John Remsen Sr. is a seasoned bayman and fisherman who was born in Freeport in 1933. Coming from a lineage of fishermen, with both his father and grandfather being involved in the trade, John developed a deep connection to the ocean from an early age. He assisted his great grandfather, Alanson Ellison, in haul-seining on the ocean before it was outlawed in 1942. At the age of 12, John began selling clams to local families, starting with a rowboat and eventually upgrading to a motorboat. In Freeport, Baldwin, Seaford, and other nearby towns, there were approximately 30 to 40 full-time clam diggers at the time.

Scope and Content Note
The conversation with Nancy Solomon touches upon various aspects of John's fishing experiences, including the building of boats, the impact of pollution on the bay, the use of DDT for mosquito control, the decline and recovery of fish populations, and the effects of sewage treatment plants on the bay's health. John expresses his concerns about the changing dynamics of the fishing industry, attributing the decline in the number of baymen to excessive rules and regulations. He reflects on his own fishing ventures, from being a dragger fisherman to the challenges of meeting permits, paperwork, and diminishing returns in the face of rising costs.During the 1950s, the industry underwent significant transformations. Baymen who could afford skiffs turned to gill netting, which offered higher earnings. John discusses some notable baymen from that era, such as "Old Wink Carman" and the Matthews in Freeport, who were renowned for their expertise in harvesting mussels, steamers, and crabs. While some fishermen specialized in a particular type of seafood, most baymen, including John, engaged in multiple activities to adapt to the changing market demands. John emphasizes the need for flexibility in fishing, as the availability of various species fluctuated over time. He shares his experiences of catching flounder in the spring, weakfish in April, bluefish in June, fluke and bluefish in September, and striped bass in the fall. John vividly recalls the challenges of dealing with the ferocious bluefish, particularly when they would bite the net, requiring quick action. Killeying, the practice of catching killies (a type of baitfish), played a significant role in John's fishing endeavors. Working with his father, they initially used a skimmer boat and later transitioned to wire pots they built themselves. They would catch and sell killies to customers in Long Beach, Jones Beach, and Captree State Park. Eventually, killeying became their sole focus, and they had a limited number of customers to ensure a consistent supply. They would take time off from other work to catch enough killies for peak demand periods, such as the Fourth of July. John Remsen Sr.'s story highlights the rich history and challenges faced by baymen and fishermen like him. It sheds light on the profound changes in the fishing industry over the years and emphasizes the need for sustainable practices and local support to preserve and revitalize the trade for future generations.