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>> I'M ON MY WAY TO MARYLAND'S
EASTERN SHORE
TO TROTLINE FOR BLUE CRAB WITH
A SEASONED OLD WATERMAN...
>> HERE HE COMES. DEEP, MAN.
GO DEEP, MAN. GO DEEP.
OHH!
>> SEE THE RESTORATION OF
AMERICA'S LAST COMMERCIAL
SAILBOAT FLEET...
>> THAT'S LIKE BUYING DIME BAGS,
YOU KNOW. IT'S LIKE MAKING MONEY
ON THE SMALL STUFF.
>> GET CUSTOM FIT FOR A DOUBLE-
BARRELED AMERICAN SHOTGUN...
>> I THINK YOU'LL FIND IT A LOT
MORE COMFORTABLE.
>> AND TAKE IT FOR A TEST DRIVE.
OHH! DEAD BIRD.
IN THIS COLONIAL SETTLEMENT
TURNED SPORTSMAN'S MECCA, YOU
CAN KICK BACK LIKE A GENTLEMAN
AND DRINK LIKE A SAILOR.
>> NEXT TIME.
>> CHEERS.
>> OH, YOU'RE GETTING GOOD AT
THIS.
NOT BAD FOR A ROOKIE.
>> MY NAME IS MATT HRANEK.
>> GEEZ, MATT! OH, MY GOD!
>> MY JOB AS A PHOTOGRAPHER
TAKES ME ALL OVER THE COUNTRY...
BREAKER, BREAKER,
THIS IS PEACHES 'N CREAM.
DOCUMENTING THE UNIQUE PEOPLE...
I WANT JUST A TOUCH OF
GUIDANCE.
>> GET A REAL JOB.
>> HA HA HA!
>> AND TIMELESS OBJECTS THAT
EMBODY THE AMERICAN SPIRIT.
THAT'S WHAT IT'S ABOUT,
RIGHT?
I STARTED A BLOG OF MY FAVORITE
DISCOVERIES:
STUFF WELL MADE, HONEST FOOD,
AND MEMORABLE CHARACTERS.
>> I'VE KILLED MORE FROGS THAN A
WINTER FREEZE.
>> AND WHILE PICTURES ARE TRULY
WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS...
I'M GONNA GIVE YOU A HUG.
I'D LIKE TO SHARE THE REST OF
THE STORY.
THERE IT IS! THERE IT IS! THERE
IT IS! THERE IT IS!
I'M MATT HRANEK, AND I INVITE
YOU TO JOIN ME ON THE "ALTERNATE
ROUTE."
15 MILLION PEOPLE A YEAR VISIT
D.C. TO LEARN ABOUT
THIS COUNTRY'S HISTORY,
BUT IF THEY JUST WENT AN HOUR
EAST...
THEY COULD LIVE IT.
MARYLAND'S EASTERN SHORE
PENINSULA EXTENDS HUNDREDS OF
MILES BETWEEN THE CHESAPEAKE BAY
AND THE ATLANTIC OCEAN.
THE EASTERN SHORE'S FIRST
COLONIAL SETTLERS WERE FIERCELY
INDEPENDENT. THEY DIDN'T WANT TO
BE PART OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE
OR EVEN THE STATE OF MARYLAND.
THEY ACTUALLY TRIED TO SECEDE A
COUPLE TIMES. IT'S A SELF-MADE,
DON'T-REALLY-GIVE-A-DAMN-SORT-
OF-PLACE POPULATED BY PROUD
WATERMEN, HUNTERS, AND
OLD-SCHOOL CRAFTSMEN WHO STILL
MAKE THEIR LIVING WITH THEIR
HANDS. TODAY, I'M HEADED SOUTH
TO ST. MICHAELS. IT'S A
LEISURELY HOUR-AND-A-HALF-LONG
RIDE FROM BALTIMORE IN MY BUDDY
WILL'S CLASSIC BRITISH ROADSTER.
NOT EVERY DAY YOU GET TO DRIVE
AROUND IN A 1950 MG TD.
THEY ONLY MADE ABOUT 4,700 OF
THIS YEAR'S MODEL, AND WHO KNOWS
HOW MANY OF THOSE ARE STILL
RUNNING TODAY. HOPEFULLY, THAT
STILL INCLUDES THIS ONE, AFTER
I'M THROUGH FIGURING OUT THE
CLUTCH ON THIS TEMPERAMENTAL
4-SPEED TRANSMISSION.
OHH...
[GEAR GRINDS]
I DIDN'T INTEND TO RIDE INTO
TOWN LOOKING LIKE AN EXTRA FROM
A BRITISH PERIOD FILM, BUT IT'S
FREEZING IN THIS THING WITH THE
TOP DOWN. COME ON, THOUGH. YOU
GOTTA GO TOP-DOWN IN A CAR LIKE
THIS.
FINALLY, THE INN AT PERRY CABIN.
