Norman Maclean
Norman is the main character in the story and also the narrator of the story. Norman is the one who in a few pages presents his and his brother’s lives and how they grew up to become men. Norman was born in Montana in the beginning of the 20th century in a Presbyterian family. His father, a deeply religious man and also a minister, tried to raise his sons to be good and honest men. Norman is the one who is more obedient than his brother and while his profession is never stated, it is implied that it is something his father would have approved of. Norman is married to a woman named Jessie and the two lived together with Jessie’s parents some distance away from Norman’s family. Despite this, Norman tried to maintain a close relationship with his parents and brother and when he felt it was necessary he tried to help Paul turn his life around. He is unfortunately unable to do it and towards the end of the story Paul dies after he is beaten for some unknown reason in an alley.
Paul Maclean
Paul is Norman’s little brother though it is not mentioned the number of years between the two. From the first chapter, it becomes clear that while Norman is the obedient child, Paul is the rebellious one who doesn’t want to listen to anyone and who doesn’t like being told what to do. Paul loves fishing from a young age and he is better than Norman but despite this he doesn’t try to criticize Norman for being less competent than him. Instead, in his own way, Paul tries to help his brother become better at fishing as well. Paul becomes a correspondent and he spends his free time fly-fishing, drinking and gambling. It is implied that his drinking problem became uncontrollable and he even ended up in prison a few times because of it. Despite this, he refused to get help or be helped and at the end of the story he dies in a street brawl.
Mr. Maclean
Paul and Norman’s father is an important character and figure because he influenced greatly the lives of his sons. Mr. Maclean is the patriarch of the family and the son of immigrants which he is proud of. he loves fishing just as much he loves God and he spends his time being a Presbyterian minister and fly-fishing in the afternoons and weekends. His biggest accomplishment remains his sons and he feels proud when they invite him to join them for a fishing trip after they grow up. While he is absent from the second part of the story, he remains an important character because he is the one who influenced his sons’ lives the most.
Ms. Maclean
Ms. Maclean is Norman and Paul’s mother and she as well is not mentioned by her given name just like her husband. While the reader doesn’t find much information about her, it is clear than Norman and Paul love her deeply and would never do anything that they knew it will hurt her. In fact, they even start fighting when one of them pushes her accidentally in the first chapter.
Neal
Neal is Jessie’s brother and Norman’s brother-in-law who appears in the second and third chapter of the book. Neal is described as being the complete opposite of Norman and Paul in the idea that he lost touch with the place he was born in. Neal is described as being an immature man too busy drinking himself to death to do something good with his life.
Jessie
Jessie is the woman with which Norman married. Jessie cares about her brother in the same way Norman cares about Paul and she tries to help him by sending him to learn how to fish with Norman and Paul.
Florence
Florence is Jessie’s mother and also Neal’s. Florence is loved both by Norman and Paul but they also fear her because they know that nothing is bigger than her love for Neal.
Old Rawhide
Old Rawhide is the town prostitute and she and Neal get involved briefly.
Ken
Ken is Jessie’s brother that joins them during the first fishing trip.
Dorothy
Dorothy is Ken’s wife who is also present during the fishing trip.
