Spending a Saturday afternoon, sitting on the shore of a small secluded pond, like the one shown below, with your line in the water and a comfortable lawn chair for your relaxation, is like no other way to blend yourself with the wonders of nature while spending quality time breathing fresh air.

Most experienced fishermen are also conservationists in their own way. They care about the condition of the waters that they fish and also the health of the fish that they seek. The vast majority of freshwater fishermen take care to protect the fish by practicing catch-and-release, keeping only those fish that they intend to eat. Freshwater fishing has grown as a family sport, because it is easy to learn, and relatively inexpensive. All that is needed is a spinning rod and reel combination that can be purchased in most sporting goods stores for less than $50. Add to this a few hooks and bobbers for less than $5 and you are ready to go.

Sporting good stores have so many artificial lures on their shelves that it would tend to scare away a beginner fisherperson. I do not subscribe to artificial lures for beginners, because I feel that the most effective bait that has been used since fishing was first discovered is the earth worm. Worms or night crawlers are available at most stores that sell fishing bait. A small hook tied to the end of your line with a bobber about three feet from the hook, will catch you a nice fish, like the one shown below.

This young mother watched her son bring in this largemouth bass off of a lakeside dock. Both of them enjoyed the experience and then returned the fish to the lake and watched it gracefully swim away. The true enjoyment of this experience was the memory and the photo that hangs on the child’s wall.
The beauty of freshwater fishing is that it can be enjoyed by an individual, in the solitude of a secluded lake or pond, or it can be a family activity, where everyone can participate, not only in the actual fishing, but by watching the mysteries of nature unfold before your eyes. A blue Herron, walking along the shoreline, stalking its next meal, demonstrates the cycle of life where nature provides all of its creatures, the means for survival. A female deer slowly and silently walking to the water for a drink, stops and looks around before she signals to her two small fawns to follow her, again a lesson in survival.
Another great way to enjoy a day in the outdoors is to take your basic fishing equipment to a local lake and rent a small boat for a day on the water. Most lakes have at least one marina where boats can be rented at a reasonable cost and these boats usually come equipped with all of the safety equipment that you will need. This is a great way to get a day out of the house, away from the computers, ipads and cell phones. I do however recommend that at least one cell phone be taken as a safety precaution.

We all are born with an element of competitiveness inside us. Fishing tends to bring that spirit out in several ways. First, there is the element of challenge between the fish and the fisherman. This may not seem like a fair competition but I assure you, nature has taught fish every trick that there is to avoid being caught. As we fishermen always say, fish did not get large by being stupid. The second challenge is to always try to improve on your personal best catch. Like a runner, you always want to improve on your last best fish. The third element of challenge is within and between other fishermen. Fishing in groups always introduces the challenge of a small wager on the biggest fish of the day. Not the least of all of these challenges is the opportunity to put a fine meal on the table. Fish are high in protein and are always mentioned in published diets as a recommended food.

Many people have a desire to do some freshwater fishing but do not know how to get started. Nearly every major sports store holds fishing seminars for beginners or they can point you to a local fishing club that sponsors such programs. Some Community colleges have added fishing to their evening program due to its growing popularity. Most serious fishermen will always take the time to spend a few hours with you going over the basics of fishing. If you want to spend some money, there are many fishing guides on major waterways that will take you out fishing for a few hours for a fee. They supply all of the fishing gear and bait you need so it is a good investment before you start buying equipment.

There are also many books available that cover the entire range of fishing procedures. The author of this article has published four books about freshwater fishing. They can be reviewed on his web site, www.jakestakeonfishing.com. This site also links to his blog which provides timely tips about local fishing activities.

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Fishing rods are made of four basic parts. It is the sum of those parts that create the perfect fishing rod. Easy as that sounds, the concept is highly subjective. For example, the type of rod for northern pike fishing is quite different from the rod you select to fish for bass. Yet, to fish both, you need the right rod. Let’s explore.

Fishing Rod Parts

The parts that make up all modern fishing rods include:

• Blanks: The blanks are the sections that make up the basic rod. They come in carbon fiber or graphite. Fishing rods use one blank or four or more blanks.
• Guides: Guides are the eyes that “guide” the fishing line from the reel to the tip of the rod. They are a critical component to fishing rod construction.
• Handle/grip: The handle and grips are where your hands rest on the rod. Grips need to be comfortable while fishing, casting and battling fish. Grip matters as much as comfort.
• Reel seats: Reel seats are what hold or fasten the reel to the blanks. A poorly constructed rod seat will not only ruin your day of fishing but will likely ruin your rod as well.

In short, the components that go into a complete fishing rod are important. What do you need to know about them to pick the perfect rod?

Let’s look a little deeper.

The Fish and Fishing Rods

When you choose a fishing rod, you do so with the fish in mind. Fish react differently due to many factors. That is exactly why picking the perfect rod is tricky. We look at the average fish weight for a species, how the fish bites and how it battles. Those aspects create the “needs” that make up a perfect fishing rod.

