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While certainly many fishermen and women come from a long line of fishing, some find their fishing mentors from outside the family. For his 10^th birthday, Josiah Rhys was taken out lobstering with local fisherman, Leroy Weed Sr. That first glimpse of commercial fishing had a lasting impression, and from that moment on, Josiah had his heart set on being a commercial fisherman. Josiah would go out with Dick Kent Jr. (featured in our previous ‘Fisherman Friday’ blog), as well as with his brother-in-law, Nathaniel Lane. By age 11, Josiah purchased his student license and would fish ‘double shifts,’ first with a captain on their boat, then on his own boat in the afternoon/evening.

Commercial fishing consists of so much more than the art of fishing, which is where Josiah has some serious familial support. Known locally as ‘Master Dave,’ Josiah’s father, David Rhys, is quite the machinist/mechanic over at Billings Diesel and Marine. Over the years, the two have rebuilt numerous boats and engines, “I basically owe my success as a fisherman to my dad” Josiah reflected. The two of them would go lobstering recreationally together, and once Josiah obtained his student license, David would join him and they’d both go out for a second shift of work to haul Josiah’s gear.

Beginning with F/V: Happy Crab, a 14’ skiff with a 6hp Johnson outboard, Josiah then moved into F/V: Red Furry, a 17’ skiff with a 50hp outboard. While at the shipyard one day, Josiah spotted an old 34’ wooden boat sitting quite close to the burn pile. Apparently, it was in line to burn, but hadn’t gotten sparked up yet. Instead, Josiah paid $1 and bought the retired F/V: Holly Beth, originally built in the 70s, and saved her from flames. David and Josiah worked relentlessly on this wooden boat, from steaming new ribs, to rebuilding hydraulic motors, basically every piece of this boat needing going over. Once ready, Josiah decided on the appropriate name F/V: Determination. Next came F/V: Predator, a 32’ Mitchel Cove, which needed less TLC, but was loved nonetheless!

All during this time, Josiah continued to go as sternman or third man for various captains, David Heanssler and Joel Bilings to name a couple. From age 11 through age 20, Josiah chose to work this ‘double shift,’ going out before dawn, coming in at afternoon, going out on his own boat, and fishing until sundown. “It kept me out of a lot of trouble.” Josiah admitted! Eventually, Josiah made the choice to fish his own gear fulltime. These days, Josiah can be seen on F/V: Miss Brooke. Named after his wife, this vessel is a 42’ Dixon, with Jason Larrabee on the stern for his second year onboard.
Josiah loves being his own boss, and enjoys seeing the weather change. Josiah especially loves fishing in rough weather, “I’ve got a little bit of crazy in my blood.” Years spent on the stern, fishing off-shore with Joel Billings on, F/V: My Diva may have influenced this joy. Fishing in rough weather gets a little wild from time to time, and while F/V: Miss Brooke is equipped with two spray shields, Josiah finds that the challenge of rough weather, and getting wet is part of the fun. “You really earn what you make out there” said Josiah, “you have to work hard, and work smart.” When not fishing off-shore, Josiah and crew can be seen fishing the East Bay, where relatives from his father’s side fished generations ago.

While out on the water, there is still room for some fun. Josiah and fellow fisherman, Jeff Thompson, have a friendly competition to see who spots the first floating tennis ball of the season, “you wouldn’t expect to ever see one, but every year, eventually someone does.” Another moment of hilarity happened while out during some fairly rough weather: the life raft got thrown loose and blew itself up and overboard. After managing to get it onboard and under control, the crew had a good laugh about it. Light-hearted moments like this, while out at sea, and the “thrill of the chase” is what motivates Josiah to fish as hard as possible. When asked about Josiah as a fisherman, Dick Kent Jr. quoted Peter Porter with, “Josiah has two speeds, ‘stop’ and ‘wide open.’” This sentiment is easily recognized by the years spent fishing ‘double shifts,’ and Josiah’s drive to fish year-round, even through rough weather. Beyond tennis balls and crazy weather, Josiah loves seeing basking sharks and sunfish while out on the water, “It’s beautiful out there” he said. He’s also hoping to find a bright, all-blue lobster some season soon! He really loves working on the water. If he was ever unable to go fishing for any reason, “I’d have to find a job out on the water doing something else” Josiah said.
Josiah and his wife, Brooke, enjoy eating lobster at home from time to time, in classic preparation—steamed, served with butter. Their daughter Natallie, who is 7 months old, even enjoys wearing a lobster outfit! Married for just over three years, Brooke is incredibly proud of her husband and involves herself in the local fishing community. She is also a member of Island Fishermen’s Wives Association. Overall, Josiah is thankful to his wife, Brooke, and parents, David and Valerie, for letting him work as hard as he wants.

When asked about the lobstering industry overall, Josiah responded, “it is an incredible industry to support,” when you choose to buy Maine lobster from a trustworthy source, “you are supporting thousands of independently employed, hardworking fishermen and women.” We couldn’t agree more. Thank you, Josiah, and your family, for all the hard work, and beautiful Maine lobsters. When you buy seafood from Greenhead Lobster, you know that you are supporting our local fishing community.

