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A River Runs Through It
A fisherman’s tale….
When we were boys my father would take my brother and I fishing to a magical place deep in the heart of the Lincolnshire Wolds. Long, happy summer days were spent fishing for carp, tench, bream and rudd. Sitting at our pegs in the cool shade of the overhanging trees we would sit and watch a solitary kingfisher giving us all a masterclass in catching fish without the aid of rods, bait, alarms, floats and nets. By learning to fish and shoot we also learnt to respect nature and the natural larder which it provides us on a daily basis.
Years later, as adults my brother and I would meet up for a days winter pike fishing on the River Ancholme or he would visit me in the Lake District to cast a fly for trout on Winderemere, Ghyll Head or Brother’s Water. I loved those days, we would watch one another cast our line, secretly hoping the other would snag a branch or offer a nod and a smirk for a line well cast.
Today I walked along the River Ancholme as a reminder of days gone by, it cuts through the town of Brigg and gently meanders its way through the North Lincolnshire countryside. Despite the huge electricity pylons and the hustle and bustle of nearby towns, the river retains its tranquility and in the peace of a mid afternoon stroll the splash of a fish nearby puts a nostalgic sound to an unforgettable sight.
I am reminded of Norman Maclean’s wonderful book, ‘A River Runs Through It’, written as an elderly man reflecting on his childhood fishing days with his father and brother who have since passed; ‘Eventually, all things merge into one, and a river runs through it. The river was cut by the world’s great flood and runs over rocks from the basement of time. On some of the rocks are timeless raindrops. Under the rocks are the words, and some of the words are theirs. I am haunted by waters’…..
Miles,
Beautiful words.
I too remember childhood fishing expeditions with my grandfather … him fishing and me throwing in bait and creating so much noise no self respecting fish would come near!
This site really is the ‘personification, embodiment, incarnation, essence, epitome … of stylishness’.
Cid
September 9, 2007 @ 7:46 pm
Cid,
You are very kind. I can relate to your piscatorial discrepancies with your Grandfather; as a boy I remember accidentally hooking my fathers rod case pre cast then launching it with great gusto into the centre of the lake! My father was livid, my brother hysterical.
Miles
September 9, 2007 @ 8:02 pm
Miles
great words !
I too have read the book and it’s one of my favourite books !
To further heap praise …
It is also one of the best modern film adaptations - raely do you see a book done justice when it goes on the big screen.
Robert Redford spent many years trying to convince the author to let him make the film - thankfully he finally relented.
Rod
September 10, 2007 @ 8:26 am