A River Runs Through It

"A River Runs Through It" concerns the Macleans, a Presbyterian family in early 20th century Montana whose views on life are filtered through their passion for fly fishing. The novella is presented from the point of view of older brother Norman who goes on one last fishing trip with his rowdy and troubled younger brother Paul in an attempt to help him get his life on track.

Well until man is redeemed he will always take a fly rod too far back, just as natural man always overswings with an ax or golf club and loses all his power somewhere in the air; only with a rod it's worse, because the fly often comes so far back it gets caught behind a bush or rock. p.3

We held in common one major theory about street fighting- if it looks like a fight is coming, get in the first punch. p.8

I was gradually approaching the question all river fisherman should ask before they make the first cast, " If i hook a big one, where the hell can I land him?" p. 18

Nobody," he said, "has put in a good day's fishing unless he leaves a couple of flies hanging on the bushes. You can't catch fish if you don't dare where they are. p. 42

"Help," he said, "is giving part of yourself to somebody who comes to accept it willingly and needs it badly." p. 81