BONNERS FERRY - As the most competitive fishing season on Earth unfolds in Bristol Bay, Alaska, Bonners Ferry native Taran White captains one of the five boats featured on Animal Planet's "Alaska: Battle of the Bay."

The high-stakes fishing drama captures 1,800 captains battling nature, the law and each other for the ultimate fishing payday, according to Animal Planet.

For White, a 2001 Bonners Ferry High School graduate, the fishing isn't a drama but a lifestyle. Every summer since he was born, White has spent six weeks in June and July in Bristol Bay.

Until White was 14 years old, he helped his mom, Shara White, fish from the beach with his sister and cousins. Once he turned 14 he became a crew member on his dad's (Chris White) boat, Vulcan.

Then six years ago White decided to branch out and start his own operation.

"I went from the slowest boat to the fastest boat in Bristol Bay," said White after he built his own boat in 2012.

White's aluminum boat, Thunder, is 32 feet long with 245 horsepower, CAT diesel engines and two 18-inch jets. The huge propulsion system makes it the fastest, White said.

Naming the boat wasn't difficult for White, whose first name means thunder. Thunder was also White's radio call sign when he was a kid so he decided to keep the name.

As the Discovery Channel said in a press release, "Youth, speed and huge debt motivates Captain Taran White to forget about the peanut gallery and hit pay dirt."

But for White, the best part of fishing in Bristol Bay is his crew. He likened the intense weeks to camping with friends but they are working. White said he has a great experienced crew, including fellow high school classmate Drew Cooper.

White and his four crew members bring in a portion of the largest sockeye run in the world. During the peak two weeks of the season, White and his crew might only sleep two to three hours a day. Otherwise they work around the clock.

"It's a rush," said White. "We love the fishery. It's a really good job."

When White isn't on his boat, he is a snowboard instructor at Schweitzer Mountain or traveling.

However, White will be reliving last year's fishing season as "Alaska: Battle of the Bay" airs for the next few weeks.

The eight one-hour episodes can be seen on Animal Planet or online. For air times or online viewing visit www.animalplanet.com/tv-shows/alaska-battle-on-the-bay.