I am thinking about learning to fish. How or where do I start?

Question

I'm sixty and live in a town where there is a river that has salmon and trout that I know of. Also, because I'm a resident and sixty, there is a pool that I can use for about £30 a year. I've been to the pool, it's at the side of an old bridge which has a fair bit of traffic. This is a lovely ancient town in Wales. Anyway ... to the point. Do I buy a new rod or what/how will I begin. I know nothing! HELP!

Answer 1

First of all, educate yourself about the fish you want to catch. How big do they get? What do they eat? Learn about them first. All fish are different and have their own habits. Learn about the area you're going to fish in also.
Once you know about them and their habits, then you can decide what is best to catch them with. I live on a lake in Minnesota and go fishing a lot. The fish move with the water temperature. The Northerns like to bite when there's a low pressure system.
Practice casting with a washer or a rock at the end of your line in your yard. If the water is deep enough, on hot days the fish will be under the bridge so they're in the shade or they'll be in the deepest part of the pool.
I have never heard of being charged for a place to fish nor would I pay it. Well, maybe........I love fishing.
Good Luck on your fishing endeavor. You'll find it very relaxing.

Answer 2

Start simple. A 12' float rod that takes line of 4lbs and a small reel, will get you started. A few floats, some shot (small weights) and hooks in size 14 - 16 - 18, ready tied for easy use is all you need.

Visit the lake (its simpler than river for the moment) when there are a few members already fishing. There will ALWAYS be someone prepared to help an old timer get started. And dont discount the youngsters, as they take great pride in being able to help people out. There not all yobs.

Once you've mastered the float (the most commonly used type of angling) you can then move on to feeder fishing, or ledgering, i dont need to explain this, as by this time you will have been given a lot of good tips, and will probably already have a friend to go with. You wont make friends anywhere, as quickly as you do on the bank-side, trust me. Anglers will always stick together, young and old.

Your local tackle dealer, is someone you need to get to know also, as he can be of great help. Other than that, Tight lines, and good luck

Answer 3

Congratulations on deciding to learn to fish!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am not familiar with the laws or customs in Wales but in the United States we can hire a guide to take us fishing and they can be a wealth of information. You can learn a lot just by asking questions and observing someone as they are fishing. This is very important do not interupt people as they are fishing wait till they are done or takes a short break then approach them about your questions and ask them if they would be willing to teach you or if they can direct you to someone who can or would be willing to teach you.

As far as equipment goes you need to make sure you are within the what the law allows. Just remember "Ignorance is no excuse in the eyes of the Law." Go to your local sports store and ask the employees what you should get as a beginner, make a list of what they tell you. Then ask a few of the customers and they will tell you what they think you need, check the items off the list the employee gave you. Just remember the most expensive is not always the best.

I would start out with inexpensive gear just to see if fishing is something you want to continue with, no reason to spend an outrageous amount only to find you do not like fishing and have the equipment set in a closet.

If you were in the Rio Grande Valley, Texas, I would offer to personally help you.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

Answer 4

You will need to decide whether you want to fly-fish or not.

If not, buy a spinning reel. Quantum makes good ones.
Depending on the size of trout and salmon, you will need to choose a rod/reel combo that will give you light to medium action.

For flourocarbon line, buy something between 4 to 8 pounds test.
I love to use the brand "P LINE" in a pale green box. It is perfect, in my mind.

You'll want to use a lure that looks like the head of a tiny fish, with a spoon (metal leaf-like thing) in front, and a treble hook trailing behind it. I can't remember what those are called offhand.

If you want to flyfish, you'll need to buy some hand tied flies, and get some help in picking out a good rod and line. You'll need waders.

I am an angler (bass fisherman). If there are bass in the pool you are referring to, please make note of it, and I can direct you further. Bass fishing is my great love.

Answer 5

A lot of good advice in the previous answers, especially going to a local tackle store and asking questions. The best advice however, is to visit the pool often and find the person that is catching the most fish from it. You will find that he (or she) will have a wealth of information about the type of fishing equipment and baits (both natural and artificial) that you will need to be successful. Spend time watching them and how they are presenting their baits to the fish. Determine what makes them successful and you will learn quickly and efficiently how to fish best for your location.

P. S. Once you get a fisherman talking, it's hard to get him to stop.

Best of luck, you will love fishing.

Answer 6

theres only one way to become a good fisherman and thats by asking ques.you go about this by going to the spots you are going to fish.their you will find your answers.from there wisdsom and experince the locals will inform you of tackle and knowledge they have obtain over the years.once youve learned just enough to start practice and more ques and your own innovations will create you into a fisherman.many times you make amistake you can ask a local what did or am i doing wrong,most will be happy to help.in time you will become the fountain of knowledge giving your knowledge to a person in your position.someone gave me this advice when i was a young boy,today im a giver of knowlledge.i use to read fishig books til i realized there was nothing in them that a local fisherman could inform me 10 times` better.now i pick them up and look at the pictures because from practice and always asking i know the article before it begins

Answer 7

I have a friend at St. Ann's Head and he has not mentioned anything about this river of yours. If I were you I would go to the place that sells fishing equipment, to catch salmon you need different than say fishing in the Ocean (which I do). Now what did you say your address was, this sounds like really good fishin.

Answer 8

Yes, buy a new rod and reel. Go to a sporting goods store and tell them that you are a beginner and need equipment for fresh water fishing.

The whole act of fishing is pretty self-explanintory, and easy! It's a good way to relax, and once you feel the fish tug, you'll love it!

Answer 9

you start bye getting a pool and than tying the hook to the string at the end at the pool on the hook you hook up some bait and then it depends on what type of pool you have but if you have a buton near the bottom you hold it down and swing the pool towards the pond/lake/river/och in and when your moving the pool towards you know what you let go and than when you feel it get heavy you real it in bye moving the thing at the bottom of the pool and when you see the end you see it/no bait/no hook

Answer 10

You shouldn't need anything special other then a fishing pole, line, reel, and of course bait. I would stop by you local bait shop "fishing store" and ask for the best bait and fishing equipment for the type of fish your wanting to catch. Don't forget a fishing license if you state requires one and watch for cars. Good luck to you.