Have you read The Road, by Cormac McCarthy? “Once there were brook trout in the streams in the mountains. You could see them standing in the amber current where the white edges of their fins wimpled softly in the flow. They smelled of moss in your hand. Polished and muscular and torsional. On their backs were vermiculate patterns that were maps of the world in its becoming. Maps and mazes. Of a thing which could not be put back. Not be made right again. In the deep glens where they lived all things were older than man and they hummed of mystery.”
Oh, I was about to write a comment directing people to this amazing final paragraph in McCarthy’s novel! It’s such a rich and sensual contrast to the starkness of the rest of the novel, and there is much that connects to the descriptions of the river and trout in this piece.
I haven't seen the movie so can't really compare. The book was much less macabre than I was expecting though. It's more...brutal inevitability is maybe a good way to describe the tone. I would have a dictionary handy, he's great at teaching you new words, at least lots were new to me!
Understandable! I do occasionally fish with the intention of catching a fish for dinner, but as I caught this beautiful trout in that moment I just found I didn’t have the heart to kill it
Beautifully written, it took me back to my first wild swim two years ago and how soft River is. I still struggle with the undergrowth that glides along my legs. If I could swim perfectly horizontal it wouldn’t be that much of an issue.
Thank you, Donna! I agree, river water has such a lovely softness to it, but overgrowth can make swimming difficult. Better than jellyfish though I would argue!
I totally agree, Steve and I are off to West Wales at the end of the month and there’s a huge jellyfish population so won’t be swimming there for sure!
It is an interesting reflection and it made me think about a book I read. The comfort crisis by Michael Easter. The author hikes around the Alaska's forest to hunt caribous while reflecting on how we got over confident in our Extreme comfortable life. I'm genuinely against hunting but the respect with which he stalked the old beast, made sure it was a swift death and the ordeal of bringing it back shared between 3 backpacks made me look at It differently. Not all hunting is fine and maybe not all flyfishing is fine but the simple fact that you concern yourself with wondering about it is proof enough that you care.
It's interesting to reflect on, as I've also always felt against hunting (which is a bit hypocritical given my fishing). I'll check this out, it sounds very interesting. Thank you for sharing!
You are mostly welcome Alexander! I love when books challenge my ideals because the help me gain perspective..like your pieces. Even the one of dreaming of being a pebble. It is always interesting to put ourselves in someone else's shoes. Glad I've encountered you and your writing
Alexander, thanks for this beautifully written post. It’s gorgeous, and I love that you ask for your readers’ thoughts on sport fishing.
I don’t fish myself, but I had a conversation with a friend about sport fishing recently, which prompted me to do some research. From what I understand, it is very stressful for the fish (which seems obvious from their responses), and this can cause them to die later on, assuming they don’t die from other injuries.
I understand your desire to learn more about these amazing animals, though. This learning through contact can certainly bring us closer to the world in positive ways. Are you Swedish-or at least, do you speak Swedish? If so, I’d recommend Jonna Bornemark’s book De Levande (the first in her fantastic series Vrida Världen). In this, she describes her attempts to build relationships with the roaches who live in the Dalarna lake she spends her summers swimming in, without harming them in any way. It’s a mind-blowing read.
Thanks again for this piece, and for posing the question about fishing. I love it when people are open to learning from each other. I learned a little more about the world from reading this.
These reflections brought me back to when I was about 12 years old, fishing in the rivers of Maine (USA) with my dad. Your writing is beautiful and vivid.
This is so beautiful. You sing the songs of water beautifully. "Before I knew the soul of the sea I knew rivers. The gentle cadence of water meandering through a landscape – its sounds, scents and patterns. This river is small, flowing gently against grassy banks and low-lying brush. Its water is deep amber, clear enough to spot rocks that redirect and perturb it slightly, creating ripples. Weeds sway lazily in the irregular currents."
Have you watched Waterwalker? It’s on youtube (i can send the link if you can’t find it). About kayaking in Canada, filmed in the 1980s (I think?). I think you’d love the imagery & tone of it, as I see some of it here!
Have you read The Road, by Cormac McCarthy? “Once there were brook trout in the streams in the mountains. You could see them standing in the amber current where the white edges of their fins wimpled softly in the flow. They smelled of moss in your hand. Polished and muscular and torsional. On their backs were vermiculate patterns that were maps of the world in its becoming. Maps and mazes. Of a thing which could not be put back. Not be made right again. In the deep glens where they lived all things were older than man and they hummed of mystery.”