YOU CAN ALMOST IMAGINE THIS CAR
PULLING UP TO HERE IN THE 1950s,
BRAND NEW.
I'LL BE STAYING AT THE INN AT
PERRY CABIN, A COLONIAL MANSION
BUILT IN 1816 TO REPLICATE
COMMODORE OLIVER HAZARD PERRY'S
CABIN ON THE FLAGSHIP U.S.S.
"NIAGARA."
THE STYLE IS NAUTICAL LUXURY
RIGHT ON THE WATER WITH A HOUSE
BAR RUN BY A 4-STAR CHEF.
>> THIS IS OUR CHAIRMAN'S SUITE
FOR YOUS.
>> OH, MY GOD! WOW.
THAT IS FANTASTIC. HOW AM I
GONNA GO BACK TO MY LITTLE
APARTMENT IN BROOKLYN AFTER
THIS?
>> YOU DON'T NEED TO. STAY.
STAY. WE'D LOVE TO HAVE YOU.
>> ALL RIGHT, I'M GONNA START
SQUATTING.
>> EXCELLENT. HA HA!
>> TEMPTED AS I MAY BE JUST TO
DROP BAGS AND SETTLE IN, ONE OF
THOSE THINGS THAT I'VE BEEN
DYING TO DO IS GO OUT WITH A
WATERMAN AND GO CRABBING.
MORE THAN 1/3 OF THE NATION'S
CATCH OF BLUE CRABS COMES FROM
THE CHESAPEAKE BAY, WHICH IS
HOME TO SOME 300 MILLION OF
THESE HANDSOME, DELICIOUS
CREATURES.
SO, I'M AT THE DOCK RIGHT NOW,
MEETING UP WITH AL FROM BIG
AL'S. AND WE'RE GONNA LAY SOME
LINE AND CATCH SOME BLUE CRABS.
>> HOW'S IT GOING, MATT?
>> HEY, AL! COME ABOARD?
>> COME ON ABOARD.
>> ALL RIGHT.
CRABBING IS A MULTIMILLION
DOLLAR INDUSTRY PLIED ALMOST
ENTIRELY BY INDEPENDENT FAMILY
BUSINESSES AND LIFELONG WATERMEN
LIKE ALAN POORE, JR.
SO, AL, THIS IS ACTUALLY THE
RIVER, RIGHT?
>> YEAH. THIS IS THE MILES
RIVER.
>> MILES RIVER.
>> YEAH. THE RIVER GROWS THE
BIGGEST CRABS ON THE BAY.
>> BIG AL HAS BEEN SELLING HIS
CATCH AT A BIG AL'S MARKET IN
DOWNTOWN EASTON FOR MORE THAN 30
YEARS.
>> I HAD MY OWN BOAT WHEN I WAS
8 YEARS OLD.
>> SERIOUSLY?
>> MY MOTHER CRABBED. MY MOTHER
CRABBED A BOAT.
>> AL IS ABSOLUTELY THE KIND OF
CLASSIC WATERMAN. HE IS ALMOST
A CARICATURE OF THAT, WHICH I
LOVE.
>> WATERMEN ARE THEIR BEST
FRIENDS. IF THEY NEED HELP, MAN,
I'LL JUMP AND HELP ANYBODY.
>> YEAH.
>> BUT WHEN IT COMES TO CATCHING
OUR CRABS...
>> SHUT YOUR MOUTH.
>> VERY HUSH-HUSH.
>> YEAH, YEAH. FROM HIS RASPY
VOICE...
>> ICE-COLD BEER AND STEAMED
CRABS...
>> TO HIS ONE-LINERS...
>> IF YOU DON'T LIKE THAT, BOY,
YOU DON'T LIKE LIVING.
>> IT'S GUYS LIKE THIS THAT MAKE
IT ALL WORTHWHILE.
>> THERE'S TWO WAYS OF CATCHING
CRABS. ONE OF 'EM IS CRAB
POTTING, WHICH YOU DO OUT IN THE
MIDDLE OF THE CHESAPEAKE BAY.
TROTLINING CAN BE DONE IN ANY
OF THE RIVERS AND CREEKS AND
STUFF LIKE THAT.
>> THE TROTLINE IS BAITED WITH
CLAMS AT INTERVALS AND THEN DRUG
ALONG THE BOTTOM OF THE BAY.
>> IF THERE'S A CRAB IN THE
AREA, HE'LL GRAB ONTO IT.
>> SO, THAT'S IT.
>> HE COMES TO THE SURFACE, AND
MY JOB IS TO DIP HIM OFF THAT
LINE.
>> I'VE DONE ALL KINDS OF
FISHING, BUT I'VE NEVER
TROTLINED FOR CRAB.
>> EVERYBODY CAN LAY A LINE,
BUT TO GET THE CRAB TO THE
SURFACE, THAT'S THE HARD PART.