At age 11, Dick shelled out, spent $2 and purchased his commercial fishing license, the same license he uses today. He started fishing on a 12’ skiff with a 6hp outboard. By the time Dick was in high school, he was out, hauling his 125 wooden traps by hand, and loved it. During the 1960s, lobstering was not a very prosperous industry, and many fishermen were often looking for better opportunities. Regardless, Dick was drawn to the shore, and knew that he wanted to be a fisherman. Getting started as a fisherman is no easy task, but Dick had a little help from his father, as well as local Swans Island fisherman, Carlton Joyce. Interestingly enough, he was even given a good loan on traps from another lobster buyer across the bay, Curtis Heanssler of Heanssler Lobster.

This loan was paid off quickly, because Dick had eyes for Curtis’ daughter, Becky. In fact, this fall of 2017 marks 46 years of marriage! Dick feels fortunate to have lived on Swans and Deer Isle, where fishing and fishermen really are his community, “I live at the shore, you know, I don’t have other hobbies, it’s all the shore, fishing…” Dick admitted happily. He’s helped a number of younger fishermen log hours, and get their commercial fishing licenses. This sense of community is felt on and off the water, “young guys come by, and check on us in the winter” Dick reflected, “it’s a good community.”

These days, Dick can be seen on F/V: Copy Cat, a 38’ Holland, named so because his brother-in-law, Darryl Knowlton, has the very same boat. This year marks the third season with Robert Hutchinson on the stern. “He’s the nicest guy” said Dick, “we get along great.” After jumping on a bit last year, this will be the first full season with Daniel Kolyscher onboard as third man. Dick is really pleased with his crew, and loves being out on the water, “It’s always a surprise! You never know what you’re going to get.”

After fishing through 34 winters, Dick decided that was plenty, and the boat comes out by wintertime, “I enjoy the time off in the winter, I really do.” He used to go dragging for scallops and urchins, or pick crab when the lobster catch was really low, but these days he sticks solely to lobstering. When asked what is the craziest thing Dick has seen while out fishing, he reflected, “a house on the horizon—it was a home going across Jericho Bay from Lubec on a barge…”

Dick’s favorite way to eat Maine lobster— lobster rolls. When asked what does a ‘lobster roll’ mean to Dick, he replied, “Becky and I make ‘em straight,” meaning a toasted roll, a little mayo and a lot of lobster. When asked about Becky and her part in Dick’s career as a fisherman, he replied, “she does about everything. I worship the ground she walks on. 46 years this fall, she’s a good woman and I couldn’t have done it without her.”

Dick wanted to be sure that his sentiment for Greenhead Lobster was included, “I really do love selling to Greenhead Lobster, to be able to come in and have a whole crew on the dock greeting us, helping us out, with all the bait you need loaded right onto the boat, it’s so much better than it used to be.” This positive attitude is difficult to overlook! In fact, Dick was one of this year’s inductees into the Fishermen’s Hall of Fame last week! The Island Fishermen’s Wives Association say that a fisherman must meet the following criteria to be inducted, “has fished up through the ranks from outboard to present size boat. That person has always fished as their vocation, they didn’t take it up later in life. That person learned from someone else and passed that knowledge forward to the younger generation. They are always there to help others. He or she has helped retrieve boats, bodies and traps. They are not a bully and do not try to catch them all. If possible, they have served in some way to better the fishing industry. They have respected the ocean. He or she has time for questions that need answers. This person can tell a joke with a straight face, especially when pulling someone’s leg.” For all of these reasons and more, congratulations, Dick! Thank you and Becky for all you do!

A lot has changed over the years at Greenhead Lobster, but a handful of employees have remained constant. These employees have helped maintain company values as the business has shifted and grown. Expect more Employee Shout-Outs on our blog over time. Ringing in at 18 years of Greenhead Lobster employment, we have Pam Wendell and Dwayne Eaton.

Hired in May of 1998, Dwayne has taken some time away from Greenhead for other work: lobstering, landscaping, or working the lifts up at Sunday River, but alas, he returned to Greenhead Lobster. He enjoys the work because it keeps him busy enough, and holds his attention. While certainly the job can be repetitive, each day brings something different. Getting to handle some of the most beautiful live Maine lobsters isn’t a bad perk of the job either!

Dwayne has made his way South for numerous international trips. He especially loves visiting Patagonia where he loves to hike, soak up the mountain air and take photographs. Photography has become incorporated into Dwaynes job at Greenhead Lobster as well. Many of our beautiful photos on the website and on social media are thanks to Dwayne! When he was hired, he would fix wooden crates, or do whatever really needed to be done. Many aspects of his job have changed over the years, but one colleague has remained consistent over time.

Pam began working at Greenhead Lobster in June of 1999, and has been with the company ever since. Like Dwayne, when Hugh Reynolds hired her, she really did any task that needed doing: wooden crate repair, baiting up boats, buying from boats, grading lobsters, as well as various office work. According to Dwayne, “Pam’s awesome. And she’s the best hoist operator.” When she’s not at Greenhead, Pam enjoys gardening, spending time with her family, camping and visiting in-laws in Georgia.

Before Pam worked for Greenhead, she fished for her grandfather, and they were among the first boats to sell to Hugh when he was getting started back in 1997. She never expected to work at Greenhead this long, but she has loved to see the business grow, and has been integral in its success. “Hugh’s been a good person to work for” Pam reflected.

Greenhead is lucky to have such dedicated employees. A big thank you to Pam and Dwayne for 18 years with Greenhead Lobster! Your years of employment have helped grow this business, and get Stonington and our beautiful Maine lobsters on the map. Thank you!