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Catching A Deckload of Dreams- Chuck Bundrant and the Story of Trident Seafoods

Catching A Deckload of Dreams- Chuck Bundrant and the Story of Trident Seafoods

By Analise Gonzales

The story of Chuck Bundrant and Trident Seafoods is more than a business biography. Its a tale of true grit, salt air, and danger. The stories are told by those who pioneered the fisheries, bucked the political tides, built the Alaska Seafood Industry, and literally risked their lives to do it!
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Epilogue: The Next Generation

Catching A Deckload of Dreams- Chuck Bundrant and the Story of Trident SeafoodsOct 26, 2021

00:00
16:14
Epilogue: The Next Generation

Epilogue: The Next Generation

Trident Seafoods was founded on Chuck Bundrant's vision of combining "talented people, lasting relationships and quality seafood...from the source to the plate."

Our friend, boss, and founder passed away on October 17th. He was a true inspiration and His legacy will live on.

We invite you to pull up a chair and hear from his son, and Trident's CEO Joe Bundrant, as he reads the Epilogue written in 2013: The Next Generation. 

Oct 26, 202116:14
Chapter 1: North to Alaska

Chapter 1: North to Alaska

The story of Trident Seafoods begins in 1961, when a 19-year-old kid with nothing but a dream drove an old Ford from Tennessee to Seattle, in search of a great adventure at sea.

Bundrant could never have imagined how far that little “adventure” was going to take him.



The audio material used in Catching a Deckload of Dreams author: John VanAmerogen's reading for this episode was produced at Green Frog Productions located on Vashon Island, Washington. 

Oct 20, 202136:30
The Foreword: featuring Joe Bundrant

The Foreword: featuring Joe Bundrant

When people ask about Trident Seafoods, many ask about the numbers. However, the real story of Trident is the story of Trident people.

Join Trident's CEO, Joe Bundrant, as he provides some insight into Trident and the People through the Mission and the Foreword from Catching a Deckload of Dreams.



The audio material used in Joe Bundrant's reading for this episode was produced at Studio Sage in Edmonds, Washington. 

Oct 20, 202109:46
Chapter 33: Fishing with Dad

Chapter 33: Fishing with Dad

Pull up a chair and join Chuck's daughters: Jill and Julie as they reflect on some of their favorite memories of fishing with their dad! 

Apr 01, 202118:12
Chapter 32: Catcher-Processors

Chapter 32: Catcher-Processors

Pull up a chair and join John Van Am for Chapter 32: Catcher-Processors, Floating a Fortune

Mar 18, 202134:51
Chapter 31: The View from Akutan

Chapter 31: The View from Akutan

Pull up a chair and join John Van Am for Chapter 31, the View from Akutan- love it or leave it! 

Mar 04, 202111:49
Chapter 30: Sand Point

Chapter 30: Sand Point

Pull up a chair and join John VanAm for Chapter 30, Sand Point. 

Feb 17, 202136:12
Chapter 29: Class Action in the Bay

Chapter 29: Class Action in the Bay

Credibility is the quality of being trusted and believed in.

One of the biggest things Chuck wanted to pass on to the next generation is to maintain your credibility- no matter who you are doing business with. 

Listen in to gain some insight into how this characteristic was deeply ingrained through the Class Action In the Bay

Feb 03, 202117:42
Chapter 28: The Twists and the Turns

Chapter 28: The Twists and the Turns

Pull Up a Chair and join John VanAm for Chapter 28: The Twists and the Turns, my plant or yours? 

Jan 06, 202142:09
40 Years of Gratitude: Diane Bundrant

40 Years of Gratitude: Diane Bundrant

During this season of gratitude, we want to honor a fundamental contributor to the Trident Family - Diane Bundrant.

In honor of Diane’s 40th anniversary we invite you to pull up a chair, as she reflects on the unforgettable memories from the summer of 1982. The adventures she shares kicked off her remarkable journey with Chuck.

Congratulations Grandma Diane and thank you for an amazing 40 years!

Nov 23, 202016:09
Chapter 27: Buy Low - Sell High

Chapter 27: Buy Low - Sell High

As we have learned, Chuck has such a hungry nature and he is always eager for more- more information, more fish, more sales….  His busy nature would often leave him physically hungry as well! 

Listen in, to gain some insight on how this may have played a role in helping close a key sale.

Nov 11, 202020:53
Chapter 26: Enter Surimi

Chapter 26: Enter Surimi

Pull up a chair and join John Van Am to gain some insight into how Trident Seafood's entered the Surimi market with the support of Chris Riley.

Oct 28, 202038:34
Chapter 25: The Herring Circuit

Chapter 25: The Herring Circuit

Pull up a chair and join us for Chapter 25: The Herring Circuit, gambling on silver in the ice. 

Oct 01, 202025:41
Chapter 24: Acquisitions of the '80s

Chapter 24: Acquisitions of the '80s

At times we didn’t have pocketbook to back up Chuck’s dream and vision of expansion…This was until we partnered with ConAgra; allowing Trident to have the capital to acquire, implement and reinvest where we needed it.

