“My life as an Islander, a fisherman, that’s an experience all on its own for anyone who doesn’t live on PEI,” says Conohan, who adds that he wanted to share his life and knowledge in a hands- on visitor experience. It was a domino effect of events that led to Along the Edge. In 2015, Conohan had the idea, but didn’t know where to start, so he visited an entrepreneurs’ event. There he met Patsy Gotell of the Rural Action Centre, who then introduced Conohan to her husband Perry of Tranquility Cove Adventures, and Martina MacDonald of the Community Business Development Corporation. Eventually, this led to a meeting with Bill and Mary Kendrick of Experience PEI, and Along the Edge was born. “(They) were interested, so I had to be good enough for their business, and to serve tourists and people from all over the world,” Conohan says. “They came to my place for a three-hour experience and were happy with what they saw; we became partners.” Activities in the Along the Edge experience include making a juniper coaster to take home (known as the “Original Jostr,” or “Original Juniper Coaster”), as well as mussel, oyster, and lobster boils with salad, rolls, tea and coffee, and a dessert. There are other food options if a person wants to take part, but can’t eat or doesn’t like shellfish. “It’s lots of fun,” says Conohan, adding that he uses a not-so-secret way to cook his shellfish: salt water. “Anything that you cook in salt water from the river is so sweet,” he says. “You wouldn’t believe the difference; I have so many people ask me ‘what did you put in them?’”
But Along the Edge guests do more than just eat and watch someone cook shellfish; they also learn a bit about the world just off the Island’s shore. “I tell them I’ve learned a lot on the water, and I’ve seen a lot of things, and we also catch giant bluefin tuna here… we catch them off North Lake Harbour on the north shore of PEI… so we learn about that, and I have lots of pictures and videos,” says Conohan. When asked what else makes his experience unique to others, Conohan praises the thing that led him to Along the Edge: the ocean. “We’ve got a crystal-clear river here; it’s a beautiful place,” he says, adding that, while the location is river-based, it is also close to the ocean. To book an experience with Jim Conohan, contact Experience PEI, or book through their online-book system. Information about some of Along the Edge’s specific experiences can also be found on the Experience PEI website under “Mussel & Lobster Shore Boil” and “Beachcomber’s Clam Boil.” Conohan also offers a “Tong & Shuck” experience at which guests can eat raw oysters.
Experience PEI - Along the Edge W: 902.368.1670 | C: 902.388.4378 adventure@experiencepei.ca www.ExperiencePEI.ca
902.838.4030 www.ruralactioncentres.ca
SPRING 2020 www.pei-living.ca
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