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 George's 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 couldn't catch any fish on the open river Paul declares...