Living in the isolated, rural land of Schoharie hills, a man named Clay Miller loves nothing more than the routine of keeping his house and farm. One day, his routine is interrupted by his wife, Helen, who announces that he has received a telegram from Harry Larkin, an old friend with whom Clay had fought in the Korean War. Harry, who is in town, asks Clay if there are any good fishing spots near where he lives, and Clay sends a telegram back,  giving instructions on how to get to his home. When Harry arrives, he and Clay catch up for a bit before heading to Schoharie Creek, but Harry becomes disappointed when he is unable to catch any fish for dinner. Clay says that Harry can try again tomorrow, and Harry tells him that this was not the type of life he had expected Clay to lead, as he believes that Clay is more suited for an upbeat lifestyle. Clay counters that he enjoys his land and working it, but Harry says that he should do something that isn’t on the sidelines; he personally works for a company that makes machine parts and weapons. As Clay says he will reflect more, a big brown trout jumps into the air from the water, and Harry becomes excited again. They decide to return the next day, but Harry has no luck. On the last day of Harry’s visit, Clay tells him where to drop his line, the place where he knows the trout lives. Harry says that he thinks Clay doesn’t actually want anyone to catch the trout, but Clay encourages him. Finally, Harry succeeds in catching the trout, but after studying it for a moment, he releases it back into the water. When Clay asks why, Harry smiles and says that the trout belongs here, just like Clay does.