Totally depends on the venue and circumstances, however on our beat, lunch is from 1-2pm regardless of fish running.
I see it as both a conservation measure and an hour away from the guests............... ;D ;D
I think Jock has hit the nail here.
Nobody wants to appear rude, disrespectful or anti social in ANY context of daily life ...... especially "a day at the fishing".
If the beat rules are that you must cease
all fishing activity between 1pm and 2pm then so be it.
"Rules is rules" after all and as pub landlord Al Murray says "Where would we be without rules ? - France !! ...... where would we be with too many rules ? - Germany !!".
Don't get me wrong, I consider myself to be as gregarious as the next bloke and the thrill of scoping out another mans piece box over lunch is every bit as enjoyable (occasionally rewarding) as casting an envious eye over his flee box !!.
Tweedsider also makes a good comparison in that lunch should be no more than a "refueling exercise" at certain times of the year and under certain conditions.
This is certainly a more applicable description during the early (Jan - March) or late (October - November) parts of the season when, arguably, the air/water temperatures will be at their most favourable and if you consider it, lunch is
not a 1hr exercise as, in all probability, you will have had to stop fishing around 12.30 pm wherever you are on the beat in order to arrive at the appointed shed for 1pm.
Add to this at least another 30 minutes post lunch for getting to your PM pools and you can end up having a non fishing timespan closer to
two hours rather than one which, at certain times of the season, can equate to a fair skelp of the day.
It kind of goes without saying that during the 'summer' months lunch could or
should last from about noon til approx 5/6pm during which time a leisurely lunch, a quick kip or a bit of 'networking' can all be achieved comfortably before the onslaught of evening - on those beats who allow fishing after 5pm that is (some dont !!) ..... now theres a denner time !
In general terms, and for the avoidance of doubt, I have always preferred the expression "change over time" as opposed to "lunchtime" on beats where an upper / lower division is deemed best practice.
This in itself
should mean that you can, if you wish and without any negative 'comeback', fish a pool until
1pm (not a second later and
regardless of fish movement) even though this might result in you not making it back in time for the 1pm sit-down which, in theory, should result in nothing more heinous than a self inflicted bout of heartburn - "at 2pm were off 't the tap half fella so get that pot noodle doon ye and dinna be huddin anybody up !!"
To end where I started, I think the rules of etiquette here would
have to be governed by "the circumstances" - time of year / split or single party / knowledge of the beat / upper + lower division (or not) ..... all of which will be dictated by the ghillie on the day and for the benefit of all .... sans doubt
regards
STip
