I have the slightest accent … Tell us about growing up in Portland, Maine.
Growing up in Maine with its four seasons was amazing. As a family we had different activities for each. Spring was planting in the family garden. Summers were for sports teams (mainly tennis and baseball), and being on the ocean all summer long swimming, sailing and boating of all kinds. Fall was always for hiking in the woods to see the colors. Winter was the best for skiing, sledding and building snow forts.

Your mom took you lobstering when you were a kid … How did she learn?
My mother was a true Mainer, and she learned from her Dad.

Did you haul traps when you were first learning?
I wasn’t strong enough to haul the traps by hand as a kid, so I ran the outboard motor.

What was your mom’s great saying about summers?
Go outside and stay there.

What was it about lobstering and being out on the water that you loved then, and continue to love to this day?
Everything … focus, nature, weather, the hunt.

When did lobstering become full time for you?
I graduated from college and was thinking about teaching. I met a colleague that had just landed a teaching job that paid $15K. I was making twice that lobstering in the summer of 1978. It was then I joined Hard Sails, designing sails for sailboats in the winter and lobstering in the summer.

What does it take to become a successful fisherman?Long hours and work, and a skill for knowing where to fish and when. You also need to keep a tight handle on the finances. My dad was a banker so I worked with accountant.

How do you know where to find the best lobsters?
By being an observer of nature, water temperature and the migration patterns.

Did you have a crew?
Yes, one or two depending on the season.

The Nancy J. What a great name for your fishing vessel! Have you always had the same vessel?
I’ve had four vessels: Anne, 16 feet; Homely Hanna, 22 feet; The Windsong, 38 feet. Then in 1980, I bought the 36-foot Nancy J that I still own.

Take us through a day of lobstering, beginning with the time you wake up.
5:30 is wake up. The video tells the story best …

Greatest joys?
Fishing with my son, and grandkids now, too, and a full tank of lobsters.

Greatest hardships?
Blown engines.

What life lessons has fishing taught you?
Hard work and attention to the details. “Measure twice, cut once.”

Lobstering was your career until 2005. What happened to make you think about a change?
Governmental changes creating new regulations.

Seems like a big jump from lobstering to real estate. What intrigued you about developing a career in real estate?
I knew I would never be able to work for a boss or stuck in an office cubical. Growing up in the same town and having served on several local boards, I met a few folks. I reached out to some that were in the real estate business, and they said I should give it a go. Back to school nights.

How did you begin your new career?
Working in the real estate office on Sundays, and fishing on weekdays and Saturdays.

Any similarities between lobstering and real estate?
Yes, hard work and paying attention to what’s being said, and what’s around you. Always be honest.

Greatest joys of your real estate business?
Having clients like you! I have some families I have done 7-8 transactions with … all profitable and they move up in life.

You haven’t given up lobstering … How often do you fish now? Solo?
Solo mostly, but sometimes with the kids. I do prefer the peace and quiet. Usually, I go out once a week in the summer.

Obviously, you like hard work—physical and mental. How do you spend your free time?
Walking, skiing, fly fishing and always reflecting on what a great life I’ve had. I’m often asked, “When do you plan to retire?” I’ve always done it my way, so I’ve been retired my whole life.