The American Angler Volume 27 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1897 Excerpt: ...about a fisherman's life and his superstitions," asked the reporter of the veteran. "Fishermen don't have any superstitions, sir, and if they have they are far below those that you land lubbers are a prey to." "You just now mentioned one--'wet Friday, wet Sunday." "That's no superstition; that's a fact and one you can't alter. I've grown old in the business, and as long as I can remember I've never seen a wet Friday that was not followed by a wet Sunday." "Don't you think it superstitious not to go fishinjr on Friday? Why should you select that as being an unlucky day?" "No, I don't. Just so long as fish have lived in the water and men have taken them out Friday has been an unlucky daj for our trade. You just try it and you'll lind that I'm right." ""Why is it that you never allow whistling on board a fishing boat?" "Because, me boy, it's calling on Old Nick to make his appearance, and he always brings wind with him." "Fishermen don't like to begin any un dertaking on Monday. What is the reason of that superstition?" "I told you a minute ago that it was not a superstition. The meaning of it is bad Monday, bad week." "Now, if one of your shipmates should smash a looking glass on board ship you give up all hopes of getting a good haul' "Yes, sir; I never saw it fail yet, and I have seen a good many broken in my time, and just as sure as it occurred a gale came on and blew great guns, and we were compelled to run for shelter. If that failed, then we caught no fish. I've known men that had to go out of the business because they were always smashing things, and no one would sail with them. I dare say you would laugh at me if I told you that I got a good ...