Types of Fishing

Freshwater Fishing
Freshwater fishing is carried out in still water such as lakes, reservoirs or ponds, or in moving water such as streams and rivers. Different techniques are used depending on what you want to catch, your skill and where you are fishing.

The two main types of freshwater fishing are coarse fishing and fly (game) fishing.

Generally, Coarse fishermen use a rod, line, float and bait while Fly fishermen use a fly rod, fly line and flies. Some fish such as catfish, pike, barbel, chub, perch, roach or eels are more commonly caught by coarse fishermen, but many of these fish are also caught using fly fishing methods. Salmon, trout and grayling are traditionally known as 'game' fish but grayling becomes a 'coarse' fish when caught using a float and bait.

Sea or Saltwater Fishing
Saltwater fishing takes place in seas, oceans, estuaries, and tidal rivers. You can fish from the end of a pier or jetty or if you want to try your hand in deeper water, book a place on a fishing trip that takes you out from the coast by boat. Day or afternoon fishing trips are available in most fishing towns. The boat owner often provides all the equipment and a guiding hand when you need it!

Competition or Match Fishing
There is a lot of interest in match fishing and most clubs are involved with fly or coarse fishing competitions for different age groups. There is often a trophy for the largest catch of the day but the aim of most competitions is to catch the greatest weight of fish so you need to catch more than one! Many fishermen enter competitions as a team rather than individually.

Some competitions also give cash prizes to the winners but you need more than luck to win. There is a great deal of skill involved in becoming a champion fisherman.

There are competitions at all levels. The England Youth Fly Fishing Association, for example, provides low cost, competitive fly fishing for young anglers aged 12 - 17 (See Information: Organisations).

If you are keen to improve your fishing skills, go along to a match, and watch and learn from experienced anglers. Most matches are fished between 10am and 3pm.

Types of Fish

Barbel
These greenish-brown fish have feelers called 'barbels' attached to their upper lip and are found mostly in freshwater streams. Competition catches can weigh as much as 20kg.

Bream
The European bream is a freshwater fish about 30cm long and is found in lakes or deep, slow stretches of river. The gilthead bream is found in saltwater.

Carp
There are four types of carp commonly found in the UK: mirror carp, common carp, leather carp and wild carp. The leather carp has almost no scales, the mirror carp has a few large scales and the wild carp is covered with scales. On average an adult carp weighs around 2 - 3kg, but much larger fish are caught in competitions. For more information about Carp fishing contact The Carp Society, Horseshoe Lake, Burford Road, Lechlade, Glos, GL9 3QQ, Tel. 01367 253959

Catfish
Catfish are found in still or moving freshwater. They are nocturnal and are more easily fished for on warm nights. They have barbels on their upper and sometimes lower jaw, similar to the whiskers of a cat. The Catfish Conservation Group, c/o The Retreat, Heath Lane, Eweshot, Nr Farnham, Surrey, GU10 5AW will give you more information.

Chub
Chub are freshwater fish found mainly in rivers, near overhanging trees or tree roots. They are similar to carp and have huge mouths giving them the nickname 'trenchmouth' fish.

Eels
Black and silver eels are found in freshwater lakes and streams but as they travel to the sea to spawn, they can also be caught in coastal waters and estuaries.

Grayling
Grayling are similar to trout and are found in fresh, moving water. The Grayling Society can be contacted at 10 Park Road, Salford M6 8HN.

Perch
The common perch is often called 'the anglers friend' because it is quite easy to catch when nothing else is 'biting'. Its average weight is around 1kg but it can weigh more than 2.5 kg.

Pike
Northern Pike, found in the UK, are generally quite big and can grow up to 1.4m in length. They have long bodies and bill-like snouts. Pike like to hid themselves among the weeds to wait for smaller fish or frogs.

Roach
Roach are one of the most common fish found in the UK. They are about 40cm long and an be found at any depth in most waters, although the bigger ones are normally caught on the bottom.

Tench
Tench is a member of the carp family. Its average weight is around 2kg but it can grow bigger.

Trout
Common trout are found in fresh and saltwater. Sea trout are usually silvery in colour, while river trout are olive brown. Both have spotted markings on the side. Catching trout is the traditional sport of fly fishermen. For more information contact, The British Trout Association, 10 Barley Mow Passage, Chiswick, London W4 4PH, Tel: 0181 994 6477.

Where to learn?

• The best way to learn how to fish is from a keen angler. This can be a member of your own family or perhaps a family friend. The person teaching you should be a responsible adult with a good deal of experience who can help you choose a rod and tackle, who can show you some good places to fish, and who can guide you through the basic skills.

  If you are keen, you will probably be able to fish independently from the age of ten or eleven but while you are a junior angler (under 16) you should still be accompanied by a responsible adult when you fish.

• Join a local club. Many clubs insist that junior members are accompanied whenever and wherever they fish for safety reasons but in return they often provide coaching sessions and club events. Ask for details about clubs at your local Angling Shop (see Yellow Pages). Information about clubs can also be found on the Information page.