{{Short description|Methods of attracting earthworms}} [[File:Florida worm charming example.webm|frame|right|Two people worm grunting to collect bait in the Apalachicola National Forest. The worms respond to vibrations created by rubbing the top of a wooden stake with a flat piece of metal]] '''Worm charming''', '''worm grunting''', '''worm fiddling''', or '''rooping''' is a method of attracting earthworms from the ground. The activity is usually performed to collect bait for fishing, but it can also take the form of a competitive sport in areas such as the UK and East Texas. As a skill and profession, worm charming is now very rare, with the art being passed down through generations to ensure its survival.<ref name="ESPN">{{Cite web |date=2007-03-20 |first=Keith |last=Sutton|title=Fiddling for worms |url=https://www.espn.com/outdoors/fishing/columns/story?columnist=sutton_keith&page=g_col_Sutton_fiddling_for_worms |access-date=2023-10-17 |website=ESPN |language=en}}</ref><ref name="MotherEarth">{{Cite web |last=Phillips |first=John E. |date=May 1, 1980 |title=Worm Fiddling – Mother Earth News |url=https://www.motherearthnews.com/sustainable-living/nature-and-environment/worm-fiddling-zmaz80mjzraw/ |access-date=2023-10-17 |website=www.motherearthnews.com |language=en-US}}</ref>
==Methods== Most worm charming methods involve vibrating the soil, which encourages the worms to come to the surface. In 2008, researchers from Vanderbilt University claimed that the worms surface because the vibrations are similar to those produced by digging moles, which prey on earthworms.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Catania |first=Kenneth C. |date=2008-10-14 |title=Worm Grunting, Fiddling, and Charming—Humans Unknowingly Mimic a Predator to Harvest Bait |journal=PLOS ONE |language=en |volume=3 |issue=10 |article-number=e3472 |doi=10.1371/journal.pone.0003472 |issn=1932-6203 |pmc=2566961 |pmid=18852902 |bibcode=2008PLoSO...3.3472C |doi-access=free }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Fountain |first=Henry |date=October 17, 2008 |title=Uncovering the Mystery of the Worm Charmer |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/18/science/21wormgrunting.html |website=The New York Times|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230607073607/https://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/18/science/21wormgrunting.html |archive-date=2023-06-07 }}</ref>
The activity is known by several different names, and the apparatus and techniques vary significantly.<ref name="ESPN" /><ref name="MotherEarth" /> "Worm grunting" generally refers to the use of a "stob", a wooden stake that is driven into the ground, and a "rooping iron", which is used to rub the stob.<ref name="sptimes">{{Cite web |last=Tobin |first=Thomas C. |date=April 14, 2002 |title=Gruntin' and gathering |url=http://www.sptimes.com/2002/04/14/State/Gruntin__and_gatherin.shtml |website=St. Petersburg Times|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020923225558/http://www.sptimes.com/2002/04/14/State/Gruntin__and_gatherin.shtml |archive-date=2002-09-23 }}</ref> "Worm fiddling" also uses a wooden stake, but utilises a dulled saw dragged along its top.<ref name="ESPN" />
Techniques vary from sprinkling the turf with water, tea, or beer to playing music or simply "twanging" the ground with a garden fork.<ref name=Berrington>{{Cite news|url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4161/is_19960428/ai_n14451942|newspaper=Sunday Mirror|title=The war of the worms |first=Lucy |last=Berrington|date=April 28, 1996}}</ref> In some organized competitions, detergents and mechanical diggers have been banned.<ref name=Berrington/>
==Non-human animal behavior== Worm charming is also observed in non-human animals, especially among birds such as the Northern lapwing, red-billed gull, kagu, American woodcock, and olive thrush.<ref name="ESPN" /> The methods used vary; however, tapping the ground with the feet to generate vibrations is widespread. One common example is the "seagull dance".<ref>{{cite book |last1=Tinbergen |first1=Niko |title=The Herring Gull's World: A Study of the Social Behaviour of Birds |date=1953 |publisher=Frederick A. Praeger, Inc.}}</ref> The wood turtle also seems to be adapted for worm charming, as it is known to stamp its feet.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Kaufmann |first1=John H. |title=Stomping for Earthworms by Wood Turtles, ''Clemmys insculpta'': A Newly Discovered Foraging Technique |journal=Copeia |date=23 December 1986 |volume=1986 |issue=4 |pages=1001–1004 |doi=10.2307/1445299 |jstor=1445299 }}</ref>
==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 often depends on these soil conditions, with charmers choosing damp locations or using water to attract the worms.<ref name="ESPN" /><ref name="MotherEarth" /><ref name="sptimes" />
==As a profession== Worms are sold as 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 to ply their trade.<ref name="sptimes" />
==Competitive worm charming== In most competitions, the fiddlers and the collector (or collectors) who gather the most worms in a set time are declared the winners. They usually have a zone in which to perform their charming, measuring three yards square.
