XS, Kar-Reece and Shangri-La will soon be names known to New Zealand and to the world once Million Dollar Catch goes to air in late February/March.
Shot in September 2008 by Queenstown production company Great Southern Film and Television (GSFT), Million Dollar Catch is a 10-part series which follows seven boats from the Bluff fleet as they fish the CRA8 fishery at the height of last year's bumper crayfishing season.
The CRA8 is New Zealand's largest quota area and includes Fiordland and Stewart Island.
TV3 has already begun advertising the show, screening scenes of the boats operating in heavy seas around Stewart Island and Fiordland. The 68ft XS can be seen punching through mountainous swells in 70 knot winds.
XS skipper Vaughn Fisher said they had "just finished up (working) in bigger seas" near the southern cape of Stewart Island before the scene was shot.
Having seen camera footage from onboard the boats, the helicopter shots "take it to a new height", he said.
Vaughn can trace his sea-legs "right back to the (Ngati) Mamoe canoeists" and to the early European whalers and sealers of the area. His father Dick Fisher started fishing in 1946. Vaughn started fishing on his father's boat Carmelita in 1970, now his sons Slade (22) and Jayce (20) crew for him onboard the XS.
Slade said shooting for Million Dollar Catch was "all positive".
He said had seen three rough cuts of the series and was "excited about how things were going".
"I guess it means a lot for putting Bluff back on the map," he said.
"It should be pretty interesting for the region."
Kar-Reece skipper John Hawkless, a fisherman for 40 years, said the story of fishing in the region was one that could have been told long ago.
"It was always there to be filmed," he said.
"This will be really good for New Zealand and the industry."
John said the camera crew had shot some good footage in bad weather, something Bluff fishermen were used to.
"It's just everyday," he said.
"Fish won't wait for anybody. Fish are always on the move. You've got to be there, on the ball."
"We're all fishing, no big deal," he said.
"Probably what they see is nothing out of the ordinary... just another day at the office."
Skipper Rewi Bull crewed on the Shangri-La for six years before he bought it in May last year.
Rewi said shooting for the show around Milford Sound had been a good experience.
"It was good as; a bit dodgy talking to the camera, that sort of carry on," he said.
"A bit of a laugh really."
While modest about what fame Million Dollar Catch would bring to the fishermen, it could have an upside.
"Might not have to pay for so much beer in the pub."
Executive producer and creator of the show Philip Smith said the series was the story of "skill, hard work and fortitude".
Mr Smith began researching for the show over a year ago while on holiday, after crossing Foveaux Strait in rough seas on way to Stewart Island.
Speaking to boaties on the island he found out "the ones taking the big risks were cray fishermen".
"We soon discovered they were tremendous people . . . who had a great New Zealand story to tell."
Mr Smith said a crew of around 20 from GSFT were based at the Foveaux Hotel in Bluff for two months where they were able to meet the community.
Out on the boats the camera men got the footage they wanted, he said.
"We got the full monty, we got what we wanted, and from the Bluff perspective what they wanted as well.
"The sea water provided stories for us".
Mr Smith said GSFT was committed to the Bluff community and to the series.
"I think you have to be very careful not to exploit a community like Bluff, " he said.
"They've tasted more than their fair share of tragedy. You have to be mindful of that."
Mr Smith was confident the show would do well, with plenty of interest shown in overseas markets.
"(I) wouldn't be surprised if we made four seasons, it's that good."
