| Okie Noodling | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Bradley Beesley |
| Studio | Redline Entertainment |
| Release date(s) | 2001 |
| Running time | 57 min |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Okie Noodling is a 2001 documentary examining the practice of handfishing in rural Oklahoma.
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 30-pound (14 kg) 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.
The soundtrack for Okie Noodling is performed by The Flaming Lips and was written specifically for the film.