help, we can move this drug from the freezer to clinical trial. If you can help with a donation, click here. Thanks so much.

​And again, a huge heart felt thanks to Discovery Channel for giving us this opportunity.