Lenny and Danny Koch hail from a family deeply rooted in the fishing industry. Their relatives were fishermen, and their father transitioned to working for an oil company, running yachts along the coast. Growing up in Baldwin, New York, Lenny and Danny were surrounded by their grandparents and great-grandparents, who also had ties to the fishing tradition. Their grandfather operated charter and party boats, establishing a family legacy spanning over six decades. Lenny and Danny's maternal grandparents originated from Ukraine, although they did not have a background in net making. Lenny developed an interest in net making and learned the craft from others. He became skilled at repairing and altering pre-made nets, performing extensive work on them. He also gained expertise in creating nets from scratch by purchasing webbing made of nylon, which was dipped in a preservative. Traditional materials like nylon and dacron were commonly used in net making, but Lenny discovered that before 1900, twine was knitted together. He observed that the Italian fishermen he worked with had their wives perform this task. While Lenny is primarily focused on net making, he also spends significant time working on boats. He temporarily left the net-making business but now devotes most of his attention to boat-related endeavors.

Scope and Content Note
The recorded conversation with Lenny and Danny Koch covers various aspects of their lives and experiences in the fishing industry. The content includes discussions on net making, fishing techniques, the impact of weather on fishing, encounters with whales and sharks, and the challenges faced by fishermen. Lenny provides detailed insights into the process of net making, including repairing nets, creating nets from scratch, and the materials used. Lenny is well-versed in various aspects of net making, including piecing nets together, determining net sizes, and understanding the design principles behind different net types. He emphasizes the importance of proper design to achieve successful catches, tailoring the nets to specific fish species and their characteristics. Lenny's knowledge and experience in fishing are not limited to net making. He highlights the significance of geographical knowledge and seeks to expand his understanding of different fishing spots. Lenny enjoys interacting with fellow fishermen and sharing stories and experiences. He has engaged in diverse fishing activities, such as shrimping in Florida and dragging off the Connecticut shore. The conversation also touches on the significance of family traditions and the evolving nature of the fishing industry. Lenny and Danny share stories about their family's bay house on Meadow Island and its historical significance. They describe the characteristics of bay houses, the activities they engaged in while there, and the changes in the surrounding areas over time. The conversation covers topics such as duck hunting, cooking, and social dynamics among fishermen. The conversation includes Lenny and Danny Koch's personal experiences, their observations of the fishing industry, and their connection to the coastal communities in which they live. The brothers provide valuable insights into the traditional practices, challenges, and changes in the fishing industry, as well as the cultural significance of fishing to the Koch family and their community.