The language that describes fishing rods is often confusing. Here is a helpful list of terms and what they mean:

• Power or rod weight: Refers specifically to the stiffness of the blanks. The word “power” is best thought of as the amount of power needed to bend the rod. If you hold a rod horizontal and you tied a line with a weight on it to the end, how much weight would you add before the rod bends?

Rule of thumb: The stiffer the rod, the less you feel. It is more difficult to feel a bite or your lure or sinker roll along the bottom with a heavier rod.

• Action: A rod’s action is a complement of its power or weight. The action of a rod is a measurement of the degree in which the rod bends, given the weight or its power. A flexible rod is a slow action rod. A rod that takes a lot of weight or power to bend has fast action. Action is also measured by the spots along the rod that bend. A fast action rod will only bend toward the tip of the rod, whereas, a slow action rod is likely to bend from the tip to nearly the reel seat.

Rule of thumb: Slower the action the smaller the fish that a rod will handle. A trophy largemouth bass may weigh in at about 8 pounds. A trophy northern pike is likely to crest the 40-pound mark. The difference in both the action and the power of fishing rods between these two fish is drastic.

How to Choose the Right Fishing Rod

Think about the fish you plan to target — weight, striking tendencies, etc.

• Muskie and northern pike: Big fish means big strikes. Use a 7-foot to 9-foot rod with medium/heavy action.
• Walleye: Use a 7-foot to 9-foot rod, with light/medium to medium/heavy action for live bait; or an 8-foot to 10-foot rod with medium/heavy weight for trolling.
• Smallmouth bass: A 7-foot to 9-foot rod is ideal in length in medium to medium/heavy weight.
• Lake trout: Use a 7-foot to 9-foot rod with medium/heavy to heavy action.

When you choose a fishing rod, consider your own height. As a general rule of thumb: If you are shorter than 6 feet, shorter rods work better; and if you are taller than 6 feet, long rods work better.

How you fish is also key: Jigging rods are usually shorter in the 5-foot-5-inch to 6-foot-5-inch range. Trolling rods are typically longer with a heavier action. Casting rods are often right in the middle for both length and weight. This short guide should make choosing the right rod much easier and improve your fishing experience.

Author bio: Dave and Sheree Swistun are owners of Duck Bay Lodge, a fishing resort located in Lake of the Woods, Ontario, Canada. Built more than 60 years ago, they are the fourth owners, having purchased Duck Bay Lodge in 1988. 

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Why Fly Fishing is Fun

Fly fishing is very different than fishing with a lure or worm type baits. The fly fisherman uses a artificial fly consisting of bites of feathers, foam, hide, fur, yarn, and other materials to be tried on to a hook that make it appealing to the type of fish you are catching. Every fly fisherman has his own type of flies he like to use some purchase them and then some of us like to tie our own. Fly tying is more of an art with basic training which most people can learn over a short period of time.

Classic Dry Fly Fishing

Dry fly fishing is the best classic form of fishing. The artificial fly is cast so that it floats on the surface of the water. As the fly passes over the fish it will rise to the surface and strike or take the fly.

With the fly rod you will attempt to stop the fish from spitting out the fly and get it tired enough so you can land it in your net. With fly fishing you will see all the action as you cast the fly and play the fish for a strike. The fly is very visible on the surface to the fish. You will see the fish take the fly on the surface however trout and other fish tend to feed under water so if you see the fish rising to the surface it is time to use a dry fly.

Wet Fly Fishing

Wet flies will sink under the surface of the water an may be passed in front of the fish there bye causing the fish to strike at the fly. Nymph fishing is very popular after the flies lay eggs on lakes or in streams and they hatch out as nymphs. As the nymphs make their way to the surface the fish will take them. When they get to the surface they will hatch into a flies.

Nymph Fly Fishing

When nymph fishing the imitation nymphs you use will be weighted to stay below the surface of the water. This will be far more of a challenge for you as the action all take place under the surface of the water and you will not be able to see if a fish is about to strike.

Most fish can be caught on a fly but the most common are trout, salmon, chars, and most game fish. In most areas the trout are the most popular and you will find them feeding mostly on small insects in shallow water. If you live on the coast you find salmon fishing with a fly rod a very rewarding challenge. Hooking a 30 or 40 pound salmon on a fly rod will give you a work out running up and down the beach trying to play the fish out to land it.

The fly fishing sport has gained ever increasing popularity over the years. Most will agree it just not about catching the fish but in the delivery of the fly and the skill and knowledge in the pursuit.

Some fly fisherman regard fly fishing as the holy grail of fishing. It is more relaxing and some say a better past time than golf. The sport of fly fishing see people from all walks of life. Some say it is more environmentally friends than the other type of fishing because it does less harm to the fish then other styles of fishing.

The art of fly fishing will get in to your blood and you will peruse the quite of the streams or the solitude of the ocean beaches to capture you prey. Most anglers will catch and release if they are fly fishing.

Other Types of Fishing

If you like the idea of the calm that fishing brings, find out more about the range of different types of fishing.

