I venture to say that Catching the Ebb is a book about metamorphosis. Bert Benders metamorphosis from novice summertime fisherman: young, adventuresome, risk taker. Wintertime: student, husband, father. To someone else, an English professor, an academic…..a cardboard cutout.
Having brushed with gillnetting, commercial fishing and the largess that is Alaska. I really love the stories and descriptions of the fishing life and the the grandeur of the surroundings. Those are the heart of the book, and the heart of Bert Bender. And they are well worth the purchase price.
Just starting out, Bert envies the competency of some of the other fishermen, particularly a few who also fish the Columbia River. They make everything look easy, they have built their own boats, do their own maintenance. And after many years, many lessons and countless sets, Bert builds his boat and comes to understand that he had paid his dues, he has perservered, he has worked hard and has earned the respect of his fishing community. But Bert has a conflict. Two things are ebbing away: his youth and the Cook Inlet fishery. There are a number of poingnant vignettes, nicely penned, but two stand out: his decision to cut-loose, sell his boat Ishmael along with the permit and also, the father and son tug-o’-war, magnified, as most are, by a failed marriage. And then there is his dance with Darwin, his search for meaning, his ache to place blame. His tears spot the last pages and detract from the book; he’s a liberal romantic, without Melville’s thunder (thank God), not a scientist. He’s tossed his pipe over the side.
I love the final paragraph. In a dream he calls on the radio for his old boat: “Ishmael, Ishmael. Do you read?……Call me.” But I’m not conviniced it’s Bert making the call. Maybe it’s Pip, or Queequeg from his coffin-canoe. Or Ahab, like Jonah, from the belly of the White Whale.
Or shall Bert be cast as Father Mapple?…….then….”Yes, the world’s a ship on its passage out, and not a voyage complete; and the pulpit is its prow.” H.Melville – Moby Dick – Ch.8
Hold on…..May 19 newsflash…….
The present owner of Ishmael wants Bert to fish her in Bristol Bay this summer. This is most excellent news and should give hope to all retirees that dreams really do come true. I’m looking forward to a sequel along about springtime 2011. Here’s to fishing, Bert – Once a highliner, always a highliner. Good Luck !!