Worm charming
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Worm charming, worm grunting, and worm fiddling are methods of attracting earthworms from the ground. The activity is usually performed to collect bait for fishing but can also take the form of a competitive sport. As a skill and profession worm charming is now very rare, with the art being passed through generations to ensure that it survives.[1][2]
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[edit] Methods
Most worm charming methods involve vibrating the soil. These vibrations encourage the worms to the surface, but the exact reason for this is debated. While some believe that the vibration simulates rainfall others say that the worms are trying to reach the surface in order to escape from what they believe is a hungry mole. The same technique is used by many species of bird who devour the worms as they appear above ground.[1]
The activity is known by several different names and the apparatus and techniques vary significantly.[1][2] "Worm grunting" generally refers to the use of a "stob", a wooden stake that is driven into the ground, and an "iron" which is used to rub the stob.[3] "Worm fiddling" also uses a wooden stake but utilises a dulled saw which is dragged along its top.[1]
Many other methods exist, ranging from tap dancing to meditation.[4]
[edit] Soil conditions
Worms are most commonly found in damp or wet conditions and tend to move away from dry soil. The success of worm charming can often depend on these soil conditions, with charmers choosing damp locations or using water to attract the worms.[1][2][3]
[edit] Worm charming as a profession
Worms are sold as a live bait for fishermen and many sellers use worm charming techniques to gather their stock. In some locations professional worm grunters need to obtain a permit in order to ply their trade.[3]
[edit] Competitive worm charming
In most competitions the fiddlers with the collector (or collectors) of the most worms in a set time being declared as the winners. They usually have a zone in which to perform their charming, measuring three yards square.
One of the first worm charming events took place in a school fête at Willaston County Primary School in Willaston, Cheshire. The "World Worm Charming Championship" started in 1980 and is now an annual event that celebrates the sport. It was organised by then-headmaster John Bailey, who wrote the original rules for the competition. The current world record, as listed by Guinness World Records, was established at that first event with teenager Tom Shufflebotham collecting 511 worms in 30 minutes.[4]
In 2000 the "Worm Gruntin' Festival" began in Sopchoppy, Florida, which claims to be the "Worm Gruntin' Capital of the World". The event includes a ball and the crowning of a "Worm Gruntin' Queen".[1]
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ a b c d e f Sutton, Keith. ESPN. 20 March 2007. "Fiddling For Worms". Accessed 7 June 2007.
- ^ a b c Phillips, John E. MotherEarthNews.com. 1 May 1980. "Fiddling for fish bait". Accessed 7 June 2007.
- ^ a b c Tobin, Thomas C. St. Petersburg Times. 14 April 2002. "Gruntin' and gathering". Accessed 7 June 2007.
- ^ a b Berrington, Lucy. Sunday Mirror. 28 April 1996. "The war of the worms". Archived at Find Articles. Accessed 7 June 2007.