THAT'S WHERE BEING A
THIRD-GENERATION WATERMAN COMES
IN, BECAUSE THERE'S LITTLE
TRICKS TO THIS. LET ME GET MY
ROLLER HERE.
>> SINCE WE'RE STEAMING UP OUR
CATCH FOR DINNER TONIGHT, I HOPE
I GET THE HANG OF THIS QUICK.
SO, THESE BAITS THAT HAVEN'T
BEEN TAKEN JUST GO BACK OVER AND
THEY HIT THE BOTTOM AGAIN--
>> YEP, YEP, YEP, ABSOLUTELY.
ABSOLUTELY DO IT.
>> THERE'S GOTTA BE ONE COMING
UP. CAN THE CLAWS ON THOSE CRABS
MESS YOU UP?
>> I'VE SEEN THEM PUT A BIG MAN
ON HIS KNEES. IF A CRAB WAS AS
BIG AS A MAN, HE WOULD RULE THE
WORLD. BUT YOU STAND THERE AND
WATCH. YOU SEE ONE COMING, LET
ME KNOW.
>> ALL RIGHT.
>> ALL RIGHT, HERE WE GO.
>> ALL RIGHT, THERE'S ONE THERE.
>> THERE YOU GO, MATT.
>> FIRST CRAB.
>> THE VERY FIRST CRAB OF THE
SEASON RIGHT THERE.
>> OK, HERE WE GO.
>> BOY, WHEN YOU SIT DOWN
TONIGHT TO THE TABLE WITH THEM
BIG OLD BABIES THERE, YOU JUST
THINK ABOUT THIS. EVERY CRAB YOU
DIP IS A $3.00 BILL.
>> HA HA HA!
>> YOU DIP 35, 40 OF THEM IN A
ROW, TIMES 3, IT ONLY TAKES
ABOUT 15 MINUTES TO DO IT, WALL
STREET DON'T MAKE THAT MUCH
MONEY.
>> THAT'S RIGHT.
>> ALL RIGHT, MATT. COME ON OVER
HERE, MATT. IT'S YOUR TURN NOW,
BUDDY. MAKE YOU A CHESAPEAKE BAY
WATERMAN IF IT KILLS ME.
>> IT'S EARLY IN THE SEASON,
COLD, AND I'M INTIMIDATED
BECAUSE I'VE NEVER BEEN CRABBING
BEFORE.
>> HERE HE COMES, MATT.
ALL RIGHT, MATT, HERE HE COMES.
THERE HE GOES. THERE HE GOES.
DROP IT OFF. LAY DOWN THERE!
OHH! OH, MATT. AH, BOY.
3 TIMES IN A ROW, YOU'RE--
>> THAT WAS NOT A $3.00 BILL.
>> HA HA HA!
>> ALL THESE KIND OF GUYS ARE
A-LIST ...BUSTERS.
>> YOUR BATTING AVERAGE IS
DROPPING BAD. YOU KNOW THAT,
DON'T YOU? HA HA!
>> THEY'RE GONNA PUT YOU TO WORK
AND THEY'RE NOT GONNA DUMB IT
DOWN FOR YOU, AND THAT'S THE WAY
TO LEARN.
>> WAY TO GO, MATT. WAY TO GO,
MATT. YOU GOT HIM. YOU GOT HIM.
GOOD JOB. GOOD JOB.
BEAUTIFUL CRAB, MATT. BEAUTIFUL
CRAB, BUDDY.
OH! YOU'RE GETTING GOOD AT THIS.
NOT BAD FOR A ROOKIE.
YOU DROPPED--OH, MATT. GET HIM,
MATT. GET HIM, GET HIM!
GET HIM? AWW, MATT!
>> EMPTY BASKET.
I THINK THE EXCITING PART FOR ME
IS TO SEE WHERE THIS CRAB COMES
FROM. I APPRECIATE IT A LITTLE
BIT MORE, AND I THINK AT THE END
OF THE DAY WHEN I GET TO THE
RESTAURANT, THEY TASTE A LOT
BETTER.
>> WE'LL SHOOT IT HERE TO THE
CRAB CLAW AND TAKE OUR CRABS IN
THERE AND HOPE THEY'LL STAY ...
FOR US.
>> THE CRAB CLAW HAS BEEN AROUND
SINCE THE 1960s. IT SERVES MORE
THAN 2,100 BLUE CRABS A DAY,
EACH PREPARED IN STRAIGHTFORWARD
CHESAPEAKE STYLE.
>> CHARLIE BROWN.
>> WHAT'S GOING ON, ALAN?
>> SAME OLD THING. BEEN OUT
CRABBING WITH MY BUDDY MATT
HERE, AND WE WANT TO KNOW IF
YOU'LL COOK SOME CRABS UP FOR
US.
>> NO PROBLEM.
