answer:Let’s break this down, one part at a time: I was out fishing on a deserted pier… This represents singularity. It can mean loneliness, but more likely represents a recent feeling of being “out on a limb” of some sort..the feeling of “going it alone” without the support of others. The water represents purity of intentions in regard to something or a desire to be cleansed from a recent (or ongoing) detachment or embarrassment. trying to catch some fish as pets… The fish are people in your life. The people are fish because of people who seem to be slippery, lack humanity, and are hard to get your hands on. This last point is re-enforced by your desire to have the fish as pets. Think about the difference between what some random dog represents and what a dog that is your pet represents. In the case of a dog it would represent a desire for more loyalty in your life. In the case of fish, they represent a desire to connect to people who are generally non-responsive and seem detached, not cuddly or warm. They kept dying as soon as I took them out of the water… The fish dying is an extension of the last sentence above. You desire connection and are frustrated by their lack of responsiveness. Your desire to have them as a pet is the equivalent to desiring a deeper relationship. Since they are fish, this is impossible. When I tried to scoop out some water in a bucket…they whole lake turned into dried mud… Consider what the lake represented to begin with “a desire to be cleansed from the feeling of detachment or embarrassment.” I hope this helps. Sincerely, David