On July 18, 1992, Marguerite Holloway interviewed Alfred Lawless in Saugerties, New York, as part of a project for the Hudson River Maritime Museum. The interview covers Lawless's life as a fisherman on the Hudson River, focusing on shad fishing traditions, family involvement in the fishing industry, and his reflections on environmental changes and regulatory challenges. Lawless describes his decades-long experiences fishing alongside his father and later his son, highlighting generational knowledge and the evolving nature of fish populations, including shad, sturgeon, and stripers. He discusses the impact of state regulations on fishing practices, including limitations on striped bass and the challenges of navigating permits and fines. The conversation also addresses environmental shifts in the Hudson River, such as the return of species like blue crabs and flounder, which Lawless associates with improved water conditions. He reflects on the historical pollution of the river and its effect on public perception of fish safety. The interview includes insights into fishing techniques, equipment maintenance, and boatbuilding, as well as anecdotes about local fishing communities and the economic pressures of maintaining a livelihood in a changing industry.