>> CHARLES BRUMMEL HAS BEEN
COOKING AT THE CRAB CLAW FOR 24
YEARS, WORKING HIS WAY UP FROM
DISHWASHER TO CHEF. HE DOES ONE
THING HIS WAY, EVERY DAY.
I'D SAY HE'S AN EXPERT.
WHAT'S THE ICE WATER DO?
>> IT CHILLS 'EM SO THEY DON'T
FIGHT WHEN THEY COOK.
>> I WANT TO SEE THEM ALL PINK
AND CRUSTED WITH SPICE.
>> THAT AND A COLD BEER, WE'LL
BE IN GOOD SHAPE.
>> THAT'S RIGHT.
THE CRABS GET SPICED RIGHT
BEFORE THEY GO INTO THE STEAMER.
SO, YOU JUST EYEBALL THAT SPICE,
RIGHT? JUST A HANDFUL OVER EACH
LAYER?
LIKE MANY OF THE WORLD'S GREAT
INVENTIONS, OLD BAY SEASONING
WAS DREAMED UP IN A BAR. IT WAS
ONE OF A NUMBER OF SALTY
SEASONINGS CREATED TO GET BAR
PATRONS TO DRINK MORE, NOT THAT
I NEED ANY ENCOURAGEMENT.
SO, THAT VALVE OPENS UP THE
STEAM INTO THIS STEEL BOX,
RIGHT?
>> YEP.
>> THE CRABS COOK IN THE STEAMER
FOR 20 MINUTES TO AN INTERNAL
TEMPERATURE OF 158 DEGREES.
>> PRETTY THEM BABIES UP NOW.
MAN, DO THEY SMELL GOOD.
>> THEY SMELL AMAZING.
THE FIRST MAN WHO EVER ATE CRAB
MUST HAVE BEEN EXTREMELY
DESPERATE...
>> WOW! LOOK AT THAT.
>> AND THEN PLEASANTLY
SURPRISED.
LOOK AT THAT. THAT IS BEAUTIFUL.
>> YES, THEY ARE.
>> I HAVE A THEORY I PLAN TO
TEST THIS WEEKEND: THAT A PERSON
CAN SUBSIST HAPPILY ON A DIET OF
NOTHING BUT CRAB.
>> I'M GONNA SHOW YOU THE
EASTERN SHORE WAY TO EAT CRAB,
NOT UP NORTH. ALL RIGHT, MATT.
YOU'RE GONNA PULL STRAIGHT UP.
AND HIT THAT JOINT. YOU GOTTA
HIT THAT KNUCKLE. CUT, PULL,
CUT, PULL. CROSS HERE, FLAT,
LIKE THIS. JUST LIKE THAT. AND
THERE'S YOUR SILVER PLATTER
SITTING RIGHT THERE WAITING FOR
YOU.
>> OH, MY GOD, THAT'S SO GOOD.
>> THAT'S THE JUMBO LUMP RIGHT
THERE.
>> I MEAN, I'M SERIOUS--
>> THAT'S [INDISTINCT] RIGHT
THERE.
>> THEY SAY HUNGER'S THE BEST
SAUCE. WHEN YOU PUT THE EFFORT
INTO CATCHING THESE AND COOKING
THEM, IT'S THE BEST REWARD.
>> YOU GOT IT.
>> UNTIL NEXT TIME, RIGHT?
>> NEXT TIME.
>> CHEERS. THANK YOU.
I THINK WITH AL, I HAVE THE
PERFECT GUIDE AND THE PERFECT
END TO THE EXPERIENCE.
AFTER A GOOD NIGHT'S SLEEP AT
THE INN, THIS MORNING I'M
GONNA CHECK OUT THE CHESAPEAKE
BAY MARITIME MUSEUM HERE IN ST.
MICHAELS. I GENERALLY AVOID
MUSEUMS, BUT THIS ONE'S A
FUNCTIONING BOATYARD WITH A
STAFF OF MASTER SHIPBUILDERS.
SHIPBUILDING WAS THE EARLIEST
INDUSTRY IN ST. MICHAELS. THE
FAST, HIGHLY MANEUVERABLE
BALTIMORE CLIPPERS PRODUCED HERE
RAN CIRCLES AROUND CLUMSY
BRITISH NAVAL VESSELS DURING THE
WAR OF 1812. WHEN THE FIGHTING
WAS OVER, SHIPBUILDERS TURNED
THEIR ATTENTION TO THE AREA'S
GROWING OYSTER INDUSTRY AND
PRODUCED THE SKIPJACK,
MARYLAND'S OFFICIAL BOAT.
THEY HAVE THE LARGEST COLLECTION
OF HISTORIC MARITIME CHESAPEAKE
VESSELS IN THE WHOLE AREA. AND
IT'S REALLY SPECTACULAR TO SEE
THEM ACTUALLY WORKING AND
RESTORING ON THESE BOATS.
HELLO.
>> HEY, HOW'S IT GOING?
