"The River Why" by David James Duncan, was first published in 1983 by Sierra Club Books. Now that I have read it - and I practically swallowed it whole - I don't know how it is possible that I had never even heard of this remarkable tale before! It is difficult to characterize this book as any one thing, therefore I am going to call it many things.
Let's call it a coming-of-age story, a vision quest, and a spiritual journey for lovers of wilderness & fishermen everywhere. The young protagonist sets off on in pursuit of fly-fishing & self-fulfillment. He sets himself up to live in a shack beside a trout & salmon filled river and discovers... well, what he discovers is what the book is really all about. I wish I could tell you more but I dare not say too much for fear of spoiling his story.
This tale brims with dry-witted humor, cover to cover. In fact, it is an absolutely hilarious work of fiction... though I suspect those of us who grew up during and/or shortly after the Vietnam War will better appreciate the times & the context. At one point, Gus - son of a famed fisherman & a veritable fishing phenom himself - sets the hook (so to speak) on the Portland, Oregon, sports journalist who writes the weekly fishing column. The yarn the kid spins for that journalist/twit is worthy of some of the very best that I've seen on QJ! I found myself in absolute hysterics reading that particular anecdote. This is a FUNNY book!
For you QJ fishermen out there of approximately my vintage, "The River Why" is simply a MUST-READ! Do yourself a favor & pick it up. It will suck you into the wilderness of a self-reflective soul and true outdoorsman. I promise you will feel young, again, inside.
I recommend this book in the highest possible terms!
Jimbo
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