Okie Noodling (2001)

Director:

Bradley Beesley

Release Date:

10 March 2001 (USA)

Genre:

Documentary

Tagline:

No Hooks, No Bait, No Fear

Plot:

For centuries, a unique breed of fishermen has been catching monster catfish with their bare hands in the rivers and lakes of Oklahoma...

Plot Keywords:

Handfishing | Lake | River | Catfish | Oklahoma

Runtime:

57 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Company:

Little League Pictures

Movie Connections:

Followed by Okie Noodling II (2008)

Catfish Cult

Noodling, also referred to as handfishing, is a sport – and since it is legally recognized in several states, a sanctioned one to boot – that few of us have heard of and far fewer of us would want to try. Basically we are talking here of groping around along creek banks and nabbing river catfish. But this documentary brings us an appreciation of the participants and just how, using current vernacular, extreme an activity has been filmed by director Bradley Beesley.

Not technically the best movie we have seen (lighting is an issue at times, for example) we nonetheless are entranced as we meet and follow the noodlers. Most certainly nearly 100% of these anglers are men; that demographic would also seem to include white men somewhere in the middle class, or at least that is the group we follow throughout.

Described by all participants as the most visceral of fishing experiences, they all have a common trait – absolute dedication to catching catfish by hand. No one would surmise so many miles of creek, river and lake shores are even extant in Oklahoma, but we find noodlers groping in and wading along a goodly portion of it. The picture we are left with is a man mostly submerged feeling with his hands along the bank.

The fish (river catfish are BIG, 60 pound fish being the top end in the size category) are caught by plunging an arm into its mouth and reaching around until the gills are firmly grasped. Therefore most of the forearm up to the elbow is engaged. This is as personal as one can get with a slimy river critter. Having been plunged into as primordial a situation (a palpably fetid and organic creek bank in the steamy Oklahoma summertime) as can be found in the U.S. adds to the - well, charm.

This is easily one of the best domestic documentaries we have seen in recent years. Like snake handling (which is mentioned), we always feel we are viewing the activities of almost cult-like devotees. Listening carefully to Jerry the custodian, the father-son (Red and Dave) team, wives of noodlers and Lee Baggett and find compulsive behavior explained by the masters. The organization towards the end of the film of a tournament (arranged just like any fishing tournament) gives the perfect touch as it focuses our attention on the reaction (and apparent discomfort) of loners now competing within their formerly very private ranks.

Rating: 3.5 Stars.