Roddy and
Mike Grimshaw
FV LADY LYNN
LOBSTER AND CONCH
Mike Grimshaw started lobstering out of Stonington in 1971 as a highschool sophomore. His son Roddy couldn't wait that long, and started half days on the water with his dad while still in kindergarten, learning the career he planned to follow.
Flash forward some 20 years and the Grimshaws are still at it, hauling traps from F/V Lady Lynn, Mike's 50-year old Bruno Stillman, working the outgoing tide in Block Island Sound three days a week or so. When Mike was a kid he'd set traps off Stonington's breakwater, but lobsters now prefer the colder waters further out. The hauls are smaller than they used to be, and some say sweeter. To augment the catch, Roddy's now licensed to expand the business with another seafood delicacy: Conch.
Conch up here are large marine snails, particularly Channeled Whelks or "Smoothies." An increasingly important fishery from Cape Cod to Florida, they've been a delicacy in Quebec (bourgot,) Europe (scungilli, borgoña) and Asia (Japanese tsubu) for a long time. The flavor profile is like cherrystone clam, briny and sweet with a pleasant bite. They are easy to prepare: just boil whole whelks in salted water for four minutes and they're ready for use, in shell or out. You will find literally thousands of recipes on Google for scungilli, bourgot, borgoña and tsubu.
BUY OFF THE BOAT, cash or CC.
Mike and Roddy are happy to supply you with lobsters and/or conch! Call or text Roddy's cell phone a few days in advance: (860) 608-2625. Tell him how many lobsters or conch you need and when, leave your name and contact information. Plan on meeting Lady Lynn at Fishermen's Dock South, and paying cash or credit card. There’s a minimum order of two lobsters, but that can change so check with Roddy first.
Good fishing to them…
And good dining to you!