An ancient pursuit turned from a method of survival to a leisurely activity; in modern times, fishing has had a bit of an image problem.
Some see it as a dull or mundane choice for a sunny day, and a rather lonely one at that. However, over the years, entertainment has been able to swing this narrative, with the additional benefits of the activity increasingly being showcased in mainstream circles. Next to add to this turn will be a new Netflix TV show.
Emphasizing the Action Winning Over the Masses
Fishing is a sport of skill and know-how. You need to find the right spot, pick the right lure and bait, cast just right, and be ready for a battle at any moment. The unknown fish on the end of the line will also dictate how the angler thinks they have to react and battle them. With all of this in play, there’s a tremendous amount of achievement in actually landing a fish, and it’s this angle that entertainment leans into.
Just take the Big Bass Splash slot experience. It’s one of the best-known slot games in the UK primarily because the core feature ties into this angle of fishing action so naturally. In this mode, players can catch a variety of fish carrying different prize sizes when they land a fisherman. A similar build-up and focus can be seen in the myriad of fishing TV shows that helped to change the perception of angling.
River Monsters set up each episode with a mystery attack in some remote location in the world. Then, Jeremy Wade would venture there, meet the locals, and go into the wilds to see if he can catch this fish. The tiger fish, arapaima, and stingray episodes stand out for these intense, dramatized battles on the water. Deadliest Catch, Wicked Tuna, Extreme Fishing, and more also leverage drama against the action parts of going fishing.
New Josh Hartnett Film to Add to the Intrigue
To make fictional stories out of fishing, creatives have turned to adding a little bit more to the setting. On October 8, the Josh Hartnett-led Below looks to add even more action and possibly a dose of fear to the angling profession. In the six-part thriller revolved around a small Canadian town and a stubborn fisherman (Hartnett). He and his crew find that the town is being terrorized by an unknown sea creature – which is said to be drawn from local myths.
Other recent entries to this niche arena have either leaned fully into the down-to-earth nature of the activity or used it to leverage something much stranger. Looking Through Water, which is based on the novel of the same name and Catching Big Fish by Bob Rich, is about a man and his son entering a fishing competition in Belize. On the other hand, a film based in a little British fishing town becomes a time-travelling mystery.
Rose of Nevada is set in a Cornish fishing town where strange occurrences revolving around the titular ship lead to some rather stark discoveries. Helping to empower this trip are the time-travel elements, which gradually help to reveal exactly what’s going on with this bizarre fishing vessel. A devotion to the setting of Cornwall by creator Mark Jenkin certainly came through in the film and helped it to enjoy a very positive reception.
Fishing is enjoying a moment in entertainment and the mainstream right now, with Below potentially set to be the next big hit within the niche.
