A River Runs Through It - The Importance of Fishing Essay

Fishing to some people may just be fishing. But fishing to the people who have read A River Runs through It some time in their life, is a gift. Whether fishermen use bait, worms, or Georges flies it is that much sweeter to catch some trout with a brother under one arm and a father on the other. The river and fishing made such a big impact on the Maclean family that it is the root of this book. The Macleans compared the river to life, went fishing to answer questions, and created a river that has a past full of memories. The river and fishing become metaphors for life by having a life of its own. When the Macleans, especially Norman speaks of the river they are also referring to life, their lives, and themselves. When Norman couldnt†¦show more content†¦Norman writes, It was in this way that I came to know that my rod can be made to cast into bushes, but the truth is I have never mastered the cast, probably because I still flinch from the prospect of losing flies that I dont have to pay for (42). Perhaps Norman is referring to the things in life that doesnt cost money as in love and friendship. He doesnt want to risk losing something to gain something else, in this case, a fly for a fish. Norman thinks that just because something is free doesnt mean that it isnt precious or worthless. And hes right. Memories are free and so are Georges flies but both are priceless. Norman would cast into the bushes if he knew his fly would come back to him. Even if he doesnt have to pay for them he still wants to keep his collection. Perhaps it is the memories he shares with the flie s that he is afraid of letting go. To Norman the flies are more than just flies; they are his own and his way to reminisce. Often times the Macleans went fishing for the healing effects of cool waters and to spend time with the family (78). When something bothered them or when they couldnt figure out their problems, Norman and Paul went fishing. Norman states, It is not fly fishing if you are not looking for answers to questions (42). Fishing was always there and an answer to the solution. Sometimes it was the correct answer and sometimes more clues were needed for the question to beShow MoreRelatedNorman Maclean’s A River Runs Through It Essay1308 Words   |  6 Pagescome together. However in Norman Maclean’s novella, A River Runs Through It, the Maclean family’s devotion to their Presbyterian religion and their tradition of fly-fishing is what undeniably brought the family together. Under the father’s strict Presbyterian values, his sons, Norman and Paul used fly-fishing as the link that brought them closer together and helped them bond with their father on a different le vel. 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