Oh, I was about to write a comment directing people to this amazing final paragraph in McCarthy’s novel! It’s such a rich and sensual contrast to the starkness of the rest of the novel, and there is much that connects to the descriptions of the river and trout in this piece.
Wow I love that prose, I haven't read it yet. I think the movie scared me off! But will have to give it a read now, thanks for the recommendation!
I haven't seen the movie so can't really compare. The book was much less macabre than I was expecting though. It's more...brutal inevitability is maybe a good way to describe the tone. I would have a dictionary handy, he's great at teaching you new words, at least lots were new to me!
I am afraid I would have been tempted to eat that trout.
Understandable! I do occasionally fish with the intention of catching a fish for dinner, but as I caught this beautiful trout in that moment I just found I didn’t have the heart to kill it
Beautifully written, it took me back to my first wild swim two years ago and how soft River is. I still struggle with the undergrowth that glides along my legs. If I could swim perfectly horizontal it wouldn’t be that much of an issue.
Thank you, Donna! I agree, river water has such a lovely softness to it, but overgrowth can make swimming difficult. Better than jellyfish though I would argue!
I totally agree, Steve and I are off to West Wales at the end of the month and there’s a huge jellyfish population so won’t be swimming there for sure!
It is an interesting reflection and it made me think about a book I read. The comfort crisis by Michael Easter. The author hikes around the Alaska's forest to hunt caribous while reflecting on how we got over confident in our Extreme comfortable life. I'm genuinely against hunting but the respect with which he stalked the old beast, made sure it was a swift death and the ordeal of bringing it back shared between 3 backpacks made me look at It differently. Not all hunting is fine and maybe not all flyfishing is fine but the simple fact that you concern yourself with wondering about it is proof enough that you care.
It's interesting to reflect on, as I've also always felt against hunting (which is a bit hypocritical given my fishing). I'll check this out, it sounds very interesting. Thank you for sharing!
You are mostly welcome Alexander! I love when books challenge my ideals because the help me gain perspective..like your pieces. Even the one of dreaming of being a pebble. It is always interesting to put ourselves in someone else's shoes. Glad I've encountered you and your writing
Alexander, thanks for this beautifully written post. It’s gorgeous, and I love that you ask for your readers’ thoughts on sport fishing.
I don’t fish myself, but I had a conversation with a friend about sport fishing recently, which prompted me to do some research. From what I understand, it is very stressful for the fish (which seems obvious from their responses), and this can cause them to die later on, assuming they don’t die from other injuries.
I understand your desire to learn more about these amazing animals, though. This learning through contact can certainly bring us closer to the world in positive ways. Are you Swedish-or at least, do you speak Swedish? If so, I’d recommend Jonna Bornemark’s book De Levande (the first in her fantastic series Vrida Världen). In this, she describes her attempts to build relationships with the roaches who live in the Dalarna lake she spends her summers swimming in, without harming them in any way. It’s a mind-blowing read.
Thanks again for this piece, and for posing the question about fishing. I love it when people are open to learning from each other. I learned a little more about the world from reading this.
Thank you for your kind words and for such a thoughtful comment!
And thanks for the book recommendation, I read both Swedish and English (grew up in Sweden, moved to the UK), very keen to check it out :)
Beautiful to look at as well as read. Thank you, Alexander!
These reflections brought me back to when I was about 12 years old, fishing in the rivers of Maine (USA) with my dad. Your writing is beautiful and vivid.
That sounds so wonderful, Maine is a place I have yet to visit but have long wanted to see! Thank you for your lovely comment
This is so beautiful. You sing the songs of water beautifully. "Before I knew the soul of the sea I knew rivers. The gentle cadence of water meandering through a landscape – its sounds, scents and patterns. This river is small, flowing gently against grassy banks and low-lying brush. Its water is deep amber, clear enough to spot rocks that redirect and perturb it slightly, creating ripples. Weeds sway lazily in the irregular currents."
Thank you for such kind words!
Have you watched Waterwalker? It’s on youtube (i can send the link if you can’t find it). About kayaking in Canada, filmed in the 1980s (I think?). I think you’d love the imagery & tone of it, as I see some of it here!
Thank you! Will definitely check it out :)