The Literary Fly Fisher

The following is the syllabus for a full-credit course on fly fishing that I offered for several years at Gettysburg College.

Copyright 2012, Kenneth H Lokensgard

IDS 204: Fly-fishing in Spirit, Language and Practice

Professor: Ken Lokensgard

DESCRIPTION AND GOALS OF COURSE:

This course is an introduction to the history, cultural significance and practice of fly-fishing.  In “Fly-fishing in Spirit, Language and Practice,” you will examine the religious themes often attached to fly-fishing, which have been expressed in some of the most loved writings in the English language.  You will also gain a basic knowledge of fly-fishing and an understanding of the ecological issues surrounding the sport.  Author Norman Maclean proclaimed that, in his family, “there was no clear line between religion and fly-fishing”; here, you will find out why, and have fun doing so.

This interdisciplinary introduction to the fly-fishing will cover the historical religious significance of fishing and the current “spiritualization” of fly-fishing, the place and significance of fishing in literary and cultural history, as well as basic streamside ecology, entomology, and trout biology.  The course will also address the prominent roles certain Pennsylvanians and certain streams within Pennsylvania have played in American angling history. 

Numerous class sessions will be led by guest-lecturers, drawn from both within and without the college.  Specifically, we will enjoy visits from GRAB members (who will discuss outdoor safety), representatives of Trout Unlimited, a professional fly-casting instructor, an expert on fly-fishing in the colonial era, a rabbit who writes about fishing, and several scientists (who will discuss topics relevant to class).

Outside of class, you will be given the opportunity to fish.  Your decision to participate or not to participate in these fishing events will have no impact upon your grade.

Tentative Reading List:

The Compleat Angler, or the Contemplative Man’s Recreation, by Isaac Walton and Charles Cotton.  This is the third most published book in the English language.  It was first published in 1653.

A River Runs Through It, by Norman Maclean.  This beautiful 1976 novella was the first work of fiction published by the University of Chicago.

The River Why?, by David James Duncan.  This 1982 novel ties fishing not only to Christianity (as The Compleat Angler and A River Runs through It do), but also to Buddhism and a variety of other religious traditions.

Fishing and Thinking, by A.A. Luce.  This 1959 book presents an interesting perspective upon fly-fishing, from a respected English philosopher

The Science of Fly-fishing, by Stan L. Ulanski.  This 2005 book  explores nearly every aspect of fly fishing from a scientific perspective.  For instance, it covers the physics of casting, stream morphology, and trout biology.

Selected literary essays (see below), by such writers as Ernest Hemingway, Arnold Gingrich, and others. 

Academic articles and essays on Christianity during the Age of Reason, Mysticism, Ritual, and Sport (see below).

Requirements and Grading:

You must write three ten to twelve page papers (12 pt. font, 1 in. margins).  The first paper should be a synthesis and analysis of the first several pieces of literature read in class.  The second paper will deal with religious themes in fishing or other sports literature; this paper can be constructed as either a reflective paper or a research paper.  The third paper will deal with one scientific aspect of fly-fishing; it should be constructed as a research paper. Each of these papers is worth 15 points.  Writing guidelines will be provided throughout the semester.

You are required to take three tests.  These will be given at the conclusion of each section of the course.  The first two tests are worth 10 points.  The final, cumulative exam is worth 15 points.

Ten points are reserved for short, “pop” quizzes.

Ten points are reserved for attendance, which will be taken randomly ten times during the semester.

Cheating is a violation of the Honor Code and will not be tolerated.  This act will be punished according to Gettysburg College guidelines.  In order to avoid plagiarism in your papers, you must cite all quotations and paraphrases that are not your own or are not common knowledge.

Late assignments will absolutely not be accepted unless prior arrangements are made or if a documentable emergency occurs. 

You must hand in hard copies of all assignments.  Assignments will not be accepted via email, unless prior arrangements are made.

Course Structure

Part One – Fishing in “Western” Literature and History: Contemplation and Escape

Readings:

Aelian, On the Nature of Animals excerpt (handout).

Dame Juliana Berners, A Treatyse of Fysshynge with an Angle (handout).

Isaac Walton and Charles Cotton, The Compleat Angler: fore matter; ch’s. 1, 3, 4, 5, 21; Part 2: fore matter, ch’s 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12.

Paul Schullery: “Carlisle Mornings” (handout).

Norman Maclean, A River Runs Through It.

Arnold Gingrich, “Horsing them in with Hemingway” (handout), Fishing in Print excerpt (handout).

Ernest Hemingway, “Big Two-Hearted River” (handout), selected letters (handout).

Guest Lecturers: Emily Zeiders, MFA, of Yellow Breeches Anglers.

Tentative Paper due date: February 14.

Tentative Exam date: February 21.

Part Two — Fishing and Culture: Emotion, Thought, and “Nature”

Readings:

David James Duncan, The River Why?

A.A. Luce, Fishing and Thinking.

William James, The Varieties of Religious Experience excerpt (handout).

Thomas Merton, New Seed of Contemplation excerpt (handout).

Victor Turner, The Ritual Process excerpt (handout).

Sam Snyder, “New Streams of Religion: Fly Fishing as a Lived Religion of Nature” (handout).

Guest Lecturers: Rabbi Eric Eisenkramer, Dave Swope of Adams County Trout Unlimited,  Rod Cross of Cumberland Valley Trout Unlimited.

Tentative Paper Due Date: March 20.

Tentative Exam Date: March 27.

Part Three – Fishing and Science: The Trout, its Environment, and Pennsylvania.

Readings:

Stan Ulanski, The Science of Fly-fishing.

Jim Gilford and Norm Shires, editors, Limestone Legends: Papers and Recollections of the Fly Fishers’ Club of Harrisburg 1947-1997excerpts (handouts).

Selected Newspaper Articles (handouts).

Guests Lecturers: Prof. Bret Crawford, Prof. Alex Schreiber, Dr. Gene Macri, Rabbi Eric Eisenkramer, local Trout Unlimited representative.

Tentative Paper Due Date: April 24.

Final Exam Date and Time: Monday May 5, 1:30 – 4:30.

Pictures from Class Field Trip