Alki Tavern reels in crowd for ‘Deadliest Catch’ visitors

Story and photos by Jen Boyer
Reporting for West Seattle Blog

More than 50 people gathered at West Seattle’s family-owned Alki Tavern to meet stars from the reality TV show Deadliest Catch tonight.

Deckhands Scott Hillstrand of the F/V Time Bandit and Jake Anderson of the F/V Northwestern dropped by to meet fans, sign autographs and promote the upcoming season of the show, which premieres on Discovery Channel April 12.

“We’re really excited that these guys chose our little tavern to start their tour of appearances in promotion of the new season,” said Gill McLynne, manager of the Alki Tavern. “It was all kind of a stroke of luck for us. …”

McLynne continued, “One of our customers knew the promoter for these guys and asked us last week if we’d like to host them here tonight. It created quite a buzz too. We got calls, messages on Facebook and even one of our bartenders was approached at a gas station by a customer asking about it.”

The boys of the Bering Sea arrived by limo, flashed big smiles, and got to work meeting the people who turned out to meet them.

“It’s great to get out in the community and do these events,” Hillstrand told WSB. “I love meeting folks and they get to know us, see we’re normal guys.”

Before signing autographs, the fishermen shared their thoughts for the upcoming season.

“It’s going to be a hard season for me to watch this year,” Hillstrand said. “I lost a really good friend this year at the end of the season. He survived the Bering Sea only to fall asleep and not wake up. But it is a blessing that he was on the show because his little boy and his parents will be able to see how hard he worked.”

Deckhand Justin Tennison, 34, was found dead in his Homer, Alaska, hotel room on February 21st.

Anderson said he didn’t want to give anything away, but fans of the show can look forward to seeing a new dynamic on the F/V Cornelia Marie (formerly captained by the late Phil Harris, memorialized in Seattle last year) and a new dynamic on the Northwestern during Opilio season. Additionally, two new boats, the Rambling Rose and Seabrook, will mix things up a bit.

“I can tell you that it’s going to be an awesome beginning to the Opilio season,” Anderson said with a sly smile.

Dissapointed March 31, 2011 (10:34 pm)

Deadliest Farce.

Lisa March 31, 2011 (10:40 pm)

Darn, I saw the limo on the way home, guess I missed my chance:)I love those guys! Will there be a schedule of their other stops posted anywhere?

gary March 31, 2011 (10:50 pm)

Sounds like someone is disappointed because they know they could never measure up…

Sallie March 31, 2011 (11:14 pm)

“Normal” guys who arrived in a limo? Whatever.

JB March 31, 2011 (11:17 pm)

I’ve been to the Bering, the GOA, and out to the Stalemate Banks (look it up) on numerous boats, including a handful under 100′. Yes, “The Deadliest Farce” is a better name for the show. I guess folks will believe just about anything they see on TV. Creative editing will get you a lot.

KRM April 1, 2011 (7:34 am)

Wow JB, you are really cool. You should have your own show!! Just kidding.

LM April 1, 2011 (8:56 am)

The event was terrific and the guys from the Time Bandit and Northwestern were great. BTW the Alki Tavern is one of the friendliest and coolest taverns in town!

Jasperblu April 1, 2011 (10:03 am)

Deadliest Farce? Wow. While I know TV can (& often does) make something out of nothing, I also know that I cannot possibly imagine doing what these guys do, day in and day out. Hard work. Dangerous work. No matter the level of dramatization, I still enjoy the show & I love that these guys come out to meet their fans here in their home port. :)

Megan April 1, 2011 (10:09 am)

I agree Jasperblu. I think its awesome that the guys came to meet their fans in THEIR home port. Jealous much, JB?
Grow up!

dawsonct April 1, 2011 (11:21 am)

I think it’s great and all, but couldn’t they have chosen another night than $1 taco night!? And Tuesday wouldn’t be an acceptable alternative either.

Kayleigh April 1, 2011 (11:47 am)

Who knew the guys on that show were so cute? :)

Jayme April 1, 2011 (1:55 pm)

Hottest Guys I’ve ever seen in the Alki Tavern by far!! =)

56bricks April 1, 2011 (3:01 pm)

Yeah,everybody’s a freakin’ hero!

Dissapointed April 1, 2011 (6:01 pm)

I’ve been fishing the Bering Sea since the 80’s. Go down to any place where fishing boats dock (Todds, Foss, Pier 91, Lake Union, Peter Kelley, etc.) and ask the vets what they think of the show. They will agree with JB and me.
Yes, it is a very dangerous and miserable job, but the show blows it way out of proportion and puts the crew in more risk than they should be.

MsEvelyn April 1, 2011 (10:21 pm)

I am so mad that I missed them there!! I love that show…Guess I need to stay more on top of things better, by, for instance, checking out the WSblog more often…

Dunno April 2, 2011 (10:31 pm)

Yeah, this is the TV first show to do that!
Maybe it should have been a movie, cause they don’t blow things out of proportion in the movies. The show would be much better as a boring documentary.
How about the cop shows, Military crap, Logging, Ice Trucking,and list goes on and on. LOL!!!

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