Where to go when you have decided you want to start fishing

You have for what ever reason just decided you would like to give fishing a go. You may of seen fishing programs on the TV, read some articles in the newspaper, angling papers, or looked up different hobbies on the internet.

Now you want to get the necessary equipment to have a days fishing.

So where do you go?

The first thing you do is find your local tackle shop. This no matter how big, or how small is the only place you will get the valuable information about the area you live in and its fisheries or lack of them. To find your local tackle shop if you don't know one just use your yellow pages. If your in an area that doesn't have a tackle shop (this is very rare) then you need to find someone that knows one fairly local. You can find many people along the river, canals and lakes and most people don't get angry if approached nicely and QUIETLY.

Support them and they will support you! - Local tackle shop

The local tackle shop is also the first place that you SHOULD get all your first equipment from. Its always very tempting - seeing the fishing magazines full of adverts of big mail order companies offering starter kits etc at a sometimes considerably lower price than of your local shop, but you cannot be shown how to set everything up via mail order companies phone. Not supporting your local shop, will result in it maybe closing down due to lack of customers. That will mean  you having to end up paying a fortune in petrol to drive to the next town and back just to get a pint of maggots or a packet of hooks!

Environment Agency Rod licences - Don't go coarse fishing without one!

Rod license - this is a legal requirement for anyone 12 years or over to fish in England and Wales for any freshwater fish including Salmon and Trout. The prices of this is very little compared to the maximum fine of £2500 if you are caught fishing without one. Also in a lot of cases convocation of equipment is the case!

For the latest prices and ways to buy follow this link. This does not however entitle you to fish a particular water, this is only a licence to "angle" for freshwater fish. To buy a rod licence go to any post office in the UK or buy on line at the link above.

The fees from the license sales and much more money that the EA is given from the government goes towards 1) safe guarding the future of angling 2) Promoting angling 3) fights against river pollution 4) fights against fish stealing 5) cleaning rivers, lakes 6) working together with fishing clubs up and down the country to build and protect new fisheries. The list is endless so its not just another tax - its for a good cause!

Closed Season VERY IMPORTANT INFORMATION!

To many people this is a confusing issue, even to people that have been fishing for many years. About 11 years ago, the byelaws on the closed season changed. Before it changed ALL freshwater fisheries in the south of England had to be closed from March 14th and reopened June 16th. In the north it was slightly different, lakes were open at the owners discretion but rivers and canals no matter where in the country were closed.

Now this is has changed - Lakes and canals are open all year round at the owner/lease holders discretion. ALL RIVERS ARE STILL CLOSED.

Obtain permission to fish before you start!

Obtaining permission to fish is in the form of a day ticket, membership of a club or syndicate. There are some waters that are “free” fishing though remember you WILL need your Rod License to fish legally, the term “free” only means that you can fish at that water without the purchase of a day ticket or permit. A great source for finding out about local waters and the cost of day tickets etc is your local tackle shop, most tackle shops information on the 2 or 3 biggest clubs in the area. If they don’t know then maybe a trip down to the water you wish to fish will give some information. This can be on a noticeboard where there is normally information for people wishing to join. You could also ask other anglers, don’t be afraid to ask, most are glad to help; just remember to not be too loud when approaching and whilst you are in the area with them. Most commercial lakes have a on site tackle shop/café and the employees will be equipped with the right information you need..