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Joy Fishing

April 15, 2011 / Daniel Stewart / Fish Tugs, Fishermen and Families, Galleries
1

If you’ve visited Fishtown, you’ve almost certainly seen Fishtown’s fish tug Joy at the dock. If you’ve ever wondered if the Joy is still actively fishing, the answer is yes!

But what what actually happens aboard the Joy when she’s out fishing in Lake Michigan?

To answer this question, photographer Meggen Watt spent a day last April aboard the Joy, captained that day by Jerry Vanlandschoot of Munising and crewed by Adam Kilway. Read her account of the day here, and enjoy this gallery of her photos. Find more information about Meggen here.

A trap net, using leads of 1,000 feet, "herds" fish into the central "pot," where they wait, alive.
Jerry Vanlandschoot maneuvers the Joy out of the Leland River. Because of narrow spaces, the Joy must move backwards.
Cabin of the Joy.
Fishing gear, packed tightly.
Marker buoy of the first net to be lifted.

The Joy is flat in back because, rather than moving the net, the tug is actually maneuvered beneath part of the net.
Jerry explaining the span of the net.
Preparing to use the winch to pull the Joy beneath part of the net.
You must remain aware of the many ropes when lifting.
The "pot" has come into view, teeming with whitefish.

The pot.
Fish are scooped from the pot by hand, using these long-handled nets.
Fish must be sorted. Only whitefish of a certain length can be kept. Smaller fish (and other species) are returned to the lake.
Some of the catch are stored below decks, covered in ice.
Each fish is moved several times, from lift to measuring and eventually to dockside.

Lifting
A good day fishing.
One reason it's called "lifting" the nets.
Washing the nets before returning them to the water.
Making quick repairs. More extensive repairs will take place on land, after the nets are periodically removed.

Returning the buoy to the water. All commercial fishing nets are marked.
Lifting the second net of the day.
A closer examination.
The look of an experienced fisherman.
Gulls always accompany fishing boats.

Returning to port after the fifth net lift.
Almost done for the day.
Just outside the harbor.
The Joy will lift up to 9 nets in a day.
For the day: 14 boxes - over 1,000 pounds of whitefish.

Meggen Watt

trap net, whitefish

One comment on “Joy Fishing”

  1. Carol Swinehart says:
    July 8, 2011 at 11:08 am

    Who’s fishing the boats this year–2011?

    Reply

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