===World Worm Charming Championship===
thumb|Competitive worm charming at Willaston in 2006 One of the first worm charming events took place at an English school fête at Willaston County Primary School in Willaston, Cheshire. The World Worm Charming Championships started in 1980 and is now an annual event, held in June.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wormcharming.com:80/index.html |archive-date=2016-09-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160912170513/http://www.wormcharming.com/index.html |title=The World Worm Charming Championship |publisher=International Federation of Charming Worms and Allied Pastimes |access-date=21 October 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> It was organised by then-deputy headmaster John Bailey, who wrote the original rules for the competition. The event claims to have originated when, in 1980, a local Willaston farmer's son, Tom Shufflebotham, charmed 511 worms in half an hour.<ref>{{cite web |title=Worm Charming |url=https://www.willastonprimaryacademy.co.uk/worm-charming/ |website=Willaston Primary Academy |access-date=17 September 2022 |archive-date=20 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220920170925/https://www.willastonprimaryacademy.co.uk/worm-charming/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>
The current world record was established on 29 June 2009 by 10-year-old Sophie Smith of Willaston, England, who raised 567 worms during Britain's World Worm Charming Championship.<ref name="NewRecord"> {{cite news | title = Worm charmer, 10, sets new record | url = http://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2009/06/29/Worm-charmer-10-sets-new-record/UPI-68561246307679/ | work = UPI | access-date = 2009-07-01 }} </ref>
There are 18 rules for this event, as determined by the International Federation of Charming Worms and Allied Pastimes (IFCWAP). These stipulate that each competitor operates within a 3 × 3 metre plot, may use only vibrations or music to attract worms, and is not allowed to dig or use "drugs" to attract worms (including water or other liquids). Competitors may stick a garden fork into the ground and vibrate it to encourage worms, and all worms must be returned to the ground once the birds have gone to roost on the evening of the event.<ref>{{cite web |title=Worm Charming Festival - Willaston |url=https://thecaptainsguides.com/worm-charming-willaston/ |website=The Captains Guide |access-date=17 September 2022 }}{{Dead link|date=February 2026 |bot=InternetArchiveBot }}</ref> This is intended to prevent a "feast" for the birds after the event.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Hansen |first1=Liane |title=The Tricks And Tools Of Worm Charmers |url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=106021539 |website=NPR |access-date=17 September 2022}}</ref>
The competition returned in 2022, after missing 2020 (although a virtual event was held that year) and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.<ref>{{cite web |last1=White |first1=Jonathan |title=World Worm Charming Championship Wiggles Back After Pandemic |url=https://thisisthecat.com/world-worm-charming-championship-wiggles-back-after-pandemic/ |website=Cat107.9FM |access-date=17 September 2022 |archive-date=20 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220920163319/https://thisisthecat.com/world-worm-charming-championship-wiggles-back-after-pandemic/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>
