Fishing For Beginners A New beginning

Fishing is an ancient practice. If you are new to the sport of fishing, you need to know some of the basic rules of fishing. Like other outdoor sports, fishing involves both your environment and those around you. Be respectful of both and YES you do need a license to legally fish. It dates back nearly 10,000 years. A number of various techniques and traditions were used in the progression of fishing from then to now.  Modern technology has changed the way people fish, but many of the same rules, regulations, and social norms involving fishing remain even today.

10 Things To Consider Before Beginning To Fish

1) Always practice good stewardship of our waterways when you are fishing. Remember that these waterways were around thousands of years before you and will remain long after we are gone. A big buzz you hear is limit your catch don’t catch your limit.  It is OK to keep fish. They are great to eat, just remember let the big breeding fish go, they are the key to you catching fish in the future. Take pictures of YOUR Trophy, get good measurements then turn them loose. Of course, and here is where fishing ethics come into the picture, a taxidermy specimen is OK as long as it gets to the taxidermist and not wasted, but check on regulations before you keep it certain size and slot size limits apply.

2) Never litter when you are fishing. Always bring a trash bag or other receptacle to use to collect your trash. It may be hot but boating, alcohol and fishing are NOT good things to do at the same time. 

3) As you fish, always use the correct type of bait and fishing gear. Certain areas allow for certain bait and gear. As well certain areas allow for live bait other areas do not. In Canada we can not use live minnows but we can use dead or commercially frozen minnows. We can use live bait, such as worms, maggots, leeches but not frogs, salamanders or endangered species.

4) Every country, province or state will also have limits on the number, size, and kind of fish that you can keep. Become familiar with what these limits are and pay attention to them. Do not wait until you are at your fishing spot to search for what is or is not allowed. Check with your destination before you head out on your fishing trip to see what the local regulations allow.

5) Every fishing location is different, so pay special attention to local rules and regulations and cautions. You do not want to wreck your boat or ruin your fishing trip by fishing in a wrong place or hit submerged items as you boat. In Saskatchewan we have lakes that fall in both Alberta and Saskatchewan you need to have a valid fishing licence to fish in both provinces or you could be fined for fishing without a license, if caught on wrong side of lake.

6) If you will be using a boat while you fish, always wear your life jacket. Make sure that your passengers wear their life jackets, as well. Yes, the regulations say life jackets only need be in the boat and you need one per fisher person, but it’s hard to swim in 4 foot waves or for long periods of time. Remember, in some instances the only people fishing at the same time as you may be in the boat with you. If you tip the boat, you could be, as the saying goes, Up the creek without a paddle, in this case a life jacket.  Make sure that you never fish on unauthorized waterways. Follow the posted speed limits and wake warnings that accompany the use of a boat. This also applies when you decide to clean your boat after you leave the water. You do not want to spread non-native species to another body of water.

7) Be aware of other people in the boat, watch where you swing the hook to cast. After all you are fishing for fish not your fishing buddy. An emergency trip to have a hook removed is a sure way to ruin a fishing trip.  However, think of the fish story, better yet think of how your going to explain it to your buddies spouse. You will probably lose the buddy as well or they will be very unlikely to go fishing with you again. Be very careful when baiting and removing hooks from fish. All it takes is a slip or shake of the head to have a hook imbedded deep in your hand. 

Keep an eye on weather conditions. Sudden downpours happen. Winds pick up and whitecaps form quickly. On big water bodies waves grow very fast to large rolling whitecaps. Be aware of lightning, remember water conducts electricity and strikes the highest item. Your fishing rod could become a lightning rod.

9) Bring with you all relevant safety items, such as water, flashlights, maps, cell phone, food, rain jacket, bug repellant and extra clothes. You never know, you could have forgot to turn off your lights and have a dead battery in the vehicle. The boat motor could break down and some lakes run 40 – 50 miles in length, a long row back to the vehicle. While fishing a sudden rain could leave you soaked. Also remember fish make a great shore lunch as long as you have a way to cook them.

10) Never fish where it is not permitted. There is always a reason why it is illegal. Some reasons include the protection of certain wildlife, the proper care of vegetation, and the safety of you and others who want to fish. Fishing below weirs is unsafe and illegal, so do not fish there.

In conclusion, you now, know some of the basic rules of fishing.  YES the first and biggest rule, you do need a license to legally fish. Check with your local licence vendor or Conservation Officer, as to age requirements and costs. To be successful you need to always Plan Your Fishing Trip.

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Fishing or No Fishing..That is the question!

Fishing tips, information and questions to help new or just beginning fisherman decide if they want to become involved with the sport of fishing or angling. Every day someone in a sporting goods store, watching TV, watching fishing and outdoor channels, listening to radio, or seeing someone else enjoying the sport of fishing, say to themselves: "This is a great show, they sure seem to catch a lot of fish!", "One of these days I am going to learn to fish", "Man I want to catch a fish as big as that one", "I wish I could go fishing and catch fish". "Fish are not biting today, why go?" "Wonder where they caught all the fish?"

Still others say, "I would like to fish, but I know nothing about the sport." "Wonder what I can do and how can I get started." "Probably to expensive to do anyway!" "Just once I would like to catch more fish than…" "They must have a secret weapon to catch fish like that"

Then there is the complete new person, "What type of rod do I use?" "What is the best lures to use?" "Do I need a boat to fish from?" "What equipment do I need?" "Wonder where the hotspot is, in this lake?", "Wish there was someone I could ask a few questions about fishing!"

The true fisherman, "I have to learn his secret", "Wonder what I can learn today?", "Where should I go Fishing today?", "Hmm, little cloud, some wind maybe rain, Great let’s go fishing!", "I want to try this new lure in a river, on a lake, at the hot spot!". Fishing means good and bad days but always willing to go.

Are you one of these people? Do you know one of these? If you are, or you do know someone, it is important to ask some very important questions before you make the leap into the sport of fishing.

Things to consider are:

How much do I want to invest into this sport? 

Am I going to be a weekend and holiday fisherman?

Am I going fishing at least 10 – 20 times this year?

Am I going all the way, going to be a Pro?

Who can I get to take and show me how to fish?

Depending on what you want will determine how much you spend in this sport, there is always new products, the latest and best thing to come along.

YOUR SUCCESS RESTS ENTIRELY UPON YOUR OWN SHOULDERS

Remember practice makes perfect. But practice takes time. You can learn to fish.

THE KEY TO SUCCESS IS YOU

You Have To:

Be self-motivated, good and bad days

Not listen to excuses others make for not catching fish

Have drive and determination to catch fish

Be open to new ideas.

Be willing to try something different.

Look for new information, products

Fish unfavourable conditions

To answer the question of To Fish or Not To Fish, it is like everything else, you have to try it before you can decide if you like it or not. Remember what mom said, "You have to try it, at least ONE FORK FULL, then if you don’t like it, you don’t have to eat it!" apply this same principle to fishing. "You have to try it, at least UNTIL YOU CATCH ONE FISH, then if you don’t like it, you don’t have to do it!" Like everything else You need to Plan A Fishing Trip to be successful.

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