Fishing in America: Cooking Up a Tale
How to Tell a Un-Fishy Fish Story

 Listen to Elizabeth Arnold's report.

 Back to the Fishing in America series

Scott Rogers runs the Mazama Fly Shop and Troutfitters. Photo courtesy Mazama Fly Shop and Troutfitters

Elizabeth Arnold, the reporter and producer of this series, holding "one that didn't get away" (a big silver salmon caught in Icy Strait, Southeast Alaska)

Aug. 30, 2002 -- The right recipe adds flavor to fish -- and the right recipe can add something special to a fish story, too. NPR's Elizabeth Arnold says it's important to follow the right steps, in the right order, for a well-baked tale.

For the last installment in her Morning Edition series on "Fishing in America" Arnold whips up a whopper of a fish story by mixing together elements she collected while working on the project.

The first ingredient is the set-up, Arnold says.

Next, a fish story is only a fish story if you include a description of size.

Then there's what Arnold calls "the improbability," which is "just the sheer wonder of getting something on your line."

Add references to "knowledge and skill" and pepper with metaphors to taste. Sports metaphors are always welcome, but any type will work.

But the most important ingredient -- whatever the story you are trying to cook up -- is the telling. That and pinch of disbelief from your listeners will create a full-bodied fish story.

Other Resources

• Kids' "big fish stories" from the state of Wisconsin

• More fish stories from an "Internet Fishing" Web site

"Do not tell fish stories where the people know you; but particularly, don’t tell them where they know the fish." – Mark Twain

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