Pull up a chair to gain some insight into our merger with ConAgra and how it help fund some of our Acquisitions in the '80s.

Sep 16, 202031:57
Chapter: 23 Fire at Akutan

Chapter: 23 Fire at Akutan

Akutan, Alaska holds a special place in the hearts of the Trident Family. Listen in to Chapter 23, to learn how we almost lost this significant piece of our story, when the Fire at Akutan occurred in the summer of 1983.

Sep 02, 202014:27
Chapter 22: The Salt Cod Fiasco

Chapter 22: The Salt Cod Fiasco

Pull up a chair and join John Van Am to learn about the Salt Cod Fiasco. 

Aug 20, 202019:19
Chapter 21: Fish Fights Turn Inward

Chapter 21: Fish Fights Turn Inward

Pull up a chair for Chapter 21 to gain some understanding around an instrumental piece of the seafood industry: The American Fisheries Act. This act helped to eliminate the race for fish and allowed the opportunity to refocus operations on both product quality and value.

Aug 05, 202034:56
Chapter 20: American Fish - American Fishermen

Chapter 20: American Fish - American Fishermen

Join John Van Am as he reads Chapter 20: American Fish - American Fishermen, Cutting the foreigners loose. 

Jul 15, 202020:02
Chapter 19: The Famous Fly-By

Chapter 19: The Famous Fly-By

The Donut Hole was a triangle of international waters that was a haven for foreign vessels harvesting Alaska Pollock. Beyond the 200- mile jurisdictions of the US and Russia, it offered legal harvesters an unregulated area to fish and provided fish privates with a convenient place to escape enforcement.

Listen in to learn a bit more about the Donut Hole along with what lead to its closure in 1994.

Jul 01, 202019:19
Chapter 18: Breakfast with Ted

Chapter 18: Breakfast with Ted

Join John VanAm for Chapter 18: Breakfast with Ted 

Jun 17, 202014:04
Chapter 17: The Big Russian

Chapter 17: The Big Russian

Pull up a chair and join us for chapter 17 to learn about the scout, powerful, and fast fleet of 'Big Russian' Gillnetters. 

Jun 03, 202015:49
Chapter 16: First Response

Chapter 16: First Response

At Trident Safety is at the forefront of all that we do.

With a fleet of fishing boats and processors spread out over hundreds of miles of ocean communication and safety is key.

Listen in to gain some understanding of the importance of First Response, urgent care in the air.

May 20, 202019:53
Chapter 15: Helicopters

Chapter 15: Helicopters

Over the years, Trident has owned or leased several Helicopters. Listen in to gain some insight into how these delicate workhorses have been such an asset to us.




May 06, 202021:27
Chapter 14: Diane Bundrant

Chapter 14: Diane Bundrant

Pull up a chair and Join our Special guest Diane Bundrant for chapter 14, as she shares some unforgettable memories from the summer of 1982.


The audio material used in Diane Bundrant's reading for this episode was produced at Studio Sage in Edmonds, Washington.

Apr 22, 202015:33
Chapter 13: Cash Buying 101

Chapter 13: Cash Buying 101

1989 marked a full decade of Trident successfully operating in the Bay. 


As Trident continued to build a credible foundation; the cash slowly started to disappear from the pilothouses and galleys of Trident processors and tenders. Fishermen came to recognize that a Tridents check was, and still is a check that will clear the bank.


Join John Van Am for Chapter 13 to gain some understanding into the unforgettable cash stories that helped shape the industry.

Apr 08, 202025:39
Chapter 12: Moving into the Bay

Chapter 12: Moving into the Bay

Edd Perry is another one of the Trident Cornerstones.

He built San Juan Seafoods out of Bellingham, WA; and joined forces with Chuck in 1976. Similar to many of the Trident Cornerstones, Perry was able to incorporate his hands-on rubber boot, and dead fish training.

Join John Van Am to learn more about Perry, as well as the early days of Moving into Bristol Bay.

Mar 25, 202058:51
Chapter 11: Bristol Bay Salmon

Chapter 11: Bristol Bay Salmon

1978 was the first year that Trident embarked on its Salmon processing efforts.


Listen in to gain a deeper understanding into what the early days of Bristol Bay Salmon processing entailed.

Mar 11, 202027:15
Chapter 10: On the Road

Chapter 10: On the Road

Its one thing to catch fish, it’s another to sell it.

Join us for chapter 10, to learn about the early days of selling fish.




The audio material used in John Van Amerogen's reading for this episode was produced at Green Frog Productions, located on Vashon Island, Washington. 

Feb 26, 202016:03
Chapter 9: Getting Stuck

Chapter 9: Getting Stuck

When traveling to Alaska Its not a matter of if you will get stuck, it’s a matter of when.

Join us to gain insight into Alaska’s rugged geography, and why it can be logistically challenging.




The audio material used in John VanAmerogen's reading for this episode was produced at Green Frog Productions, located on Vashon Island, Washington. 

Feb 12, 202052:41
Chapter 8: The Bountiful

Chapter 8: The Bountiful

Those of you who know Chuck, know patience isn’t his strength. In the late 1970’s lines were long at West Coast shipyards for those eager to build Alaska king crabbers.

