The Doryman's Reflection: A Fisherman's Life

by Paul Molyneaux

Fishermen exist as relics, the last hunter-gatherers among us. Their boats, crammed with ropes and nets, carry the mystique of a near-forgotten world ruled by the elements. This is the story of Bernard Raynes, one of Maine's last independent commercial fishermen. The author, now an accomplished writer, was once Raynes's apprentice — then a young man with no experience who came to Maine with a dream of working on a boat. In the early 1980s, these two men shared some of the fishing industry's best years. But their world changed. Author Paul Molyneaux discusses the factors — personal and political, environmental and economic — that led to the decline of New England fishing. While Raynes still hangs on, thanks to a philosophy of hard work, consolidation leaves few choices for young fishermen. For over three centuries, Raynes's ancestors invested their futures in the lives of fish. They learned to think like fish. Few today could match his skills, but they don't have to. Technology has edged Raynes out, and his fishing legacy will sadly die with him.

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir

272 pages, Paperback

First published March 10, 2005

Reviews

[Grace Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

The only book I ever saw my dad read, so I had to pick it up and read it myself. Been going to Rockland, Maine area for vacation almost every year since I was little and this past summer went with hopes of fishing, only to realize there’s not many fish in Maine anymore. This book helped open my eyes to what happened in the Maine fishing industry

[Joel Kumove · Rating 5 out of 5]

Paul Moyneaux is a wonderful storyteller. He holds fine balance between a personal account of his somewhat picaresque life as a fisherman, the larger drama of the history of the fisherfolk of Acadia, and a macro history of the ravages of modernism and globalization upon the finite world of the sea. Multiple narratives, including the fishes' point of view, socioeconomic theory, and east coast Maine-Maritimes lore make this a page turner.

[Boreal Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

My friend-beautiful stories of fish and fishermen and social political commentary on governmental regulation of the fishing industry and how it has evolved since the 70's

[Tecolote · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had fun on this voyage, not only harpooning swordfish in a storm, but in getting a rare look at how the fisheries decline affects fishing people.