Captain Keith Colburn Brings His Son Aboard The Wizard For Mentoring | Deadliest Catch

A Greenhorn’s First Taste of the Bering Sea: The Challenges of a Fisherman’s Life

In the unforgiving waters of the Bering Sea, the stakes are always high. Captain Keith Curn of the Wizard knows this all too well, and with the start of the winter season, he’s faced with a new challenge: guiding his 20-year-old son, Kayin, through his first fishing trip. The treacherous environment of the Bering Sea, with its immense power and unpredictability, is not for the faint-hearted. For Kayin, the journey is a steep learning curve, filled with both physical and emotional trials.

As the Wizard reaches the grounds for its first set of the season, Captain Keith gives his son a few simple but critical pieces of advice: “Never take your feet off the deck, shuffle along, and make sure all that line is where you can see it.” The warnings are more than just practical tips for fishing; they are life-saving guidelines that highlight the dangers lurking beneath the surface. The advice is further reinforced by Keith’s brother, Uncle Monty, who reminds Kayin that “every second counts” when working on the deck of the boat, especially during the frantic pace of the season.

Despite the experienced advice from his father and uncle, Kayin is still a “greenhorn,” and the reality of the job quickly sets in. On his first day, he struggles to keep up with the fast pace, doing everything he can to avoid slowing the crew down. Yet, as the day drags on, fatigue starts to take its toll. “The first day is hard, the second day is misery,” Captain Keith reflects, aware that the real challenge for his son is yet to come.

In addition to the intense physical labor, Kayin soon faces the harsh reality of seasickness—a rite of passage for many greenhorns. “He doesn’t look too good,” one of the crew members remarks as Kayin’s face turns a ghostly shade of green. Yet, in true fisherman fashion, Captain Keith offers practical advice: “He’ll be fine. He’ll drink a bunch of water and stay hydrated. I’m not going to be the mother hen, but I need to stay focused on the job.” Captain Keith’s ability to balance his fatherly instincts with his role as a captain is put to the test as he navigates the dual responsibilities of keeping the boat on course while watching over his son.

Kayin’s first set of pots doesn’t bring in the promising results they had hoped for. As the first pot comes up with very little catch, Captain Keith can’t help but feel the pressure. “I don’t want him to see me have the worst 50-pot opening set I can ever remember having,” he admits. For a father who has spent decades at sea, the idea of failure weighs heavily, and he wants to set a positive example for his son.

As the night progresses, Kayin continues to push through his exhaustion, trying to prove that he is capable of enduring the grueling work that comes with life at sea. “It’s all about gutting it out,” Keith says, as Kayin’s struggle with seasickness becomes a physical battle. “He’ll get through it, one hurdle at a time.” The journey ahead promises more challenges, but it’s clear that both father and son are determined to weather the storm together.

In addition to the daily grind of setting and hauling pots, Keith also takes a moment to reflect on the importance of safety. In an old video from the Curn family archives, Keith shares a message from the U.S. Coast Guard about the importance of wearing a life jacket while boating. “90% of people who drown in recreational boating accidents weren’t wearing a life jacket,” Keith warns. It’s a reminder that even experienced fishermen must always be vigilant about safety.

For Kayin, this first fishing trip is not just about learning the ropes of the job. It’s about learning the resilience needed to face the relentless demands of the Bering Sea. As he battles fatigue, seasickness, and the inevitable setbacks, he is learning what it truly means to be a fisherman—and the Curn family’s legacy on the Wizard is being passed down, one lesson at a time.

While the season’s challenges are just beginning, the bonds between father and son are growing stronger with each wave they face together. As the Wizard continues its journey through the Bering Sea, Kayin’s journey as a greenhorn is only starting, and with his father by his side, he is learning firsthand that in this dangerous world, survival is a test of both skill and perseverance.