Huntsville Times: Fishing For Stories

The boat was built by California-based artist Wes Modes, who is traveling America’s rivers to document the stories and history of people who live and work along the rivers. And he’d love to know who he should talk to.  “The best contacts that we have are people along the river who say ‘Oh, you’ve got to talk to this person, they’re amazing'” Modes said.  Modes said they have collected more than 150 hours of video interviews so far on their expeditions. (Courtesy Wes Modes)

Last year, Modes took his shantyboat down the Mississippi River, starting in Minneapolis, Minn., and ending near St. Louis, Mo.  This year, he’s floating down the Tennessee River. He started in Knoxville, Tenn. and crossed into northern Alabama on Monday, July 18, 2016. Modes is planning to finish his journey in Paducah, Kentucky by the end of August.  (Courtesy Wes Modes)

While on his journey, Modes is recording interviews with people who’ve spent their lives living and working on the river. This photo is from an interview with Ben Duncan, 91, of Duncan’s Boat Dock near Knoxville, Tenn. (Courtesy Wes Modes)

Modes and the crew do get to have fun and stay cool while out on the river. Here, shipsmate Lauren Benzy leaps into the Tennessee River.  (Courtesy Wes Modes)

Modes built his shantyboat based on historical riverboats like this one. “A lot of people in the mid-20th century and even 19th century were building these barge-bottom house boats,” Modes said. “It literally looks like a barge, but small.” (Courtesy Wes Modes)

Modes says the boat looks a little like a chicken coop.  That’s probably because it’s partly built from an actual chicken coop.  “I got all the materials from the dump or reclaimed sources,” Modes said. “We even disassembled an old chicken coop to use the materials from it.” (Courtesy Wes Modes)

The shantyboat usually doesn’t travel more than about 20 miles in a day, with its small, 15-horsepower motor. That gives the crew — Modes, Lauren Benzy and Hazel — more time to explore the areas around the river and meet people who live there.  (Courtesy Wes Modes)