Post by sinkingtip on Nov 28, 2007 18:08:31 GMT
Thought it might be interesting, and hopefully amusing, to start a thread on piscatorial 'superstitions'.
A couple of examples to get the thread started would be..........
A) "Tight Lines" - I have met, over the years quite a few anglers who consider this expression, when directed towards them, to be the 'kiss of death'. One in particular actually 'tackled down' on one occasion after hearing this and left the water without wetting a line (no, it wasn't me !)
B) Salmon on your 'piece' (a packed lunch for those not of working class Scottish origin)) - once heard a fisher say that he "never came to the riverbank with salmon on his piece" and claimed it brought him, and those around him, "bad luck". I believe the definition of 'salmon' was smoked, baked or tinned. Apparently sardines, tuna etc were perfectly acceptable.
C) On a sightly different tack but, nevertheless worth mentioning, was the late, and fondly remembered, Joe Elliot who was the Ghillie at Upper Murthly (that was in the days before the Murthly water was titled "one" and "two") - told us 'fresh faced and impressionable youths' about a "lassie who lived in the Dunkeld area and possessed the bonniest heid of red hair in Perthshire". Apparently this "lassie" would supply Joe, and a very select band of anglers, with her cut-off hair every so often. Joe claimed that the texture and strength of colour of this lady's hair made fantastic tying material for what can only be described as an early variation on a red 'shrimp' fly. For the record, and I can recall Joe telling me her name after a few drams, her surname wasn't Gowans !! - that much I do recall....and give him (and her) their due, the "flea" looked fantastic !!
D) I, on several occasions, had the pleasure to fish with an extremely 'interesting' gentlemen, who has since gone on to write a book on 'pheromones' (you probably know who I mean), claim that a friend of his (aye, right !) ALWAYS put his fly box under that side of the mattress on which his wife slept the night before a fishing trip and that there was a certain time of the month where this 'practice' was "extra deadly"....although I cant imagine what he meant by this....
Contributions appreciated........any more examples.............?? so whats yours ?
A couple of examples to get the thread started would be..........
A) "Tight Lines" - I have met, over the years quite a few anglers who consider this expression, when directed towards them, to be the 'kiss of death'. One in particular actually 'tackled down' on one occasion after hearing this and left the water without wetting a line (no, it wasn't me !)
B) Salmon on your 'piece' (a packed lunch for those not of working class Scottish origin)) - once heard a fisher say that he "never came to the riverbank with salmon on his piece" and claimed it brought him, and those around him, "bad luck". I believe the definition of 'salmon' was smoked, baked or tinned. Apparently sardines, tuna etc were perfectly acceptable.
C) On a sightly different tack but, nevertheless worth mentioning, was the late, and fondly remembered, Joe Elliot who was the Ghillie at Upper Murthly (that was in the days before the Murthly water was titled "one" and "two") - told us 'fresh faced and impressionable youths' about a "lassie who lived in the Dunkeld area and possessed the bonniest heid of red hair in Perthshire". Apparently this "lassie" would supply Joe, and a very select band of anglers, with her cut-off hair every so often. Joe claimed that the texture and strength of colour of this lady's hair made fantastic tying material for what can only be described as an early variation on a red 'shrimp' fly. For the record, and I can recall Joe telling me her name after a few drams, her surname wasn't Gowans !! - that much I do recall....and give him (and her) their due, the "flea" looked fantastic !!
D) I, on several occasions, had the pleasure to fish with an extremely 'interesting' gentlemen, who has since gone on to write a book on 'pheromones' (you probably know who I mean), claim that a friend of his (aye, right !) ALWAYS put his fly box under that side of the mattress on which his wife slept the night before a fishing trip and that there was a certain time of the month where this 'practice' was "extra deadly"....although I cant imagine what he meant by this....
Contributions appreciated........any more examples.............?? so whats yours ?