The Newfoundland Fisherman
was and still is very concious of the weather, since his livelihood and
safety depended on good and bad weather. A fisherman had to
judge by the signs of weather as to whether or not the fish is near the
shore so that his ventures can be made without impunity. He had to
predict if it was going to be rain or shine since this can affect the production
of fish, that is drying on the flakes. The fisherman knows when there
will be a good catch by judging the winds and the waves. In the days
before weather reports, the fisherman looked to nature for signs of good
or bad weather. Here are some of these signs:
* Red sky in the morning, a sailor's warning!
*Red sky at night, a sailor's delight!
* Brilliant Northern Lights foretell a fine day and then a storm.
* Hoar frost in autumn is a sign of south wind and rain.
* When gulls fly high, stormy weather may be expected.
* When goats come home from the hills expect rain soon.
* When distant hill appear near, rainy weather is coming.
* Rote
from the shore indicates wind from that direction the following day.
* When wild animals take on a
thick coat of fur in autumn, it is a sign of a severe winter.
* When the wind shifts against the sun, trust it not for back t'will run.
* When the wind is in the
east, tis neither good for man or beast.
* Mackeral sky and mares' tails, make the sailor furl his sails.
* To dream of horses is a
sign with seamen that storms will come.
Common Signs of Rain:
* Soot falling to the ground
* Dogs sleeping throughout the
day
* Very active spiders
*Rheumatic pains with elderly
people
By Nancy Parsons