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mooch ((2))
DCHP-2 (Oct 2016)
v. — Fishing, especially British Columbia & Washington State
to fish with a line with light tackle and live bait, usually herring, behind either a slow-moving or stationary boat.
Type: 5. Frequency — On the west coast of Canada and the US, mooch refers to a particular angling tactic. There are two types of mooching -- drift-mooching and motor-mooching. In drift-mooching the boat remains stationary and the line left to drift, only occasionally being reeled in to change the bait's depth. Motor-mooching involves putting the boat's motor in and out of gear to impart movement to the bait (see Rivers Inlet reference). Mooching is an alternative to the also-popular technique known as "trolling", in which the boat moves faster. Mooching is seen as one of the most effective fishing methods for catching salmon (see Haury 1947: 85), which accounts for its popularity in British Columbia.
The origin of mooch in this sense is unclear, though a legend says that Japanese fishermen initially developed the practice in the 1920s and blamed American fishermen for "mooching", or pilfering, their fishing technique (see Sitka or Bust reference). Though the term also appears in American English, particularly in the West, it is most frequent in Canada (see Chart 1).
See also Gage-3, s.v. "mooch", which is marked "Cdn.", and OED-3, s.v. "mooch" (v.7), which is marked "U.S. (west.) and Canad.".
The origin of mooch in this sense is unclear, though a legend says that Japanese fishermen initially developed the practice in the 1920s and blamed American fishermen for "mooching", or pilfering, their fishing technique (see Sitka or Bust reference). Though the term also appears in American English, particularly in the West, it is most frequent in Canada (see Chart 1).
See also Gage-3, s.v. "mooch", which is marked "Cdn.", and OED-3, s.v. "mooch" (v.7), which is marked "U.S. (west.) and Canad.".
Quotations
1961
. . . most anglers troll, rather than mooch or strip-cast with light, sporty but riskier tackle.
1980
Gibsons is the hot spot again this week. A 25 pounder was taken by Sam Samson mooching off Gower Point. Lots of 4 to 5 pound cohos are being caught on the outside. Try Camp Byng and Gower Point. Mooch between 15 and 30 feet.
1987
Guests learn how to strip line so it is free of snags, and to check the bait regularly to ensure it is clear of seaweed and other possible paraphernalia. For the squeamish, Miller baits the lines herself: we initially "mooched" and then trolled. Mooching consists of putting either live herring or herring strips on a hooked line together with a two-ounce weight, peeling yards of line out into the water and sitting at anchor with a cup of coffee until the fish bite.
1999
The jigging is excellent for those using riptide strikers and six- or eight-ounce needle fish jigs. Fishermen should mooch with live herring. Some chinook are being found north of the Seymour Narrows.
2007
There are times when trout seem to be immune to fly-fishers who cast flies over still waters. Yet when you take the same patterns and slowly mooch them along the lake, you will frequently catch fish.
References
- Rivers Inlet • "Fishing Technique"
- Haury (1947)
- Gage-3
- OED-3 • "mooch"
- Sitka or Bust • "Mooching for Salmon and Soaking for Halibut"
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