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NFM 2016 was launched at a specially organised showcase event at the Sportfish Game Fishing Centre at Theale, Reading, on a gloriously sunny day during which people tried game angling for the first time.  With a customised day full of hands-on angling opportunities, the event focus was on youngsters and newcomers, thereby meeting the core ethos of National Fishing Month.

There were at least 20 other events organised across the country during the first weekend of NFM. One of which was held at Northlands Park in Basildon, Essex, where coarse angling coaches offered sessions on the lake in the park, alongside pond dipping and rig-tying clinics.

The NFM successes continued through the remainder of August at hundreds more events nationwide.  These included a number of special activities coinciding with open days at Cassiobury Park Farm in Watford.  Paul Forman, NFM organiser and owner of Watford Angling Coaches who coached at the events, reported: “It was a very busy NFM period for us, but the 500 youngsters who came along loved the experience and wanted to know where they could continue fishing near to where they lived.”

One of the final NFM events took place at the Evesham Festival where, despite the typically unpredictable British bank holiday weather, the team still managed to coach over 150 people on the banks of the Warwickshire Avon.

Naidre Werner, Chair of the Angling Trades Association (ATA) which runs NFM, enthused: “I’m over the moon that our NFM participant numbers continue to reflect how important NFM is in creating awareness of angling to the general public. We really do fly the flag for fishing… and people love it.

“But the Angling Trades Association isn’t solely responsible for making this participation initiative such a success.  We continue to enjoy funding support from the Environment Agency, regional and national support from the Angling Trust and the Professional Anglers Association and, in 2016, outstanding support with over 30 of their own events organised by our new partner, the Canal and River Trust. They have all been instrumental in helping us achieve such fantastic results.”

John Ellis, Fisheries Manager for the Canal and River Trust commented: “We are delighted with how well our new partnership with National Fishing Month worked out this year, engaging with nearly 1000 participants. We are already planning a larger programme of events on our canals and rivers in 2017 to make sure that even more people get the fishing habit.”

Naidre added: “This year, we have enjoyed continued headline sponsorship from Daiwa, Leeda and Pure Fishing and also physical help in facilitating support to the organisers from Fosters of Birmingham and Fishing Republic. Additions to the NFM family include support from manufacturers such as Fladen, Fox, Dinsmores and Tricast and retailer Angling Direct. They have demonstrated the admirable virtue of ‘putting something back into angling’, and I applaud them. The Angling Times and Angler’s Mail should also be mentioned and thanked for their ongoing support for both NFM and the Take A Friend Fishing campaigns.

“The real key to NFM’s ongoing success is without doubt attributable to the enthusiastic, steadfast support of the voluntary organisers and coaches who actually plan and deliver the events every year.  It’s down to their hard work that the sport is exposed to so many people – and they deserve our greatest thanks and gratitude for helping recruit the next generation of anglers to our wonderful sport.”

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Types of Fishing

Coarse Fishing, Carp Fishing or River Fishing

Coarse fishing is fishing in inland water such as lakes and rivers for all fish other than trout or salmon. This is the most popular form of fishing. Anglers spend hours fishing for more than thirty different species that inhabit the waterways.

The largest fish is the pike and can grow up to 40lbs. The most popular coarse fishing fish is the carp. You can find plenty of ponds and lakes that are stocked with carp. Some privately owned lakes will maintain a good stock of carp and charge anglers to go fishing. Still, you will have a good chance of catching a decent sized fish.

Stocked fishing lakes are a good way to learn how to catch and land a fish, however if you want to actually develop your fishing skills, find yourself a good river. If you ask at your local fishing tackle shop, they can advise on where you can join a river fishing club.

Read more information on freshwater fishing.

Fly Fishing and Trout Fishing

Fly fishing does not involve using flies as bait. Fly fishing uses hooks with feathers to act as a lure.

Lake Fishing

Fish from the shore or from a boat.
Fishing Lakes stocked with fish.

Salmon Fishing

Ice Fishing

Ice fishing is done by catching fish with lines and fish hooks or spears through an opening in the ice on a frozen body of water. Ice anglers may sit on a stool in the open on a frozen lake when ice fishing, or in a heated cabin on the ice, some with bunks and amenities

First, an ice saw, auger or chisel is required to cut a hole in the ice. When temperatures reach -20 °F or colder it becomes very hard to keep a fishing hole open.

Sea Fishing, Bass Fishing

World of Warcraft Fishing also known as WoW Fishing

Fishing Tackle

Fishing Poles and Fishing Rods

How to choose the right fishing rod

Fishing Reels

Fly Fishing Gear

Fishing Boats

Fishing Bait and Fishing Lures

Fishing Guides and Fishing Reports

Weather/pressure sensor with fishing report

Where to Buy Fishing Tackle

Fishing Tackle Online

Fishing Stores and Fishing Shops

Fishing Trips

florida fishing

Fishing Websites

Fishing Magazines

• Anglers Net Fishing Magazine
• Total Fishing
• World Sea Fishing
• Fly Fishing Magazine

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