coarse fishing

[ethandron]

why is it called 'coarse fishing'? i always used to think it was 'course', because it was set over a certain area of a river or canal or whatever i.e. a course, but saw a sign yesterday that read 'coarse fishing'. what's 'coarse' about it? thanks.

[paddywak]

I dont know for sure but I think it came from the days when fly fishing for "Game" fish such as salmon and trout was the preserve of the rich, the so called "refined" members of society, where as other forms 0f fishing were practiced by the rest, the "Coarse" majority

[Milvus]

It's because you are fishing for "coarse" fish. Those are fish that are not considered "Game" fish, Salmon, trout, grayling, char. All game fish have an extra fin (adipose) between the main dorsal fin and the tail

[Milvus]

that's a sad view on life but has nothing to do with coarse fish.

[Milvus]

I come from Bow in the East End of London and have fished game and coarse around the country with all types of people. We anglers do not have the class problems you seem to harbour

[ethandron]

thank you for your answers. i googled it myself (which i should have done in the first place) and have found the answer which corresponds with what milvus says - it's the fish which are deemed 'coarse' and not the people fishing them. you live and learn.

[ethandron]

i take nothing as gospel, and that includes opinions here on answerbank.