The Big Two Hearted

[ZobZob]

I wondered if anyone else on here has read the book called "Trout Magic" where the author (Robert Traver (pen name))cast doubt on the theory that the Hemmingway story was actually about the Two Hearted River. Several reasons he gives has merit with the (landmarks, etc.) with the most obvious being that a diehard trout fisherman would never speak of his or her favorite trout spots in print.

I am a believer in this "conspiracy" but I wondered what everyone else thought. Do you think the story is actually about the Two Hearted River?

For those of you who haven't read it before and enjoy a good book you should check it out.

Zob

[riverboy]

If you have ever read the short story The big two hearted river by Hemingway, and have spent some time in the UP on the Two hearted or near Seney. You will know he cant be writing about the two hearted. I believe it is the Fox river Hemingway fished. After Nick Adams gets off the train in Seney he hikes though the burned out woods and grassy meadows. I believe the area around Seney did burn years ago. It also would be one heck of a hike to the two hearted from Seney. Now I wonder if it was the east branch of the Fox or the Fox river itself! Hmmmmmm!

Just my reflection on a great short story!!!

[PrtyMolusk]

Howdy-

That area was my favorite for camping back in the old days....

I'm betting the actual setting was the East Branch.

[ZobZob]

It's good to see others have read the story. The best part about it is that you can visualize the place where he is from past experiences. Some people on this site have given reports that were able to do that for me before. It makes for better reading.

Zob

[Steve]

I have read those stories. Great stuff! My favorite parts are when he talks about the "fish car".

[Kevin]

Read it. Also read elsewhere that Hemingway is probably masking the fox. Seems credible.

[WILDCATWICK]

I've read all of Travers fishing related works. AWSOME. I was into Gierach and still admire him but Traver is the best fishing writer I have ever read. Every single story he has done has had me in stitches. My favorite was little Panama Canal. Talk about habitate improvement. :p I think Hemingway was talking about the Fox River, the upper main branch. PrtyMolusk, just curious on what leads you to think it was the East Branch of the Fox?

What was the rough dates on when Hemingway was in the U.P. I'm wondering if he was actually droped off in Blainey. It was the most popular U.P. destination amongst the elite sportsman back in the day and about a half day hike to upper part of Fox River.

[Apache Trout]

Literary critics are in agreement - Hemmingway fished the Fox but picked (among other reasons) the title of the story as the Big Two Hearted because it is more poetic than simply the Fox.

[esox master]

If you read Hemingway on Fishing, the beginning of the book it says that it is the Fox River.

[WILDCATWICK]

RRRRIIIIIGGGGHHHHHT, it's just like how all fisherman give up their river names, fisherman have never been know to lie or exagerate(lol)

[Whit1]

Actually it is Travers' book Trout Madness that is where he talks of "The Fish Car", and other marvelous tales.

As the days of April begin to lengthen, now and then bringing those warmer days where a guy can actually smell the earth beginning to stir underfoot, I take out my well worn copy of Trout Madness and again join hands with the author and marvel at his skill in describing adventures in his beloved U.P.

My favorite story is "The Intruder". I get goose bumps just thinking about that tale.

[CCC-Fisher]

I agree with you. I have most of travers books an am now rereading Danny and the Boys. FWIW, if you are interested in reading about the UP around 1900 and what it was like as a kid look for Cully Gage's 10 stories sometimes called The Northwoods Reader...as a child he stuttered badly yet went on to become a famous speech Pathologist. I especially appreciated the book as it showed how much of an influence his grandfather played in his young life... am now trying to do the same !!!!!

[WILDCATWICK]

ahhhhh......Toivo & Eino. I read Cully Gage and put them on tape for the Library for the Blind in Marquette. I have to say his tales are awsome. A very good writer who could make you feel like you were living in the U.P. in early 1900's. Very funny stuff. :D

[mickey]

Sounds like hemingway was not willing to give up a place that was special to him. What an interesting concept....

[Tinman]

I'm planning a fishing trip to the Mouth of the Two Hearted 2nd week in Sept. Anyone know if this is a good week to catch any runs, and if so, what? I was there several years back, but got there apparently between the 2 salmon runs, so am hoping for some action by moving it up a week. If no luck, any suggestions for any other good spots?

[hypox]

It should be good for coho's then....make sure and take you beach fishing gear!!

[Whit1]

If you are going to beach fish, you'll have to adapt something for holding rod holders on that rocky, cobble beach. It is impossible to use normal rod holders that you stick into the sand. The beach is cobble stone, not sand.

[hypox]

Yes, the beach is definatly stone. but, I had no problem with regular rod holders designed for sand. Be sure to take your waders and try some casting out there also!

[Tinman]

Thanks for the info., Guys. Got the waders packed, and will make up something for the rod holders. For fishin in Superior, any suggestions for line color and weight? Heard the cohos like Little Cleo lures; have you used those or something else?