I read a Bruce Sandison article today; one that I first read a good few years ago. It reminded me of the little appreciated angling technique that Mr Sandison calls "the art of thoughtless fishing".

When I originally read the article, I thought that possibly Mr Sandison had been suffering from writers block with a deadline looming. I confess to thinking that this technique was but a flight of fancy; a bit of a page filler. How wrong I was.

Some time after first becoming acquainted with the art of thoughtless fishing, I found myself alone in a boat on Loch Watten, having one of those desperate days that all anglers dread. The sort of day where the fishing is fruitless and the water feels devoid of all life.

One small trout had martyred itself to give me false hope, but 6 hours drifting and casting; changing flies and lines; with nothing else to show had reduced me to daydreaming. Basically, I had given up and was now going through the motions. This condition however, is ideal preparation for pursuing the art of thoughtless fishing, and it was while in this condition that the words of Mr Sandison came to mind, urging me to take that step of faith and test the fundamental action that constitutes the art of thoughtless fishing. Yes, it was time to sing to the fish.

I believe Mr Sandison's favoured tune is Handel's Messiah, but not being too familiar with that work, I opted for a blast of "Amazing Grace". Now remember, I was not a believer, but it took only one cast to make me a convert. Up from the depths she arose, taking my Half Hog and changing my fishing life forever. Four more silver flanked fish followed; amazing indeed!

Admittedly, this is an art and not a science. I don't know why it works, but it has worked for me on more than one occasion now. Maybe, as Mr Sandison writes, it is something to do with relaxing the angler to a degree where he has a more natural and softer way of angling. I can't think that I did anything mechanically different on Watten that day, but something did seem to change as the music flowed over the water.

I don't use the art every time, nor does it work every time that I do use it, but the art of thoughtless fishing has saved the day many more times than a flight of fancy should. Make of it what you will.

To Mr Sandison I say a heart felt "Thank you".

And whether believer or doubter a "Happy Christmas and joyful New Year to you all".

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But Jesus beheld them and said unto them, "With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."

Matthew 19:26

Dont know about singing but a coffee with a nip of whiskey does the job for me.

Flyinghigh

Sounds a bit like Zen Buddhism to me, but each to their own. Have a cool yule.

Great post, Gander. I too practise this technique, though it doesn't always work for me. The reason it can work is that it's the exact opposite of 'flogging the water' which is what I used to (and sometimes still do) find myself doing when the going gets tough.
The trick is, as you say, to 'give up', relax and still the unquiet mind. Then you start to cast and fish better.
There is a variation on this technique, also mentioned by Bruce which I call 'watch the birdie'. It happens spontaneously; the flies are cast, then I'm distracted by the wildlife. It might be a bird flying overhead or deer coming down to the water. As I gaze in wonder a splash and a mighty tug bring me back to fishing reality. This has happened to me a lot.
Of course I've tried cheating, ie pretending to see something and looking away, but this just doesn't work. It has to be a genuine distraction. The fish know the difference.

Have to go now; just noticed an ambulance outside and a couple of men in white coats walking up the garden path.....................

It is, actually. One of the many forms of meditation.
Now for my medication..............

Have you been at the altar wine Gander.....what a load of superstitious nonsense...

I'll give it a whirl the next time I'm struggling though,just in case.....

Does it matter what ye sing......I don't know any Handel I'm afraid.....Will Thin Lizzy do.....?

aw the best....

tottally agree but you should see the looks i get from random boat partners in competitions when i start belting out a million green bottles

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lets fish the clydeGuide

I read some years ago an article by a coarse angler, who would sing to induce bites. He reckoned it was due to the vibrations passing down the rod!

What I do find surprising is the number of times I go to chat to a fellow member on our reservoir and within a couple of minutes they catch or have a pull, often having previously not caught. It's always remarked upon and happens far too often to be coincidence.

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How poor a thing, sometimes I find,
Will captivate a greedy mind - Isaac Walton.

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*****©(

Many years ago I used to fish with an old gentleman in the West of Ireland. On dog days he would whistle to the fish and almost always he would catch 2 or 3. He was fishing for the pot and if he did not catch it was vegitables only for dinner next day.
Happy Christmas everybody and tight lines for 2010
Bill

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Handeman

I'm not sure about Thin Lizzy as I think it has to be musical.

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But Jesus beheld them and said unto them, "With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."

Matthew 19:26

yep it worked for me too. my one was whenever the river fishing got tough and i was all but losing hope, i would light up a fag. nearly everytime i lit up, at the worst time a grayling would usually give my fly a could thud. they could never wait for me to finish my fag could they

anyway i'v stopped smoking now so only the good lord knows what i'm going to do when i start fishing again

merry christmas to one and all

burhan

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I could fish deep into the night
Well past the light
But at the end of the day
It's the end of the day

Burhan

mc_death187@yahoo.com