>> HEY, I'M MATT.
>> HOW YOU DOING. MICHAEL.
>> MICHAEL, NICE TO SEE YOU.
>> NICE TO SEE YOU.
>> CAN YOU GIVE ME THE RUNDOWN
OF THIS PLACE?
>> THIS PLACE HERE?
>> YEAH.
>> I'M THE VESSEL MAINTENANCE
MANAGER HERE, SO I'M
RESPONSIBLE. IF THE BOATS SINK,
I GET IN TROUBLE, BASICALLY.
>> AND HOW OFTEN DOES THAT
HAPPEN?
>> NOT VERY OFTEN.
>> THE SMELL OF THIS PLACE IS
LIKE A MIX OF WOOD, PAINT FUMES,
AND A SNOOP CONCERT. YOU COULD
PROBABLY GET A CONTACT HIGH IN
HERE.
>> WORKED HERE FOR 2 YEARS NOW
IN THIS POSITION, AND THEN ABOUT
7 YEARS AGO, I WAS AN APPRENTICE
HERE LEARNING THE SKILLS AFTER I
GOT OUT OF BOAT BUILDING SCHOOL.
JEN'S PROGRAM UP HERE--SHE
TEACHES PEOPLE TO BUILD NEW
BOATS, AND THEY'RE REPLICATED ON
HISTORIC BOATS.
>> IT'S GREAT TO SEE A YOUNGER
GENERATION CARRYING ON THE OLD
TRADITIONS...
>> JUST MOVE IT, AND THE WEIGHT
OF IT WILL PEEL WOOD OFF.
KICKING IT OLD SCHOOL.
>> MASTERING THE TRADE CRAFT
THAT FIRST PUT THIS TOWN ON THE
MAP.
>> WE DO USE MODERN TOOLS AND
THEN OLD HAND TOOLS. WE DO A
MIX. WE HAVE ABOUT 12 BOATS IN
THE WATER. "MR. JIM'S" OUT ON
THE RAILWAY. THAT WAS BUILT IN
THE EIGHTIES, BUT IT'S MODELED
AFTER A BUY BOAT. YOU'D GO OUT
TO THE SAILBOATS THAT DREDGED
OYSTERS AND BUY THEM AND BRING
THEM TO THE HOUSE. THEY WERE
LIKE ONE OF THE FIRST MIDDLEMEN,
YOU KNOW?
>> RIGHT.
>> IT'S LIKE BUYING DIME BAGS,
YOU KNOW? IT'S LIKE MAKING
MONEY ON THE SMALL STUFF.
ENJOY YOURSELF.
>> OK, THANKS A LOT. SEE YOU
LATER.
>> WE'RE ON THE EASTERN SHORE OF
MARYLAND. MY DAD USED TO COME
HERE AND DUCK HUNT. THERE'S A
GREAT LITTLE TOWN CALLED EASTON
WE'RE HEADING TO...
[GEAR GRINDS]
ONCE I GRIND THESE GEARS TO
DEATH.
WE'RE GONNA GO TO A PLACE CALLED
ALBRIGHT'S GUN SHOP. BEEN AROUND
FOR 30-SOME YEARS. IT'S GOT THE
MOST IMPRESSIVE COLLECTION OF
CLASSIC SHOTGUNS. AND HOPEFULLY
I'LL CONVINCE LARRY TO LET US
TAKE ONE OUT TO SHOOT SOME
SKEET.
I'VE BEEN SERIOUSLY COLLECTING
AND SHOOTING SHOTGUNS FOR THE
LAST 20 YEARS. AT MY FARM IN
UPSTATE NEW YORK, I HUNT MOSTLY
GROUSE AND SMALL GAME.
GOOD AFTERNOON. LARRY?
>> OH, YES.
>> HEY, MATT. MATT HRANEK.
>> MATT, HOW ARE YOU?
>> NICE TO SEE YOU.
>> NICE TO SEE YOU.
>> THE LAST TIME I WAS HERE,
I LOOKED INTO THAT FRONT WINDOW
AND I SAW THAT GORGEOUS LINE OF
DOUBLE GUNS, AND I HAD TO COME
BACK.
>> GREAT. WELL, WELCOME BACK.
>> ALBRIGHT'S HAS BEEN AROUND
SINCE THE EARLY 1980s, AND I'VE
BEEN IN LOTS OF GUN SHOPS. BUT
LARRY ALBRIGHT'S WITH ITS
ON-SITE GUNSMITH AND FULL
CUSTOMIZATION SERVICE IS REALLY
A DYING BREED.
>> IN THE EASTERN SHORE, THE
AMERICAN, ENGLISH, THE EUROPEAN
DOUBLES HAVE BEEN POPULAR ALL
THE WAY THROUGH.
