Lars-Erik Miller: Portrait of a Fisherman

Lars-Erik Miller sits at the corner of the Crow’s Nest Bar in Gloucester, Massachusetts, made famous by the Hollywood film The Perfect Storm. Based on a true story, the movie depicts the fishing crew of the Andrea Gail meeting a ferocious and fatal storm in October of 1991. A memorial banner hangs on the wall for all six crew members who perished that day who were regulars at the bar.  

Sporting a green headband, a Boston Lager in hand, Miller settles into a night out with friends after a day out fishing like many have done before him.  

“The Crow’s Nest is a sacred place in Gloucester, it’s a haven for all the people who have fished in much more dangerous times,” said Miller. 

“We come here to socialize but they came here after blasting through a storm when they didn’t have GPS. We know were going to get home and they didn’t, so this means something even greater to them.” 

Fishing has been part of Miller’s life since he was young. His father taught him a few knots to get him started and after spending more time on fishing boats, the captains served as role models to him. Eventually, he grew to teach his father knots.

“I’ve never not loved fishing, it can’t be good every time, but that comes with the territory, the good and the bad,” said Miller. 

“I like the naturality of it and the interaction with the environment. When there’s a sunrise on land it feels wrong. You get conditioned to experience it on the water and when you don’t its wrong.” 

Like his father and the ship captains have done for him, Miller bites at the opportunity to see someone get their first catch.   

“I love putting someone new on a tuna and seeing their reaction and reliving the first experience of fighting a fish,” said Miller. 

Despite having caught lobsters and other types of fish Miller’s passion has always been Tuna. 

“As far as fishing goes, tuna is my catch, I want the big one,” said Miller.  

Miller’s biggest catch to date is a blue fin tuna 118 inches in length, but like many fishermen he’s had close calls with breaking his personal records. 

“I had a fish recently that would’ve won a tournament, but it got away. A typical story, but you wouldn’t believe how big it was, biggest fish I’ve ever seen up close.” 

Recently, the state of Massachusetts has hindered fisherman like Miller by endorsing industrial fishing on a larger scale than ever before in an effort to support fish sellers. Bigger commercial boats in town are employing less locals and as a result, they seek out other types of fishing or can’t keep up with the states regulations.  

“I’ve seen fisherman forced to choose between meeting regulations and keeping operations legal and actually making money,” said Miller. 

Miller has seen his cod fishing stifled because of industrial cod fishing imposing on his fleet. The state frames it as boats such as his cause too much harm to the fish but continue to let massive boats catch them. 

“We have to throw the big, beautiful fish back even though it’s going to get caught in a net 20 minutes later,” said Miller. 

“People come here to fish, buy charters, eat at restaurants and buy hotel rooms. It’s disappointing because it feels like they don’t appreciate the impact tourism has.” 

While it has become harder to maintain a life as an independent fisherman, Miller stays committed to the lifestyle in the warm season. In the wintertime, while many take off work or go on unemployment, Miller works as an artist and ice sculptor. 

“In ice you don’t get recreations that are as colorful as other forms of art, you have to bring the color and scenery to the ice,” said Miller. 

Miller recognizes why so many fishermen double as artists. He believes the location not only creates artists but attracts new artists to replicate that art as well. 

“The experience you have offshore is something you try to recreate so others can experience it,” said Miller.