Why the Title, Highliners and Homecomings?
I chose the name because to me, both words represent the best and most significant elements of the commercial fishing lifestyle.
The traditional and purest definition of the word Highliner—the one we in the industry are most familiar with—is the same as the one written on the back of William McCloskey’s novel, Highliners—The Classic Novel About the Commercial Fishermen of Alaska.
It reads, “Highliners is the commercial fishermen’s term for their own elite, the skippers and crews who bring in the biggest hauls.”
For the purpose of this blog, I have expanded the definition, similar to the way National Fisherman magazine did in the December 2001 Fish Expo issue, in which they recognized the commitment, action, and results of three fishermen in the industry.
“Being a Highliner is as much about who you are as it is what you do,” the lead-in to the article reads.
It’s my feeling that any fisherman who goes out to sea on a clean, safe, and drug-free boat, who takes pride in his operation and maintains a solid crew, is a Highliner. The captains and crews that steam proudly out to sea, dump their pots or set their nets, and return to the harbor and their families day after day, month after month, season after season, year after year, are all Highliners to me.
I’d expand the definition even further by applying the term to those of us who support our fishermen and our commercial fishing lifestyle from shore. If I wore a hat, I would tip it to the family members (Mom—this means you) who maintain a clean, loving, and safe home for the children they care for alone during the seasons, who hope and pray for their loved ones at sea, and who simply do their best to keep plugging along until the anticipated Homecoming—we too are Highliners.
As for my selection of the term Homecoming, what is there to explain?
We all know how exciting that day is—the day your boyfriend flies in to SeaTac from Dutch Harbor after months at sea, and you stand waiting for him in the seating area of the airport. You watch as he steps into the corridor, smiling to yourself at the way his eyes scan the room, searching for you. Maybe he will have had a fresh haircut at the Anchorage airport on the layover between flights, or maybe he will be in need of a shave and a shower—rugged, the way you prefer.
Or how about the way you, as a 10-year-old, struggle to get through a day of 5th grade in the early 1980s because you know that when you arrive home from school that day, Daddy and his boat will be back from Alaska, and there will be laughter and popcorn to enjoy that night?
A successful Homecoming—the most blessed part of the commercial fishing life and the one you pray for. The one you never take for granted. You know well that there are so many families who do not have a homecoming to anticipate. Families who cry instead of celebrate, because their fishermen won’t be coming home from the Bering Sea or the waters of Southeast Alaska.
I chose the title Highliners and Homecomings for my blog as a tribute to all of us who manage to live within the commercial fishing way of life with strength and joy.
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What a beautiful explanation! I can’t wait to read up on the adventures of your fishing family:-)
Hi Jenn,
Twas nice to meet you, Eva and Vincent at the playground a couple of weeks ago. I have enjoyed reading your blog! As a newbie to the commercial fishing family lifestyle, (I’ve been married to a 4th generation SE Alaskan troller for going on 6 years now) I have to admire your positive attitude. It has taken me quite some time to accept the reality of life as a fisherman’s wife and with 2 little ones.
Your blog gives me a fresh perspective on the kind of perserverence it takes to deal with the comings, goings and preoccupation with boat work and life at sea so loved and taken up by our husbands and family members. Its nice to know that there is someone else out there going through a similar situation and to see how positive you can be through it all.
Thanks for sharing your stories so openly. I enjoy having met you!
Julie
Sitka, AK
Julie, thank you for this wonderful comment. What a nice surprise to hear from you! It was such a crazy coincidence meeting you and your fishing family at the playground.
(Before I forget, I wanted to mention that in the header picture on this blog, the guy standing on top of the shack is our mutual friend, Doug!).
I have to admit that sometimes I have to force (or even fake) a positive attitude. I just try to press forward as best I can with confidence that things will all turn out okay, no matter how they seem at the time.
It might be fun for you to start a blog if you are at all interested. Reading comments and keeping track of viewing statistics, not to mention the writing itself, all help when the seasons get long.
Thanks again for taking the time to write. Is your husband out catching the winter kings now? Stay in touch!
Hi Jen,
We are in the midst of full on trolling season now! I’ve seen Karl for a total of 2 days in a row in the last 34 days. It seems as though we are just at the mid point now. Still so much fishing to do and so much time at what I tend to call “single parenting”. Maybe a better term would be “solo real time parenting”. An old fisherman once summed it up beautifully for me: “You have independence without freedom” he said.
But on the other hand, we are beginning to chip away at our bills and so progress is being made in that regard. And I love the way Karl looks when he does come off the boat, all salty and tanned. Life IS good here.
Thanks for the tip on writing through the season. I think that is a great idea! In fact, I have periodically thought that it would be so nice to have some kind of an online community set up just for fisherman’s wives. It could include gals from all over the country or even all over the world! It would be so wonderful to have a place to go to connect with other people who are going through a similar situation It could be with tips for parenting without your husband there and on adjusting to having the sailor leave at the beginning and come home at the end of the seasons. Since the fishing lifestyle is so unique, I find that it is often hard for those outside of it’s culture to truly understand. We need a community gathering place for fisherman’s wives! I however, am not so computer savy, so it may just be quite some time before I lauch anything of the sort. But I’ll keep daydreaming until it gnaws at my ear long enough to actually put something into action. Or until someone else does, whichever comes first.
Cheers to you and your fishing family!
Good Luck out there and at home!
Julie