As "interpretations" go. Seems like there telling you the answers your fishing for right now, are to big for your understanding but even catching a "little" understanding is worth having. If the river was running up hill away from you, it seems that you are going to have to Work to reach there advancement and thus the knowledge albeit slowly at first (catching small fish) but with increased effort you will move on to larger fish further up the hill.

Seems they are watching you...awesome. (for many arn't worth their time) And even encouraging you to continue looking for answers and growing but not to become frustrated just tone down your ambitions a little. The fish is wasted if your not big enough to eat it.