Catching up with Seattle's own Capt. Sig Hansen
SEATTLE -- Millions of fans are hooked on the Discovery Channel's hit show "Deadliest Catch," and this season is sure to be another exciting ride.
And in the middle of it once again is Seattle's own Sig Hansen, who just might be the world's favorite crab fisherman.
Thanks to the hit cable show, Hansen has been riding a growing wave of popularity for the past five years. It's been a wild ride that likely won't end any time soon.
Hansen and his crew of the Northwestern have recently returned to Seattle after another perilous season of fishing in the Bering Sea.
I caught up with the captain in Ballard where he's getting the Northwestern ready to head back to Alaska for salmon fishing this summer. So, cap'n, I asked, how'd it go?
"Our King crab season went very well. It was hard to find the crab at first. The weather cooperated somewhat. When it got into the Opilio (crab) season in the winter, that's when it hit the fan," Hansen said.
Hansen and his crew's every move at sea was documented for the TV show, which premiered its fifth season on April 14. But as we know, this ain't his first rodeo.
"We're used to the cameras. Let's face it. We're not afraid of 'em like we were five years ago," he said.
The cameras were rolling when the crab season officially began aboard the Northwestern with a tradition -- biting off a herring's head. The crew members drew straws to see who would do the honors.
"It was weird. We got out there, ready to go, then the guys want to draw straws. They looked up at me, like, 'Hey, come on.' They challenged me," said Hansen. "I figured if I go first, I have six chances to not get it. Then when I drew the short straw, it was just funny. So, I don't know. (Maybe it was) meant to be because it's been a long time since I bit the head off one."
Some TV shows struggle to last a season, but "Deadliest Catch" is sailing along in its fifth year.
"It was like over four and a half million viewers, so more than last year. So it does keep climbing," Hansen said. "I never took interest in it before, and now we're gathering information like that. It's amazing, you know? Maybe it's like one of those domino effects where a guy tells a buddy and so on. It just keeps getting better."
The show has led to stardom for Hansen and his brothers. There has been talk show appearances and all sorts of business opportunities.
"You know, it's going to end someday. And it is what it is, but you've got to try and stay a little grounded. But when it's all said and done, we'll still be here," said Hansen.
Before he goes back to only being a fisherman, Hansen is trying to leave a lasting impact with his new charity -- The Fisherman's Fund.
"It's basically intended for families that have lost their loved one at sea, and if they're in need, then hopefully there will be money to help them get through for a while," he said. "Let's face it. Any type of fishery is dangerous. You're out there in the elements. There are funds like it, but this one is specific to those lost at sea."
Fans of the show will have a chance to meet Capt. Sig Hansen and his crew in person this weekend.
The Discovery Channel is hosting its first-ever "deadliest Catch" fan convention, Catch Con, in downtown Seattle.
The event, which will be held from noon to 6 p.m., is already sold out. Anyone who hasn't already registered will be put on a waiting list.
And in the middle of it once again is Seattle's own Sig Hansen, who just might be the world's favorite crab fisherman.
Thanks to the hit cable show, Hansen has been riding a growing wave of popularity for the past five years. It's been a wild ride that likely won't end any time soon.
Hansen and his crew of the Northwestern have recently returned to Seattle after another perilous season of fishing in the Bering Sea.
I caught up with the captain in Ballard where he's getting the Northwestern ready to head back to Alaska for salmon fishing this summer. So, cap'n, I asked, how'd it go?
"Our King crab season went very well. It was hard to find the crab at first. The weather cooperated somewhat. When it got into the Opilio (crab) season in the winter, that's when it hit the fan," Hansen said.
Hansen and his crew's every move at sea was documented for the TV show, which premiered its fifth season on April 14. But as we know, this ain't his first rodeo.
"We're used to the cameras. Let's face it. We're not afraid of 'em like we were five years ago," he said.
The cameras were rolling when the crab season officially began aboard the Northwestern with a tradition -- biting off a herring's head. The crew members drew straws to see who would do the honors.
"It was weird. We got out there, ready to go, then the guys want to draw straws. They looked up at me, like, 'Hey, come on.' They challenged me," said Hansen. "I figured if I go first, I have six chances to not get it. Then when I drew the short straw, it was just funny. So, I don't know. (Maybe it was) meant to be because it's been a long time since I bit the head off one."
Some TV shows struggle to last a season, but "Deadliest Catch" is sailing along in its fifth year.
"It was like over four and a half million viewers, so more than last year. So it does keep climbing," Hansen said. "I never took interest in it before, and now we're gathering information like that. It's amazing, you know? Maybe it's like one of those domino effects where a guy tells a buddy and so on. It just keeps getting better."
The show has led to stardom for Hansen and his brothers. There has been talk show appearances and all sorts of business opportunities.
"You know, it's going to end someday. And it is what it is, but you've got to try and stay a little grounded. But when it's all said and done, we'll still be here," said Hansen.
Before he goes back to only being a fisherman, Hansen is trying to leave a lasting impact with his new charity -- The Fisherman's Fund.
"It's basically intended for families that have lost their loved one at sea, and if they're in need, then hopefully there will be money to help them get through for a while," he said. "Let's face it. Any type of fishery is dangerous. You're out there in the elements. There are funds like it, but this one is specific to those lost at sea."
Fans of the show will have a chance to meet Capt. Sig Hansen and his crew in person this weekend.
The Discovery Channel is hosting its first-ever "deadliest Catch" fan convention, Catch Con, in downtown Seattle.
The event, which will be held from noon to 6 p.m., is already sold out. Anyone who hasn't already registered will be put on a waiting list.