'Deadliest Catch' Captain Phil Harris On Cornelia Marie

Piloting the crab boat "Cornelia Marie" through the troubled waters of the Bering Sea may be less hazardous than wading through the waves of fans that showed up Friday night to meet Capt. Phil Harris of the Discovery Channel's popular reality show "Deadliest Catch" at Poppy's Fish, Poultry & More.

More than 500 Morgan Hill residents and outsiders visited the downtown market to meet and have their picture taken with the crusty commercial fisherman, known for his easy-going manner.Harris, 51, has spent more than half of his life at sea, with 16 years on the Cornelia Marie and more than 30 years as a commercial fisherman. His new position as spokesman for Alaskan Amber beer is what prompted his visit to Morgan Hill.

The visit was the only Northern California stop for the captain, who lives in Seattle when he is not at sea. He and Michael Castelan, owner of Poppy's, have several things in common. They are third or fourth generation fishermen and hail from the Puget Sound area.Morgan Hill Mayor Steve Tate, former Mayor Dennis Kennedy, City Councilman Larry Carr and former San Francisco 49ers football player Randy Kirk joined the crowds filing in and out of Poppy's Friday night.