<div style="display:inline-table; vertical-align:top;"> {| class="wikitable sortable" |+ Winners of World Worm Charming Championship |- ! Year !Series!!scope=col style=background-color:gold |Champion ! Worms charmed |No. of worms !scope=col style=background-color:silver |Charmer of heaviest worm !Heaviest worm (g) !Notes |- |2005 |26th |Mike Gaukroger, Clare Gaukroger (1)<ref name="2005result">{{cite web |date=1 June 2006 |title=It's odds-on the World Worm Charming is a real winner |url=https://www.warringtonguardian.co.uk/news/5344814.its-odds-on-the-world-worm-charming-is-a-real-winner/ |access-date=20 June 2025 |website=Warrington Guardian}}</ref> |214 |James and Andrew Thorley |4.5 | |- |2006 |27th | Geoff Sandburg, Davina Sandburg<ref name="2006result">{{cite web |date=24 July 2006 |title=Tom Shufflebotham Charmed 511 Earthworms |url=https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0607/S00348.htm |access-date=11 June 2025 |website=Scoop.co.nz}}</ref> |127 |Jordan and Darren Long |4.3 | |- |2007 |28th |Mike Gaukroger, Clare Gaukroger (2)<ref name="2007result">{{cite web |date=27 July 2007 |title=Worm charming – read the full article and listen to the action |url=https://www.fwi.co.uk/farm-life/worm-charming-read-the-full-article-and-listen-to-the-action |access-date=11 June 2025 |website=Farmers Weekly}}</ref> |399 | | | |- |2008 |29th |Mike Gaukroger, Clare Gaukroger (3)<ref name="2008result">{{cite web |date=30 June 2008 |title=Strange tactics at World Worm Charming Championships |url=https://www.crewechronicle.co.uk/news/local-news/strange-tactics-world-worm-charming-5627815 |access-date=11 June 2025 |website=crewe chronicle.com}}</ref> |125 |Ray O'Grady and Steve Plant |4.6 | |- |2009 |30th |Sophie Smith<ref name="2009result">{{cite web |date=29 June 2009 |title=Worm charmer, 10, sets new record |url=https://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2009/06/29/Worm-charmer-10-sets-new-record/68561246307679/ |access-date=11 June 2025 |website=UPI.com}}</ref> |567 | | |World record for number of worms charmed.<ref name="2009record">{{cite web |date= |title=Longest-running worm-charming compeitition |url=https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/759131-longest-running-worm-charming-compeitition#:~:text=On%205%20July%201980%2C%20a,UK)%20at%20the%202009%20Championships. |access-date=18 June 2025 |website=Guinness World Records}}</ref> |- |2010 |31st |Jamie Long, Darren Long<ref name="2010result">{{cite web |date=30 June 2010 |title=Worms are scarce at World Worm Charming Championships in Willaston |url=https://www.crewechronicle.co.uk/news/local-news/worms-scarce-world-worm-charming-5615233 |access-date=11 June 2025 |website=crewe chronicle.com}}</ref> |43 |James Butler |5.1 | |- |2011 |32nd |Dave Ashman, Sam Ashman<ref name="2011result">{{cite web |date=29 June 2011 |title=New World Record set at 32nd Willaston Worm Charming |url=https://www.crewechronicle.co.uk/news/local-news/new-world-record-set-32nd-5608231 |access-date=11 June 2025 |website=crewe chronicle.co.uk}}</ref> |265 |Amy and Nick Sproston |12.08 |The event's heaviest worm ever, weighing 12.08 grams (0.43 ounces).<ref name="2011result" /> |- |2012 |33rd |The Caravan Club (1)<ref name="2012result">{{cite web |date=24 June 2012 |title=PIC SPECIAL – 33rd World Worm Charming Championships, Willaston |url=https://thenantwichnews.co.uk/2012/06/24/pic-special-33rd-world-worm-charming-championships-willaston/ |access-date=11 June 2025 |website=thenantwichnews.co.uk}}</ref> |419 |Carol Owen |5.62 | |- |2013 |34th |Ellie-Jay Morris, Steve Palmer<ref name="2013result">{{cite web |date=23 June 2013 |title=Picture special: World Worm Charming Championships in Willaston |url=https://thenantwichnews.co.uk/2013/06/23/picture-special-world-worm-charming-championships-in-willaston/ |access-date=11 June 2025 |website=thenantwichnews.co.uk}}</ref> |303 |Harry Price |6.5 | |- |2014 |35th |The Bowden family<ref name="2014result">{{cite web |date=28 June 2014 |title=Lancashire family crowned World Worm Charming champions in Willaston |url=https://thenantwichnews.co.uk/2014/06/28/lancashire-family-crowned-world-worm-charming-champions-in-willaston/ |access-date=11 June 2025 |website=thenantwichnews.co.uk}}</ref> |394 |Liam and Patrick Martin |5.84 | |- |2015 |36th |The Caravan Club (2)<ref name="2015result">{{cite web |date=28 June 2015 |title=Hundreds battle it out in World Worm Charming Championships |url=https://thenantwichnews.co.uk/2015/06/28/hundreds-battle-it-out-in-world-worm-charming-championships/ |access-date=11 June 