None of [the characters in Fishing] really communicate with each other. They are caustic, sardonic, defensive, in their exchanges, as to a large extent were the young people in Moonchildren, but they are—with advancing age?—less spirited, less interesting…. Although the play frequently displays Weller's facility for adroit dialogue, it also abounds in exchanges that are heavily portentous. A little of such things as 'being on the ocean with no one to hassle you' and 'I feel there is some very negative energy between us' clearly goes a long way.

Yet, Fishing is not really a bad play. It seldom, except in a protracted opening scene, actually bores…. It does, however, rely far too heavily on dramatic tricks and, in a fake melodramatic conclusion, something bordering on a copout. Weller is a better playwright than that…. [Even] at his less than best, Weller is invariably worth watching...