Reading this poem at least to me, it seemed that the fisherman found a kinship with the fish. Looking at it's battle scars, the five hooks hanging from its mouth "Like medals with their ribbons frayed and wavering" from the previous perilous situations the fish had found itself in its life, it seemed very similar to the trials and tribulations a human must face and overcome in their own. "Here and there his brown skin hung in strips like ancient wallpaper", is like how humans acquire wrinkles throughout their journey through life. After examining the fish, and seeing the way it has aged, noting the proud accomplishments the fish has gained in its lifetime the fisherman says "I stared and stared and victory filled up the little rented boat". This is where I think the fisherman found kinship with the fish, noticing all its been through in its life they probably saw a reflection of their own life, and with this new found relation to the fish-this new respect, everything around the fisherman becomes "rainbow, rainbow, rainbow!". It's within this revelation and in celebration of their similar hard fought journeys, the fisherman lets the fish go.
yes, this is certainly one line (pun intended) to follow in the poem--the speaker's identifying with--more accurately, attributing (human) value ("values") to... though this also suggests, as do some of the critics (see study sheet)--as does some key imagery--the limits of that line...or, where it snaps...
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