2025 |website=thenantwichnews.co.uk}}</ref> |227 |Alana Healy |4.23 | |- |2016 |37th |Hope Smith<ref name="2016result">{{cite web |date=26 June 2016 |title=Willaston girl wins 37th World Worm Charming Championships |url=https://thenantwichnews.co.uk/2016/06/26/37th-world-worm-charming-championships-willaston/ |access-date=11 June 2025 |website=thenantwichnews.co.uk}}</ref> |272 |Luke and Ashton Caldwell |4.79 | |- |2017 |38th |The Love-Rouse family<ref name="2017result">{{cite web |date=25 June 2017 |title=Willaston family scoop honours in the 38th World Worm Charming Championships |url=https://thenantwichnews.co.uk/2017/06/25/willaston-family-scoop-honours-in-the-38th-world-worm-charming-championships/ |access-date=11 June 2025 |website=thenantwichnews.co.uk}}</ref> |137 |Baldwin/Viggars |5.54 | |- |2018 |39th |James Martin, Sam Bromley<ref name="2018result">{{cite web |date=23 June 2018 |title=Competitors find it tough going at World Worm Charming Championships |url=https://thenantwichnews.co.uk/2018/06/23/competitors-find-it-tough-going-at-world-worm-charming-championships/ |access-date=11 June 2025 |website=thenantwichnews.co.uk}}</ref> |11 |Five groups tied |3.0 | |- |2019 |40th |Sam Dobson, Ollie Dobson<ref name="2019result">{{cite web |date=30 June 2019 |title=Hot work for hundreds at World Worm Charming Championships |url=https://thenantwichnews.co.uk/2019/06/30/hot-work-for-hundreds-at-world-worm-charming-championships/ |access-date=11 June 2025 |website=thenantwichnews.co.uk}}</ref> |64 |Daniel Summers and Tyler, Jake, Charlie, William, and Elliot |8.0 | |- |2020 |41st |The Brookshaw family<ref name="2020result">{{cite web |date=28 June 2020 |title=Willaston World Worm Charming Championships prove "virtual" success on Zoom |url=https://thenantwichnews.co.uk/2020/06/28/willaston-world-worm-charming-championships-prove-virtual-success-on-zoom/ |access-date=18 June 2025 |website=thenantwichnews.co.uk}}</ref> |155 | | |Held virtually due to COVID-19. Plot size was 2 × 2 metres. |- |2021 ! colspan="6" style="text-align: center;" ; |Cancelled (COVID-19)<ref name="2021result">{{cite web |date=30 May 2021 |title=Organisers call off World Worm Charming Championships due to Covid |url=https://thenantwichnews.co.uk/2021/05/30/organisers-call-off-world-worm-charming-championships-due-to-covid/ |access-date=11 June 2025 |website=thenantwichnews.co.uk}}</ref> |- |2022 |42nd |The Price family<ref name="2022result">{{cite web |date=24 June 2023 |title=World Worm Charming Championship wiggles back after pandemic |url=https://thenantwichnews.co.uk/2022/06/26/world-worm-charming-championship-wiggles-back-after-pandemic/ |access-date=11 June 2025 |website=thenantwichnews.co.uk}}</ref> |83 |The Macpherson family |8.0 | |- |2023 |43rd |The Jones and Weaver families<ref name="2023result">{{cite web |date=24 June 2023 |title=Dozens take part in Nantwich worm charming championships |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-stoke-staffordshire-66009863 |access-date=10 June 2025 |website=BBC.co.uk}}</ref> |48 | | | |- |2024 |44th | Alex Godfrey<ref name="2024result">{{cite web |date=24 June 2024 |title=Worms pick up good vibrations at World Worm Charming championship |url=https://www.abs-cbn.com/classified-odd/2024/6/24/worms-pick-up-good-vibrations-at-world-worm-charming-championship-1441 |access-date=10 June 2025 |website=ABS-CBN.com}}</ref> | 195 | | | |- |2025 |45th |The Thomasson family<ref name="2025result">{{cite web |date=22 June 2025 |title=Worms pick up good vibrations at World Worm Charming championship |url=https://thenantwichnews.co.uk/2025/06/22/worm-charming-fun-draws-crowds-to-championships-in-willaston/ |access-date=22 June 2025 |website=The Nantwich News}}</ref> |71 | | | |- |- |} </div>
