“Cold Water Cowboys” follows a group of spirited Newfoundland captains and their crews as they venture hundreds of kilometres offshore in the North Atlantic in search of the ultimate catch – and husband and wife Michelle and Andre Jesso are no exception. The show returns for a second season with the captains facing the worst winter Newfoundland has seen in 30 years – with stretches of ice that run 280 miles long, the crews will once again be pitted against the unpredictable forces of Mother Nature as they head out in search of the ultimate catch.
This season fans will meet newcomers, the Jesso’s – the couple talked about getting used to the camera crews and what it was like for Michelle to be “Cold Water Cowboys’” first female First Mate.
The second season of “Cold Water Cowboys” premieres on Tuesday, March 10th at 10pm on Discovery.
CraveOnline: So you’re newcomers to the show… how was the experience?
Michelle Jesso: It was an awesome experience. It was different. We had two more fellas on our boat that we had to learn to work around and they had to learn to work around us. Having someone in your face was a bit challenging but after awhile you get used to it. I can remember one time I forgot about the cameramen and I got restless and I was sitting on Andre’s chair doing exercises and there was a camera in my face! You tend to forget.
What’s it like being the first female First Mate on the show?
This is normal for me. I don’t feel no pressure. It is what it is and I am who I am. There a lot more women in the fishery than people realize.
Would you say fishing is still “a man’s industry,” or are more women joining the ranks?
It’s still a man’s world… you still get the old-school guys and a lot still believe women should be at home.
Andre, do you feel more pressure to protect your crew because your wife is on it?
When we set sail that’s always my responsibility: to keep everyone safe and get them back home as safe as possible. It comes with the job. Me and Michelle have been fishing for 30+ years so it’s a normal routine for us. In the last few years we have had to hire a crew that we didn’t have before because we can’t handle all the work just the two of us.
What is the most challenging thing about your work?
Finding fish. Keeping the crew safe and finding fish, because at the end of the day you need income. You might love your job but if there’s no pay involved you can’t survive. Me and Michelle have worked together for years and I don’t know if we could do anything else. It’s just a part of our life.