>> I LOVE THE IDEA OF THE
AMERICAN DOUBLE. I BOUGHT ONE OF
MY FIRST RECENTLY, WHICH IS AN
L.C. SMITH THAT WAS MADE IN
UPSTATE NEW YORK, RIGHT NEAR
WHERE I GREW UP. MY DAD USED TO
COME DOWN TO THE CHESAPEAKE TO
DUCK HUNT, SO I LOVE THAT
TRADITION OF THIS GUN AND THAT
SPORT.
>> HERE'S AN L.C. SMITH,
16-GAUGE, THAT WE JUST PUT ON
THE RACK.
>> THE L.C. SMITH WAS
MANUFACTURED BETWEEN THE LATE
18th CENTURY AND WORLD WAR II.
FOR MY MONEY, THIS IS ONE OF THE
FINEST AMERICAN SIDE-BY-SIDE
SHOTGUNS EVER MADE.
IT FEELS ABSOLUTELY PERFECT.
>> LET'S SLIP UPSTAIRS TO ALEX
AND SEE HOW IT FITS YOU.
>> GREAT. I'D LOVE THAT.
>> ALL RIGHT, GREAT.
>> ALL THIS STUFF HAS A REAL
ROOT IN AMERICANA AND THE
ESSENCE OF THIS AREA AND THE
EASTERN SHORE OF CHESAPEAKE
WHERE THE DUCK-HUNTING
TRADITIONS WERE EPIC, THE GOOSE-
HUNTING TRADITIONS WERE EPIC.
WOW.
>> SAY HELLO TO ALEX.
>> HEY, ALEX.
>> ALEX OUR GUNSMITH.
>> MATT. NICE TO SEE YOU.
>> YOU AS WELL. NICE TO MEET
YOU.
>> LIKE A KID IN A CANDY STORE.
>> WELL, THE FIRST STEP, WE'LL
GET A COUPLE OF REAL BASE
MEASUREMENTS OFF YOU. THIS IS TO
GET A GAUGE OF YOUR ARM LENGTH.
>> NOW, THAT'S CALLED LENGTH OF
POLE. IS THAT CORRECT?
>> YES, SIR. THIS GETS US IN THE
BALLPARK. WHAT WE'RE GONNA DO IS
JUST PLACE THIS IN YOUR ARM AND
WE'RE JUST GONNA EASE IT FORWARD
UNTIL YOUR FINGER--ACTUALLY,
THAT'S JUST ABOUT RIGHT. I'M
GONNA BRING IT BACK A LITTLE.
>> PEOPLE SHOULD GO THROUGH THIS
PROCESS.
>> IT'S JUST LIKE YOU GO TO A
GOLF PRO TO PERFECT YOUR SWING.
>> RIGHT.
>> I MEAN, WE'RE WORKING WITH
THESE SAME ELLIPSES OFF YOUR
HIPS.
YOU WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT YOUR
BELLY BUTTON IS ALIGNED WITH
YOUR NOSE.
>> GOT IT.
>> BECAUSE THAT'LL DRAG YOUR
HIPS WITH WHEREVER YOU LOOK.
>> RIGHT.
>> SO, KEEP THAT IRONED OUT,
YOU'RE GOOD. HA HA!
WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU'LL
PRIMARILY BE USING THE GUN FOR?
>> I LIVE IN UPSTATE NEW YORK,
AND WE HAVE GREAT GROUSE
HUNTING.
>> I GREW UP GROUSE HUNTING WITH
MY FATHER. THAT'S MY FIRST LOVE
IN HUNTING. A LOT OF TIMES, IT'S
JUST WALKING IN THE WOODS WITH
YOUR GUN, BUT THAT'S THE BEAUTY
OF GROUSE HUNTING.
>> I CALL THAT GIKING--HIKING
WITH A GUN.
>> NICE.
SO, I'M JUST GONNA SET IT IN
HERE. I THINK WE NEED TO COME
BACK A FEW INCHES ON THIS.
I THINK YOU'LL FIND IT A LOT
MORE COMFORTABLE.
>> YOU'RE A YOUNG GUY. IS THERE
A TREND TOWARDS GUYS YOUR AGE
TAKING THIS PROFESSION INTO
HAND, OR ...
>> NO, I'M PRETTY WEIRD.
>> OH, REALLY?
IT'S GREAT TO BE WITH SOMEBODY
WHO'S A GREAT CRAFTSMAN AND THEN
CAN GIVE YOU THOSE LITTLE,
SUBTLE BITS OF ADVICE THAT KIND
OF JUST CHANGE THE PLAYING
FIELD, EITHER HOW YOU WEAR A
PAIR OF SHOES, HOW YOU FIT INTO
A SUIT, OR HOW YOU SHOOT A GUN.
>> THAT SHOULD, UH...
>> GREAT. THAT MAKES SUCH A
DIFFERENCE. ALL RIGHT, ALEX,
IT'S TIME TO PUT ALL THIS INTO
PRACTICE.
