Book One, The Compleat Angler: Gus the Fish and The Rogue River Fishing War Summary

The novel opens with Gus discussing his birth and a description of his family in general. His father, Henning Hale-Orviston, is of English aristocracy and has very refined behaviors, including drinking Glenfiddich Single Malt Scotch, driving a Rover while in the city, sleeping in silk pajamas, and fishing in a full set of tweeds. On the other hand, Carolina Carper or "Ma", as Gus calls his mother, is the exact antithesis of Henning. She refers to him as "Hen" (much to his chagrin) and is considered Henning's nemesis. Ma has gained infamy and notoriety mostly because she is a bait fisherman, which is an astounding fact when one considers how refined and famous her husband's fly fishing...