As a beginner, there's lots to learn about the art of fishing. Let a competent angler teach you the basics or take a few lesson with a coach. Practise the basic manoeuvres until you are confident to go further. Fishermen spend a lifetime learning, practising and developing their skills.

Hints and Tips

• Choose an open space, free of overhanging vegetation, for your first lesson.
• Find out how your rod works.
• Learn to cast. It takes some practice, but you'll soon improve.

Finding the fish
A good angler knows the good places to fish and tries to judge where the fish are by the appearance of the water. Ask him about the signs he look for.

• Tiny bubbles on the surface could be from a tench or bream feeding.
• Moving rushes may be the sign of a carp waiting for its prey.
• Fry skipping across the surface of the water might indicate a perch or pike beneath the surface.

Catching a fish
Choosing the right bait, hook and weight or fly is important. Ask for advice from your local tackle shop about what to take before you set out.

• Learn how to attach the bait or fly to the hook. Different fish are attracted to different types of bait.
• When a fish 'bites' (takes the bait), you need to learn how to 'play the fish'. This means keeping the fish on the hook while you reel it in. If you don't play the fish, it can easily get away. You may need to use a net to help you 'land' a large fish when it gets near to the bank - but be careful near the edge (See advice about Safety).
• Handling a fish correctly when it has been caught is important for the fish's protection and yours. Always use wet hands and find out the correct way to unhook a fish from a line. Some fish have sharp teeth that can give you a serious injury if you're not sure what you're doing.

General hints

• Fish into the wind. It should improve your catch
• Use the right bait of good quality
• Learn how to present your bait properly on the hook, so that it looks natural in the water
• Find out about the different species of fish. If you know which fish swim where, and you know what sort of bait attracts them, then you are well on your way to making some good catches!
• Avoid your shadow falling over the water and tread lightly especially near the water's edge. Fish are aware of shadows and sound vibrations. Loud or sudden movements will disturb them.

Safety

• Stay clear of slippery river banks or unstable lake sides.
• Always fish with a partner, preferably a responsible adult, in case you have any problems
• Never fish anywhere near overhead power-lines. Even if you are fifty feet away, electricity can jump the gap.
• Protect the environment by caring for it. Take your litter home.
• Fishing is no place for loud music or loud behaviour. It will disturb other anglers, and the fish you are trying to catch!
• Be extra careful if you are fishing from a boat, on a lake, on a reservoir or at sea.