THE GUYS FROM ALBRIGHT'S ARE
TAKING ME TO THE TALBOT ROD &
GUN CLUB TO SHOOT CLAY PIGEONS
WITH MY NEW, FULLY CUSTOMIZED
L.C. SMITH.
>> IT'S ALL UP TO YOU NOW.
>> OH, OK.
>> WE KNOW WE GOT THE GUN
FITTED.
>> WE CAN ALWAYS BLAME ALEX.
>> EXACTLY. EXACTLY.
WE'LL HAVE YOU SEE A COUPLE
TARGETS.
>> SHOOTING ANY NEW GUN, YOU
HAVE TO GET USED TO ITS
SUBTLETIES, ITS NUANCE. IT'S
KIND OF LIKE A FIRST DATE.
OVER THE TOP?
THE GUN FEELS GREAT IN MY HANDS,
BUT I CAN'T SEEM TO HIT THE
BROAD SIDE OF A BARN.
>> COMING UP AND DROPPING. IT'S
DROPPING DOWN.
>> YOU WANT TO BE ABLE TO FOLLOW
IT ALL THE WAY THROUGH TO THE
END HERE.
>> PULL!
WHATEVER IT IS, I'M BASICALLY
OUT HERE RELEASING CLAY PIGEONS
INTO THE WILD.
>> LET ME TRY.
>> ALL RIGHT, LARRY.
WHOA!
DEAD BIRD.
AND HE WALKS AWAY.
>> I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE.
>> WALKS AWAY.
>> I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE
IT WAS BREAKABLE.
>> YEAH, YEAH. HA HA!
>> YEAH, YEAH, YEAH.
>> ALEX, SHOW ME HOW IT'S DONE.
>> PULL.
[GUNSHOT]
>> I'M NOT GONNA SAY [BLEEP].
I'M NOT GONNA SAY ANYTHING.
>> YOU FEEL BETTER NOW?
>> THANKS FOR MISSING.
>> HA HA!
>> ALL RIGHT. PULL.
[GUNSHOT]
DAMN.
CAN I GRAB A GUN THAT FITS ME?
>> HA HA HA!
I NEVER WANT TO REALLY SEE
PEOPLE MISS, BUT I KINDA--I WAS
PLEASED THAT HE MISSED THE FIRST
ONE AT LEAST.
HO! ABOUT TIME.
>> DOESN'T GET BETTER THAN THAT.
>> ALL THOSE LITTLE TWEAKS THAT
ALEX SHOWED ME WITH MY FOOTING
AND MY STANCE AND MY BALANCE
REALLY, REALLY MADE THE
DIFFERENCE.
PULL.
>> BEAUTIFUL.
>> DEAD BIRD. NOTHING BEATS
THAT FEELING.
SO, HERE'S THE DEAL ABOUT
GETTING A CUSTOM-FITTED SHOTGUN.
>> NICE SHOT.
>> YOU'RE BUYING AN HEIRLOOM, A
PIECE OF HISTORY. YOU'RE
SUPPORTING AN OLD-WORLD CRAFT...
>> CRUSHED IT.
>> AND MAKING AN INVESTMENT IN
SOMETHING YOU CAN ACTUALLY USE
AND ENJOY.
>> YOU'RE SEEING THE TARGET A
LOT BETTER.
>> RIGHT.
THAT L.C. JUST SHOT BEAUTIFULLY.
PULL!
FOR ME, IT'S WORTH EVERY PENNY.
OK, ALL RIGHT, LET'S GO.
>> SUPER. LET'S GO.
>> FIRST ROUND'S ON ME.
>> SO, IT ONLY TOOK ME 2 DAYS TO
FIGURE OUT HOW TO DRIVE THIS
DAMN CAR, AND NOW I HAVE TO
LEAVE AND GIVE IT BACK.
WE'RE LEAVING THE INN AT PERRY
CABIN. ONE FINAL DRIVE THROUGH
ST. MICHAELS. CLUTCH DEFINITELY
HAS A SWEET SPOT.
[CLUTCH CLICKS]
RIGHT THERE.
I FEEL PRETTY GOOD ABOUT ALL
THAT I WAS ABLE TO PACK INTO MY
WEEKEND ON THE EASTERN SHORE.
NOW I CAN SAY I'VE TROTLINED
WITH A REAL CHESAPEAKE BAY
WATERMAN. I'VE LEARNED THAT A
DIET OF STRICTLY BLUE CRAB AND
BEER SEEMS TO AGREE WITH ME.
I GOT A BEAUTIFUL CUSTOM L.C.
SMITH TO ADD TO MY COLLECTION
AND A GREAT STORY TO GO ALONG
WITH IT. AND I GOT TO MEET A NEW
GENERATION OF BOAT BUILDERS
PRESERVING A PIECE OF LOCAL
HERITAGE.
[GEAR GRINDS]
OHH!
