[Jim Eddie]

Since we were on the subject of women and pheromones (The Hairy Mary) do you think there is any credence in that’s it a big Salmon attractor ?
Personally I think there has got to be something behind it ,Largest rod caught Salmon (dead bait) in the UK Miss Georgina Ballentine , 64 lbs river Tay 1922.

The river Deveron holds the UK record for a fly caught salmon. The male fish of 61lbs was caught on a fly in 1924 by Mrs ‘Tiny’ Morrison.

The record for the biggest spring salmon is held by a woman; Doreen Davey's 59-1/2lb salmon was caught in March 1923 from the Wye.

In the September of 1927, Gladys Blanche Huntington took four hours to land a 55lb salmon from the River Awe - it had been hooked in the back of the head so was much harder to tire out. Then, in the autumn of the following year, the very stylish Lettice Ward caught a 50lb fish on the Kinnaird beat of the Tay.

Surely this cannot be a coincidence , when you compare the numbers of men fishing for salmon the fairer sex must be outnumbered by 100 to 1, so whey do they hold all the records is it the pheromones or do you have another theory 

 

Jim 

[Jay Scott]

Thats some intresting information Jim... didn't realise there was that many records held by our women anglers... as for other theories it will be intresting to see... somethings going on.

Might be time to raid the perfune isle in tescos 

Jay

[GARYBOY]

ever tried arguing or tried telling a woman she IS wrong ,poor salmon dont stand a chance

[Peter McCallum]

In Salmo the Leaper Hugh Falkus puts womens success down to their persistance in fishing when men would be in the fishing hut having a drink or food.

[Rob Brownfield]

Mr Falkus was onto something I think.

I'll sometimes have a wander down to the river and stand and watch the people fishing. When ladies have been working their way down the pool, they are quieter, their casts tend to be shorter (no showing off with there 16 foot spey casting beasts of rods ), their tackle more delicate (13 foot 9 weights) and their whole approach to the river is more restrained.

I am supprised at how many anglers crash into the water at the head of the pool, wade as deep as they can get, then place long casts across the fish rather than shorter casts too the fish. This does not seem to be the case with the fairer sex...coz they are scaredy cats and not "manley" of course

But I am sure this softer approach brings more fish...and the bigger fish are the ones that tend to spook at the slightest disturbance...sooooo, maybe thats the answer...or at least part of it???

[Hamish Young]

Interesting topic 

Back in the old days, when I was a Ghillie, I very often had the ladies to deal with (often not at all onerous, if I'm honest... ). Often this meant a wee bit of instruction and generally sticking with them for their day or two on my beat.
I've a couple of observations.
#1.
Nearly all the time the ladies were (if even half way 'able') far quicker and better learners then their male counterparts as they listened to what they were being told and put into practice what they were told - generally without questioning their instruction. Casting miles isn't necessarily always the way to be catching fish, and the ladies stayed within what they could manage wheras most 'chaps' seemed determined to hit the far bank with every cast 
#2.
Patience. To put up with some of the 'chaps' who they were married to (or escorting.... ahem  ) I'm convinced the ladies must have had reserves of patience that only a saint could match! Being able to harness that in their angling was one of the keys to their success I think. Perhaps they were more chilled, more relaxed somehow - I dunno.
But without fail I'd say that of the beginners that passed through my beat, when complete novices, the ladies outfished the men 3-1.
Easy 

Thank God my wife never took up angling 

Hamish 

[Rob Brownfield]

Have to agree with Hamish about "learning".

I was a part time motorcycle instructor for a few years during the college holiday when not lecturing and the lady learners definitely listened more. None of the bravardo of the blokes!..and on a motorbike thats important!..lol.

They sometimes took longer to gain confidence, but I always felt they where much more aware of what was going on around them then guys.

And I guess that ties in to what Hamish says. Steadier approach to learning, much more willing to be corrected and much more patience.