WHEN DREAMS BECOME REALITY…

Do you ever dream about fishing? For those who do, our sleeping visions can have strange consequences. This week, we delve into some ultimate crystal ball catches...

DREAMS. Superstition. Intuition. These things have always had a strong hold on anglers.

Lots of us struggle to sleep before a big fishing trip, to say nothing of the strange things that enter our minds as we drift off.

But do great anglers really have a kind of “sixth sense”? Could dreams really anticipate our success or failure? Or is this a phenomenon that can be explained by science?

WHAT DO DREAMS REALLY TELL US?

Far from being a random sequence of events, dreams serve an important function in human sleep. They are “a playground where we can test things out” according to Dr Daniel Erlacher, a specialist at Bern University.

“They’re a simulation of life, where we can rehearse our aims and desires.”

If you have a specific goal, or are engaged in a particular activity, dreams are often more regular and intense. A pressure situation, like a big trip or a major event, can be the trigger.

It’s not sweet dreams, but so-called “threat simulation dreams” that are the most common, however. They come from our survival instincts and almost everyone gets them, according to Daniel. This might explain typical dreams of getting lost, or seeing huge fish you can’t catch. For our distant ancestors, failing such a challenge might mean going hungry.

But can dreams, even of the stressful variety, help us face tomorrow or even predict the future? Studies have shown that in exams or athletic trials, dreamers often went on to real world success.

As for fishing, there’s a lot to be said for trusting your instincts.

Or, as Chris Yates would have it, “cast for your dreams”.

“There is a lot to be said for trusting your instincts. Or, as Chris Yates would have it, “cast for your dreams”