Mushrooms for Fishing
John Muir once said, “The clearest way into the Universe is through a forest wilderness.” This is true. My earliest memories of going to a forest was with my dad going fishing in Upstate New York. Little did I know how those little hikes in the woods, to a secret fishing hole would open a universe to me. Fishing was a catalyst which not only led me to a lifetime of joy and some of my fondest memories with dad, but it led me to learn as much as I could about habitat, fish behavior, and the proverbial circle of life. My interest in learning not only how to fish but how did our ancestors fish. What things did they use in the days before Bass Pro?
With each trip to the woods I learned more about fishing but I always came home with more questions. Now as I approach my 60th birthday I have learned a lot for sure. I have pursued the study of primitive skills, mycology, ethno botany, just to mention a few doors that opened since the day I cast my first hook. And yet I feel there is so much more to discover. I see my journey fishing to be akin to a martial arts practitioner, who learns once you attain a black belt, you are now at a new beginning. You know that you have only scratched the surface.
Fishing was a catalyst which not only led me to a lifetime of joy and some of my fondest memories with dad, but it led me to learn as much as I could about habitat, fish behavior, and the proverbial circle of life.
Birch Polypore (Piptoporus betulinus)
So last fall I went out into the woods, with a friend to gather Birch polypore (piptoporus betulinus) to treat winter ailments. The discovery of Ötzi the Iceman in the Austrian Alps in 1991, revealed this ancient man carried this particular mushroom as part of his first aid kit, which was believed to be used to treat intestinal parasites. This mushroom goes by another name the razor strop mushroom. It has a long tradition of helping to sharpen fine edged tools. So after cutting and drying a piece, I made a razor strop using a section of dry birch polypore. I use it to keep my filet knife razor sharp as well as hooks. I added some 600 grit sand paper to the opposite side for taking out burrs on my knife or remove any pesky rust which inevitably can form on hooks. Both the mushroom section and the sandpaper are simply glued in place with rubber cement. I like adding a thin strip of leather on which to glue the sandpaper. I hope this little project inspires some of you to try this. I have added pictures of the mushroom which typically grows to a maximum of 10 inches.
Hoof Fungus (Fomes fomentarius)
The smaller mushrooms are Horse hoof fungus (fomes fomentarius) which also grow on birch trees. I made amadou with it. Amadou is much like a fine wool which is made from the trama portion of the horse hoof fungus. The hard outer layer is peeled off with a sharp knife after soaking the mushroom in water. The trama is the soft wooly part of the mushroom. This part of the mushroom has been used for centuries as a medium to catch a weak spark to start fire after treating it with wood ash. The tubes (mycelium) can be used as a coal extender when making fire. And horse hoof also has medicinal properties. During the stone age clothing was produced from the amadou. Amadou is used today to dry wet flies when fly fishing. And even if you’re not a fly fisherman throwing some amadou in your tackle box can save your prized lures from rusting. It’s also styptic so if you nick yourself with that filet knife, it can be part of your first aid kit!
