Fishermen, as a species, are a superstitious lot. Traditions and folklore are passed down between generations on the banks of rivers and lakes while a fire gently crackles and Coleman lanterns hiss their lives away. Over gentle conversations between grandfolks and grandkids, the lore of decades is imparted in the minds of eager young kids. Some becomes vital in later years in the pursuit of fish while some are the even more vital scripts of superstition.

     We all see superstitions for what they are: beliefs based on irrational assumptions. Within a sport or hobby, though, these superstitions help to link generations that have few, if any, other connections. For many families, it is the superstitions that are the best remembered and the last forgotten. In any family that fishes, the superstitions of fishing often play a central role in the connection of family members, even if the lore is not readily remembered. Dad’s favorite fishing hat, ratty as it is, brings about nostalgia for the carefree days of a youth spent at the family cabin. It may not be remembered immediately that the reason the hat was favored was because that Dad was wearing it the day he caught the biggest pike he had ever seen and had considered it lucky forever after. In that way, superstitions also play a role in capturing a moment, preserving it forever without the need for camera or words.

     I follow a few superstitions that I have acquired over the years from who knows where. Even though I cannot remember where I picked them up, the defining moments were strong enough that they have carried forward to affect my life today. One of these involves one of the most essential of fishing accouterments, the hat.

     I know without a doubt that a hat can make or break a fishing trip. No other article of clothing has that power. For many, a specific hat is vital for a good fishing adventure and must be handy at all times. For me, any hat, most usually a baseball cap, may be worn as long as it fulfills the requirements. First, and most important, is that it may not be a hat that I have purchased for myself. Hats that have been given to me as presents, obtained as a bonus while making another purchase, or those being given away as promotional items are the best. Even as I write this, I am wearing a cap that came as a bonus while purchasing a Gatorback rod. The second requirement, which also has practical applications, is the cap must not be so delicate that it cannot be used for multiple purposes (fly-swatter, minnow trap) or not survive several unexpected soakings in river or rain. I always wear a hat that does not have mesh cloth as these offer the least protection from rain. Wearing a "frou-frou" cap will assuredly ruin an otherwise wonderful trip. It is best to not wear a hat at all. Third is that all new, unproved caps should be worn around the house and out to, say, the store before being allowed to go fishing. Some hats which meet the first two requirements simply do not feel right when being worn. They just do not feel like fishing caps. They will give nothing but grief. This is purely a judgment call. I always err on the side of caution.

     One superstition that I believe very strongly in and that many other anglers follow as well is choosing the "right" spot to break in a new reel or rod. If you want to successfully fish with equipment, it must be broken in a suitable location. If it is lightweight equipment, you must go to a place that has been proven to harbor a good population of properly sized fish. If it is a travel set, it must not be used in a local setting. I once waited a year and a half to find the perfect spot to use a travel set. Usually I am thinking of the break-in spot for a new rod or reel even before I actually pay for it. None of my poles have ever been broken-in in the same spot. Nothing you can do will ruin your chances of using a pole effectively more assuredly than improperly breaking in your rod.

     Another superstition that is widely held is the one of "holding your mouth right." If you did not land that last big catfish, you were not "holding your mouth right." It doesn’t matter how you were actually holding your mouth as long as you don’t hold it that way again on the next fish. This is sometimes difficult to do as it is hard to remember from one fish to the next what you were doing with your mouth. One thing my partner, and cousin, have discovered is that it seems your mouth is always right if you have a cigar in your mouth. It doesn’t have to be lit, although the smoke will keep away skeeters well. Perhaps a sucker would work as well, but I haven’t tried it. I need to next season. Anything for research.

     Several anglers have superstitions regarding specific pieces of equipment. If a favorite lure is somehow misplaced, the entire trip may be for naught even if your partner has the exact same lure in his box. Most every fisherman I know has a favored rod or reel that will assuredly catch fish when all others fail. Some boaters must fish off a specific side of the boat. Others must fish from the front or back ends. Some folks may not fish a certain spot that is fine for everyone else. The list is endless.

     It’s true superstitions have no basis in reality. They are merely creations of our minds. But they are powerful creations that affect our actions and the resultant outcomes. To laugh in the face of fate is to risk losing a boatload of fish or even the boat itself. Besides, some of them are fun.

     Some things my long-time fishing partner and I have believed through the years.

• That if we passed a car on a certain section of road on the way to Millstream Gardens, it would rain as we arrived and vastly improve the fishing. This worked 3 times and then failed to work anymore.
• That if we began fishing with the river flowing to our right that we would catch more fish. Didn’t even work once when done on purpose, but I did make $10 one day on our fish betting game.
• No good deed goes unpunished. If you loan your partner a pole or a lure, he will immediately catch the biggest fish you have ever seen. Therefore, you should share only with the utmost reluctance.
• If your first cast nets a fish, you will be cursed for the rest of the day. If you both catch fish on your first catch (has happened), you are in for top-notch fishing.
• Hat-tricks will assure that you will have good luck for the rest of the day in all arenas of your life. In hockey, a player gets a hat-trick if he scores three goals in a game. In fishing, a hat-trick is three fish on three casts. It actually isn’t that difficult when fishing for panfish.
• A child will always, always outfish you. This is not a superstition. This is a fact of life.
• Your favorite soft plastic bait will always be sold out when you desperately need a refill. Your partner’s won’t be.
• It takes approximately 4000 assorted hooks to assure you have the right size you need. Therefore, the luckiest angler is the one who is carrying the most hooks.
• When you say "One more cast", you mean it.