The Maclean brothers, Paul and Norman, live a relatively idyllic life in rural Montana, spending much of their time fly fishing. The sons of a minister, the boys eventually part company when Norman moves east to attend college, leaving his rebellious brother to find trouble back home. When Norman finally returns, the siblings resume their fishing outings, and assess where they've been and where they're going.

A tale of tragedy, confusion and murder as the lives of a man grieving the death of his daughter, two would-be thieves, and a madman and his servant intertwine with each other when a cosmic phenomenon causes one day to become longer than the rest.