I PUT PLENTY OF MILES ON THIS
MG, SO I'M GONNA GAS UP ON MY
WAY OUT OF TOWN, JUST TO BE
SAFE.
>> THESE ARE AWESOME.
>> THIS IS AN MG, 1950 MG.
>> THIS GOT THE ORIGINAL ENGINE?
>> YEAH.
>> HIGH TEST.
>> PUT THE HIGH TEST IN?
>> HIGH TEST.
>> WHY USE THE HIGH TEST OVER
THE UNLEADED? JUST BURN CLEANER?
>> IT'S A HIGH COMPRESSION
ENGINE. IT'S NOT A LOW
COMPRESSION ENGINE. PURE AND
SIMPLE. I BUILD 'EM FOR A
LIVING.
>> SO, WHAT WAS THE MOST
FAVORITE CAR THAT YOU EVER OWNED
AND DROVE?
>> '69 TORINO COBRA.
>> WHAT COLOR? GREEN?
>> BLACK.
>> BLACK.
>> TAKE A 2-SECOND WALK, I'LL
SHOW YOU SOMETHING.
>> ALL RIGHT, LET'S GO.
CLASSIC CARS ARE ALWAYS A
CONVERSATION STARTER. DAN DIXON
RESTORED HIS FIRST HOT ROD, A
1949 FORD CLUB COUPE, AS A
TEENAGER.
HE MOVED TO THE EASTERN SHORE
SOME 40 YEARS AGO, AND IN THE
BACK OF HIS PLACE, HE'S GOT A
GIANT COLLECTION OF OLD MOTORS,
TRANSMISSIONS, AND OTHER MISFIT
GEAR HEAD TOYS.
WOW! LOOK AT THIS SHOP, DUDE.
>> THIS WENT INTO AN OYSTER CRAB
FISHING BOAT. THAT WAS A 1974
LINCOLN TOWN CAR. IT'S A 464.
AND SHE'S PUNCHED 40,000. IT'S
AN RVCAM, SEMIHYDRAULIC CRANES.
>> WAIT. MY HEAD'S SPINNING.
WHAT WAS THAT?
>> HA HA HA!
>> SO, WHAT DO YOU FISH WITH
THIS BIG OFFSHORE RIG?
>> ANYTHING THAT WANTS TO BITE
THE OTHER END.
YOU'RE HOLDING JUST ABOUT A
GRAND.
>> HERE YOU GO, DAD. TAKE THAT
AWAY FROM ME BEFORE I DROP IT.
OK, NOW, TELL ME IF THIS IS
RIGHT. ST. MICHAELS WAS THE TOWN
THAT FOOLED THE BRITISH, RIGHT?
>> YEAH.
>> THE BRITISH WERE OFF THE
COAST IN NAVY SHIPS, RIGHT?
>> MM-HMM.
>> SO, THE TOWN PUT LANTERNS...
>> THEY TOOK ALL THE LANTERNS
OUT OF TOWN. THEY PUT ALL THE
LANTERNS DOWN IN MARTINGHAM.
THEY HUNG THE LANTERNS ON THE
TREES IN MARTINGHAM. THEY
THOUGHT THAT WAS IT.
>> SO THEY BOMBED ALL THE
LANTERNS IN THE TREES, WHICH
SAVED THE TOWN.
>> MM-HMM.
IF I CAN FIND IT, I'LL SHOW YOU
ONE OF THEIR CANNONBALLS.
>> AMAZING.
>> ONE OF THEIR CANNONBALLS, I
DUG OUT OF A TREE.
>> HOLY [BLEEP]!
I HAD HEARD THAT STORY ABOUT ST.
MICHAELS, BUT I NEVER THOUGHT I
WOULD SEE A CANNONBALL THAT WAS
INVOLVED IN THE BOMBARDMENT OF
THE TOWN.
SO, THAT'S A BRITISH CANNONBALL.
>> THAT'S A BRITISH CANNONBALL
COME OUT OF AN AMERICAN YELLOW
PINE.
>> OH, REALLY?
>> SOMETHING AS MUNDANE AS
FILLING UP FOR GAS BECOMES THIS
GATEWAY INTO THIS INNER SANCTUM
OF DAN'S WORLD. THAT'S AMAZING.
DON'T LEAVE BEFORE I COME BACK.
>> HA HA!
>> ALL RIGHT, SEE YOU LATER.
>> BE CAREFUL. YOU'RE GOING OUT
THERE WITH THE IDIOTS. I'M
STAYING IN HERE.
>> UNTIL NEXT TIME.
HISTORY IS A LIVING THING ON THE
EASTERN SHORE. IT'S A BRITISH
CANNONBALL IN THE BACK ROOM OF A
GAS STATION. TIME MARCHES ON,
BUT PEOPLE AROUND HERE JUST KEEP
DOING THINGS THE WAY THEY'VE
ALWAYS DONE.
[GUNSHOT]
OHH! DEAD BIRD.