guddle

A child guddles for fish in a clear stream.

Definition

1. Verb:
   • To fish by groping with the hands: "guddle" means to catch fish, especially trout or salmon, by reaching into the water and feeling for them with one's hands, typically under rocks or banks.

Usage Examples

• (He attempted to catch fish by hand in the stream.)
• (The old man showed his grandson the technique of hand-fishing.)

Advanced Usage

• "to guddle about": to search or fumble clumsily with the hands, often in water or mud.
  • She guddled about in the dark pond looking for her lost ring. (She searched clumsily by hand in the dark water.)

Variants and Related Words

• Guddler (noun): a person who guddles fish.
  • The experienced guddler knew exactly where to place his hands. (The skilled hand-fisher knew the best spots.)

Synonyms

• Hand-fish: to catch fish using only one's hands.
• Grope: to feel about with the hands, especially in search of something.

Related Idioms