Have been reading Peter Cockwill's Trout from Small Stillwaters. In the chapter on stalking he writes about some people foul hooking on purpose. Am being a bit dim clearly but can't understand why anyone would deliberately foul hook a fish. Can someone enlighten me?
PS Any good suggestions for a straightforward flytying book gratefully received (Have been working my way through Peter Gathercole's Flytying for beginners but fancy some new patterns)
Thanks
Alex

I have it on good authority that some salmon anglers cast and retrieve a heavy Toby through pools literally packed with fish waiting to move upstream. Inevitably they foul hook one. This clearly is not sportsman like or in the best traditions of salmon fishing.

To get it in the bag using a method which requires a zero level of skill. Legal position is that all foul hooked fish are to be returned. Often termed "snatching".

Why?
Well, some foul hook because they want a fish to eat or to sell or to give away and impress the neighbours.
Sometimes, a youngster or beginner gets frustrated, over excited and gives into temptation.
As for the others who do it - who knows why? They're not fishermen so you probably won't get an answer on this forum. (hopefully not)

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"Take not out your 'ounds on a werry windy day" Surtees.

cant remember the guys name, but a few years ago he made a career out of fouling the biggest fish in the country (from dever springs I think), got his own column in one of the mags. he couldn't take the guilt and admitted it in the end