The lives of two rival fishing families in a small Yorkshire village are pushed to the brink by the dangerous pursuit of salmon and the volatile nature of the North Sea. The narrative follows the competitive spirit of the Lunn and Fosdyck families as they navigate the physical hazards of the coast and the economic pressures of their trade. Through a third-person perspective, the story examines the obsession with the catch and the toll that the sea takes on those who depend on it for survival. The conflict escalates as the families push their boats and their bodies beyond reasonable limits to secure their livelihood.

This work is regarded as a significant piece of regional literature that captures the harsh realities of life in a coastal fishing village. The narrative is noted for its authentic technical detail and its ability to convey the raw power of the natural environment. Readers often highlight the intensity of the rivalry between the families as the primary driver of the story's momentum. The prose is characterized by a grounded, observational style that avoids sentimentality in favor of a stark depiction of the struggle for survival.