What is the Meaning of a Fish Hook on a Hat?

Fishing hat hook clips have been accused of meaning lots of things. Some say they mean you are a racist, you are hooked on fish and not drugs, you are homosexual, you are a KKK member, you are an evangelical Christian, or you are a Phish fan. So is any of it true? Not really, the truth is they are simply a novelty sold to fisherman to put on their hat or use as a tie clasp for aesthetics and fashion. Anyone is free to use fashion as symbolism and it probably has happened on a small scale at some point. But these items are not sold, manufactured, or marketed for any deeper meaning or purpose.

Anyone is free to wear a fish hook on their hat but some will still judge you for it. By the hardcore angling community, a wearer would likely be assumed to be a down and dirty fishermen, the opposite of a highfalutin tweed fly fisherman. Someone who fishes for catfish and bluegill in the mud and fills their cooler with crappie to eat. But really most fishermen just wear what works for them and are too busy fishing to concern themselves with the fashion choices of others.

Fishing Culture