Lenny and Danny Koch
Long Island Traditions
Folklorist Nancy Solomon has documented the maritime culture of Long Island through these interviews spanning the years 1987 – 2016. The collection includes baymen, fishermen, boat builders and other maritime tradition bearers.
National Capital Contracting
On May 6, 1987, Nancy Solomon interviewed brothers Lenny and Danny Koch as part of the Long Island Traditions Oral History Collection. Lenny and Danny grew up in Baldwin, New York, where their family developed deep ties to the boating and fishing industries. Their grandfather was a captain and their father, along with many other relatives, worked as a fisherman in the region. Lenny’s career along the eastern seaboard has included diverse activities, from shrimping in Florida to dragging off the Connecticut shoreline. Lenny eventually became skilled in net-making and discusses the processes of constructing, sizing, and repairing nets. During their conversation, Lenny emphasizes the importance of proper design to achieve successful catches; nets are ideally tailored to specific fish species and their characteristics. He also explains how the materials of net webbing have changed over time, with nylon and other synthetics replacing knitted twine over the course of the twentieth century. Lenny also provides insights on various fishing techniques, the impact of weather on fishing, encounters with whales and sharks, and the challenges faced by fishermen in an evolving industry. Finally, Lenny speaks to his relationships with other local fishermen and netmakers, along with the knowledge and qualities he deems most important for a successful fisherman.
On May 27, 1987, Nancy Solomon recorded a second session with Lenny and Danny Koch. During this interview, 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 as well as property leases and building regulations in the area. Lenny’s home was the site of numerous social gatherings, and the brothers recall preparing meals and hunting ducks in the wintertime. The discussion sheds light on some of the social dynamics among fishermen and within the Koch’s broader coastal community. Lenny also speaks to the shifts in the fishing industry wrought by the arrival of sports fishing and pollution.
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