Okie Noodling


Okie Noodling is a 2001 documentary film examining the practice of handfishing in rural Oklahoma.

Plot

As much about the subculture surrounding handfishing, the film documents this practice of wading in murky water and sticking your hand into dark holes hoping a plus catfish will latch onto your hand and arm. Missing fingers and toes on some noodlers attest to the danger and excitement of the sport, a method hundreds of years old.
The film emphasizes how noodling is believed to have originated with white settlers, with at least one reference known to have dated from 1775. Most evidence suggests that Native Americans typically only fished using tools such as spears and cages.

Music

The soundtrack for Okie Noodling is performed by The Flaming Lips and was written specifically for the film.