Instead of waiting to build The Bountiful, Chuck and His partners Mike Jacobson and Kaare Ness contracted with Maxon Marine, a barge marker on the Ohio river in Tell City, Indiana ---600 miles from salt water, and thousands of miles from Alaska.

Listen in to learn about how Bundrant and his partners had to buy the shipyard out of bankruptcy to complete The Bountiful.

Jan 29, 202014:44
Chapter 7: Jimmy McManus

Chapter 7: Jimmy McManus

Similar to Trident Seafoods founder, Jimmy McManus comes from humble and hungry roots; spending his childhood serving his family farm.

His love for fishing commenced in the 70’s, as he quickly worked his way up to a licensed captain. During his active fishing career, he operated various vessels in the crab, trawl and salmon fisheries targeting anything that swam or crawled.

Listen in to learn a bit more about this jack of all trades!




The Audio Material used in John VanAmerogen's reading for this episode was produced at Green Frog Productions, located on Vashon Island, Washington. 

Jan 15, 202025:12
Chapter 6: Kaare's Salvation

Chapter 6: Kaare's Salvation

Happy New Year!


As we embark on a New Year, we often outline goals for the year ahead. Chuck seemed to always have a vision and a goal in place. This helped him connect with two other like-minded crab fishermen in the early 1970s- Kaare Ness and Mike Jacobson.


This week we will gain some perspective into one of the founding partners of Trident, Kaare Ness. Pull up a chair to learn how Ness got his start, along with how he was saved by Grace.




The audio material used in John VanAmerogen's reading for this episode was produced at Green Frog Productions, located on Vashon Island, Washington. 

Jan 01, 202021:37
Chapter 5: Life Aboard the Billikin

Chapter 5: Life Aboard the Billikin

The Billikin was considered to be lucky from the get-go. Taking its name from a native Alaskan good luck charm, which is painted on its bow. The Billikin set sail for Alaska in 1973 with the future of Trident Seafoods riding with it. 


Listen in to gain some insight into what life was like aboard the Billikin. 



The audio material used in John VanAmerogen's reading for this episode was produced at Green Frog Products, located on Vashon Island, Washington. 

Dec 18, 201924:24
Chapter 4: Horse Trading

Chapter 4: Horse Trading

Those who are familiar with Trident Seafoods, recognize Chuck Bundrant, Mike Jacobson, and Kaare Ness as the three founding partners of the company. 

For all practical purposes, and for simplicity’s sake that is the story. Listen in to gain some insight into exactly how and when the three got together to become exclusive partners in Trident. 


The audio material used in John VanAmerogen's reading for this episode was produced at Green Frog Productions, located on Vashon Island, Washington. 

Dec 04, 201929:41
Thanksgiving Special: A Place at the Table

Thanksgiving Special: A Place at the Table

Chuck Bundrant has always said, if we take care of our customers, our employees, and our fishermen- the rest will take care of itself.

During this special holiday season, we are especially thankful for you. Trident would not be who we are today, and where we are today- without you.

We invite you to pull up a chair to learn more about John VanAm’s first encounters with Chuck, how he joined the Trident family, and how he got asked to author this book.

Happy Thanksgiving to you and thank you for taking a seat at our table for this epic journey.



The audio material used in John VanAmerogen's reading for this episode was produced at Green Frog Productions, located on Vashon Island, Washington.

Nov 26, 201910:30
Chapter 3: Seal Hunting

Chapter 3: Seal Hunting

In 1959, Alaska Became a state. Here at Trident, Alaska is our lifeblood, and with 34,000 miles of coastline and pristine waters, it’s no surprise that commercial fisheries help fuel the state’s economic engine. We understand that fish is not something we own. Its something that has been entrusted with our care.


Listen in, to gain some insight into what life was like for Chuck in Alaska before Trident was around; as author John VanAmerogen reads Chapter 3: Seal Hunting.



The audio material used in John VanAmerogen's reading for this episode was produced at Green Frog Productions, located on Vashon Island, Washington. 

Nov 20, 201911:51
Chapter 2: The Burch Brothers

Chapter 2: The Burch Brothers

Chuck Bundrant is a dreamer, with legendary work ethic. Always remaining humble and hungry; crediting his success to being in the right place, at the right time. 

Listen in to see how timing plays in his favor, as author of Catching a Deckload of Dreams, John VanAmerongen reads Chapter 2: The Burch Brothers.



The audio material used in John VanAmerongen's reading for this episode was produced at Green Frog Products, located on Vashon Island, Washington. 



Nov 06, 201926:15
Coming Soon: Catching a Deckload of Dreams Podcast

Coming Soon: Catching a Deckload of Dreams Podcast

Trident Seafoods is in existence today because of Chuck Bundrant who pioneered the ultimate blue ocean

Join Analise Gonzales, John Van Amerongen, and some special guests, as we unveil the chapters of Catching a Deckload of Dreams the Story of Chuck Bundrant and Trident Seafoods.

Oct 11, 201900:50