===Devon Worm Charming Festival=== Also known as the International Festival of Worm Charming, this event takes place in the small village of Blackawton, South Devon, during the early May Bank Holiday. It has been running since 1984 and is accompanied by a Real Ale Beer Festival and other activities. The genesis of the event occurred in 1983, when Dave Kelland, after returning home from drinking at The Normandy Arms, relieved himself in a field and was surprised to see worms come to the surface, giving him the inspiration for the competition.<ref>{{cite web |title=Origin & history |url=http://www.wormcharming.co.uk/history.html |website=Blackawton International Festival of Wormcharming |access-date=17 September 2022}}</ref> The event has been held at The Normandy Arms ever since. Unlike the World Worm Charming Championships in Cheshire, "forking" the ground is not allowed, but the use of water is.<ref>{{cite web |title=Wormcharming competition |url=http://www.wormcharming.co.uk/competition.html |website=Blackawton International Festival of Wormcharming |access-date=17 September 2022}}</ref>
===Cornwall Worm Charming Championship=== A new worm charming championship was established in 2021 by local artist Georgia Gendall, with the inaugural competition held in Penryn.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Martin |first1=Greg |title=Cornwall's gloriously bonkers worm charming championships pictures |url=https://www.cornwalllive.com/news/cornwall-news/gallery/cornwalls-gloriously-bonkers-worm-charming-5697813 |website=Cornwall Live |date=25 July 2021 |access-date=17 September 2022}}</ref> It then moved to Falmouth as it grew in popularity. It is now known as the Falmouth Worm Charming Championship. The event in 2022 demonstrated the effects of climatic conditions on worm charming, with a heat wave leading to only a single worm being charmed.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Martin |first1=Greg |title=Falmouth Worm Charming Championships only manages to charm one single worm |url=https://www.cornwalllive.com/news/cornwall-news/gallery/falmouth-worm-charming-championships-only-7343906 |website=Cornwall Live |date=17 July 2022 |access-date=17 September 2022}}</ref> In 2024, the winning team was the Tennessee Worm Tuggers, who charmed 32 worms.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Martin |first1=Greg |title=Thousands flock to Falmouth Worm Charming Championship 2024 |url=https://www.falmouthpacket.co.uk/news/24332436.thousands-flock-falmouth-worm-charming-championship-2024/ |website=Cornwall Live |date=20 May 2024 |access-date=12 June 2025}}</ref>
===Canadian Worm Charming Championship and Festival=== The Great Canadian Worm Charming Championship and Festival was held at Shelburne Fiddle Park in Shelburne, Ontario, on 9 June 2012.
===American Worm Gruntin' Festival=== The town of Sopchoppy, Florida, has held an annual "Worm Gruntin' Festival" since 2000. The event includes a ball and the crowning of a "Worm Gruntin' King and Queen".<ref name="VisitFlorida">{{cite web |url=http://www.visitflorida.com/en-us/articles/2013/insider--off-the-beaten-path/sopchoppyfestival.html|title=13th Annual Sopchoppy Worm Gruntin' Festival April 13|publisher=Visit Florida}}</ref> Sopchoppy is one of the settings in the 2017 novel ''Clownfish Blues'' by Tim Dorsey, in which worm grunting is a plot element.<ref>{{Cite web |last=O'Connell |first=Tim |title=Book review: Serge is up to his old homicidal tricks in 'Clownfish Blues' |url=https://www.jacksonville.com/story/entertainment/books/2017/01/30/book-review-serge-his-old-homicidal-tricks-clownfish-blues/15740623007/ |access-date=2025-02-14 |website=The Florida Times-Union |language=en-US}}</ref>
==See also== *Snake charming
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== *[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FK-Oo7NwPiQ Associated Press video demonstrating worm grunting] *[https://web.archive.org/web/20090504122657/http://www.wormcharming.com/ The World Worm Charming Championship] *[http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/545255/ Worm grunting mystery solved]
{{fishing rod topics}}
Category:Recreational fishing Category:Animals in sport Category:Articles containing video clips Category:Worms (obsolete taxon) Category:Annelids