Post by Chee Yung on Aug 4, 2005 16:35:58 GMT 8
‘The River Why’ by David James Duncan: Finding Spirit, Humour, Love and Family in Fishing
Hi Brothers
,
Allow me to set the tone for this little corner of Boo-land as a repository of not only arthritic but memorable flyfishing history but also a fountain of youthful renewal, hope and personal passions through interesting readings aka BOOKS/Article. OH Sh*teroo!!! Of course, like cane rods, its not for everyone! Those who have the time and interest to be philosophical are encouraged to read on…
A while ago some unfortunate soul started casting burgers at his version of Jesus and at our common sense by quoting some twisted story. This insipid fellow was banned of course by good BT and with good reason. Despite my rather strong constitution, I’ll probably be influenced by his prattle if I keep reading it over and over again…. Why not? I’m only human
.
Troubled by that sad and spiritually hollow bloke, I tried searching for a nice place in the Web to read about peaceful fishing but people everywhere were going for ‘quick question quick solutions’ that are both tiring and sad to read. I’ve vented to BT and FC that they were ‘Bengs’ but in fact I was in the wrong by expecting grace and wisdom from those who did not look for it
.
Fortunately, I encountered a thread on Clark’s Classic Fly Rod Forum that mentioned author David James Duncan (DJD). I’ve been looking for his book ‘The River Why’ for ages after coming across a chapter of the novel in my fishing tomes. Upon mentioning that I wanted to purchase the book a forummer named Chris (ArticCane ) said he could send me his extra copy for FREE and from ALASKA as he feels it is the most inspirational book ever! Now that’s what I call the Spirit of Brotherhood by passing on a good thing! The book arrived within 5 days Global Priority mail and my view of many things have been strengthened and changed… thanks Chris!
You see, this hilarious yet serious book was about a young man from a fishing crazy family searching for his spirituality. His father is a dry fly fishing purist while his mother is a hillbilly bait-chucker. In his effort to escape the family arguments about ‘fishing morality’ he became a trout bum leading the so-called ‘perfect life’ beside his perfect river. However, fishing eventually became like life’s drudgery and he began to question Life itself and through a series of misadventures found friends among his neighbours and as a result found his place in society. But the adventure doesn’t end there as true to any hot-blooded young men, a fisher-girl entered his life (you young singles would love this part! Hahaha!) and through disappointments and broken heart, found redemption by his simple but good deeds. Entwined with this main narrative are beautiful snippets of nature, love, religion and graceful fishing… making the reader really refreshed and hopeful….
DJD still writes funny spiritual and ecologically enlightened stuff that can be found online if you google it and as a true and appreciative fan of his work, I will gladly let anyone interested borrow my copy and feel the same joy I felt! Let me forewarn that the reading can be heavily spiritual at times but like fishing, the patient, open minded and imaginative will be well rewarded!
Till the next book review… Cheers! CY
Hi Brothers
,Allow me to set the tone for this little corner of Boo-land as a repository of not only arthritic but memorable flyfishing history but also a fountain of youthful renewal, hope and personal passions through interesting readings aka BOOKS/Article. OH Sh*teroo!!! Of course, like cane rods, its not for everyone! Those who have the time and interest to be philosophical are encouraged to read on…
A while ago some unfortunate soul started casting burgers at his version of Jesus and at our common sense by quoting some twisted story. This insipid fellow was banned of course by good BT and with good reason. Despite my rather strong constitution, I’ll probably be influenced by his prattle if I keep reading it over and over again…. Why not? I’m only human
.Troubled by that sad and spiritually hollow bloke, I tried searching for a nice place in the Web to read about peaceful fishing but people everywhere were going for ‘quick question quick solutions’ that are both tiring and sad to read. I’ve vented to BT and FC that they were ‘Bengs’ but in fact I was in the wrong by expecting grace and wisdom from those who did not look for it
.Fortunately, I encountered a thread on Clark’s Classic Fly Rod Forum that mentioned author David James Duncan (DJD). I’ve been looking for his book ‘The River Why’ for ages after coming across a chapter of the novel in my fishing tomes. Upon mentioning that I wanted to purchase the book a forummer named Chris (ArticCane ) said he could send me his extra copy for FREE and from ALASKA as he feels it is the most inspirational book ever! Now that’s what I call the Spirit of Brotherhood by passing on a good thing! The book arrived within 5 days Global Priority mail and my view of many things have been strengthened and changed… thanks Chris!
You see, this hilarious yet serious book was about a young man from a fishing crazy family searching for his spirituality. His father is a dry fly fishing purist while his mother is a hillbilly bait-chucker. In his effort to escape the family arguments about ‘fishing morality’ he became a trout bum leading the so-called ‘perfect life’ beside his perfect river. However, fishing eventually became like life’s drudgery and he began to question Life itself and through a series of misadventures found friends among his neighbours and as a result found his place in society. But the adventure doesn’t end there as true to any hot-blooded young men, a fisher-girl entered his life (you young singles would love this part! Hahaha!) and through disappointments and broken heart, found redemption by his simple but good deeds. Entwined with this main narrative are beautiful snippets of nature, love, religion and graceful fishing… making the reader really refreshed and hopeful….
DJD still writes funny spiritual and ecologically enlightened stuff that can be found online if you google it and as a true and appreciative fan of his work, I will gladly let anyone interested borrow my copy and feel the same joy I felt! Let me forewarn that the reading can be heavily spiritual at times but like fishing, the patient, open minded and imaginative will be well rewarded!
Till the next book review… Cheers! CY
and as graceful as your casting . This state of seemingly simple grace is a combination of lightning reflexes which I unfortunately do not possess ;D 
... What I think I do possess in acceptable amounts is the ability to share and be non-possessive when it comes to fishing stuff 
.... 
.. to all except FC who wisely prefers pictures ;D ;D ;D wahahahaha! A thousand words at a glance! 
Fishing sucks? Try Flyfishing! ;D
