Norman Maclean was in his...
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Norman Maclean was in his 70s when he wrote his first book of fiction based upon his childhood experiences. It became a best-
seller titled, A River Runs Through It. Eventually, it was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize and made into a motion picture. The book and movie begin with Norman saying, "In our family, there was no clear line between religion and fly fishing." Set in Montana, Norm and his brother Paul were the sons of a Presbyterian minister. Fishing was the love of Rev. Maclean's life, a passion he passed on to his sons. As fly fishing Presbyterians, they took fishing seriously. When they were children, the two boys spent their afternoons fishing or scouting out the right locations for future fishing expeditions. Any additional spare time was spent tying flies or practicing the ten o'clock to two o'clock fisherman's cast. The Maclean men realized that becoming fishermen, particularly fly fishermen, was a process. One did not just become a fly fisher. Paul, the youngest son, was the best fly fisher around. Just prior to his tragic death, there is an emotional episode when the three of them go out fishing together. Paul hooked the biggest fish he had ever seen. He fought it for some time, almost drowning before pulling it in. Rev. Maclean gave him one of the highest compliments he could have received. He said, "You are a fine fisherman." Paul responded, "I'm pretty good with a rod, but I need three more years before I can think like a fish." The story ends when Norman is an old man. All his friends and family members have long since passed away. But Norman is still a fly fisherman and is standing knee deep in a Montana river casting his line. Being a fisherman is a lifelong pursuit. When Jesus said to Simon and Andrew, "Follow me and I will make you become fishers of men," he was issuing a lifelong challenge. -- Angus
seller titled, A River Runs Through It. Eventually, it was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize and made into a motion picture. The book and movie begin with Norman saying, "In our family, there was no clear line between religion and fly fishing." Set in Montana, Norm and his brother Paul were the sons of a Presbyterian minister. Fishing was the love of Rev. Maclean's life, a passion he passed on to his sons. As fly fishing Presbyterians, they took fishing seriously. When they were children, the two boys spent their afternoons fishing or scouting out the right locations for future fishing expeditions. Any additional spare time was spent tying flies or practicing the ten o'clock to two o'clock fisherman's cast. The Maclean men realized that becoming fishermen, particularly fly fishermen, was a process. One did not just become a fly fisher. Paul, the youngest son, was the best fly fisher around. Just prior to his tragic death, there is an emotional episode when the three of them go out fishing together. Paul hooked the biggest fish he had ever seen. He fought it for some time, almost drowning before pulling it in. Rev. Maclean gave him one of the highest compliments he could have received. He said, "You are a fine fisherman." Paul responded, "I'm pretty good with a rod, but I need three more years before I can think like a fish." The story ends when Norman is an old man. All his friends and family members have long since passed away. But Norman is still a fly fisherman and is standing knee deep in a Montana river casting his line. Being a fisherman is a lifelong pursuit. When Jesus said to Simon and Andrew, "Follow me and I will make you become fishers of men," he was issuing a lifelong challenge. -- Angus
