A few months back I stumbled on a ‘nature show’ on PBS while browsing the channels. The beautiful footage of Dolly Varden Char immediately caught my eye. The film was “RiverWebs - A true story about life, death, science, and streams”, produced by FreshWater Illustrated with numerous partners and sponsors. It was released in 2006. As I watched it beame clear that it indeed was about trout but there was more there as you got under the surface. (sorry, had to) It was about streams, the wonderful cathedrals we walk in everyday as trout fisherman and the lifecycle web that surrounds them. I found it a fascinating and compelling viewpoint of a fisherman that was also a scientist. It was the story of Dr. Shigeru Nakano.
Dr. Nakano was a fascinating man with a lifetime love of water and fishing and also a brilliant observer. While most fly fishers keenly observe the environment around them, will study the bottom of rocks they pull up or may seine the river for hatch info, it is the rare breed that is looking at what is happening from literally beneath the reflective surface of the water. Dr. Nakano was clearly that person and “RiverWebs” high production values and extensive underwater footage are successful conveying his point of view, a glimpse of how he uniquely considered and saw rivers and streams.
The combination of interviews with Nakano’s friends, fellow scientists and colleagues and compelling narration are punctuated by excellent footage of river life from bugs to birds to bats. Not since I had discovered the Nat Geo’s “5 Stages of Insect Life in a River” illustration as a kid, had I been able to truly appreciate the materials and processes of the ecosystems. I quickly started thinking about how many times I had been fishing and not just stuck my head underwater.
Although 5 years old, the film is still a fresh HD production that had me experiencing the glee of being 10 years old and chasing all that moved in the water with exuberant discovery. But simultaneously it skillfully built in me what I think anyone that met Dr. Nakano must have experienced, respect and admiration for someone who saw things differently. I found myself frustrated that a scientist of this caliber had to spend the time to prove what surely should already be univeral knowledge, that the web of life connects us all. However by the end of the film I was celebrating Nakano et al, as I realized the vital importance of having their data, theories and proofs documented for all that do not realize how closely as humans we are connected to the ecosystem.
Additionally, I built up some opinion about the proliferation of non-indigenous Rainbow Trout, but that is another discussion.
This documentary successfully demonstrates the complex relationship between human scientists and closely parallels that relationship with the complexity of the worlds these scientist study and discover. It is a stirring tribute to the memory of Shigeru Nakano that allows all of us as spectators to be inspired by his exuberance to impact on ecology, through his observations.
Shigeru Nakano died in the pursuit of knowledge with the hope that his discoveries would have profound effect on how we all interact with nature. I came away with a deep regard for his work and the feeling that if we all gave a fraction of the energy he gave, back to nature, the environment we depend on for our sport—would be ok. This film should be viewed by as many people as can be exposed to it. It is a wonderful way to keep Nakano’s efforts alive through the education of others and open the eyes of children to the magnificent world in which we live and play. For more info about non-profit use or owning your own copy see the Riverwebs site.
Freshwaters Illustrated (FI) did a fantastic job in the production and the presentation of scientific information is non-intimidating. FI is producing remarkable work in studying and documenting river ecosystems and providing it for educational screenings to anyone who is interested. They have spent the early spring and summer in the Southeast and are captureing remarkable imagery.
For more information about RiverWebs, visit FreshwatersIllustrated.org. I encourage all to take a moment to discover their incredible library of media and images and join as a supporting member. They provide a number of resources to academics, advocates, educators and the media as they document our precious waters and streams and the life that abounds in them.
