New to fishing

I am thinking of getting myself a rod and catching me some fish for the pot. Do I need to get a licence to fish and can I be considered a poacher if I do fish at the canal or river near me? Also what are the basics that I need to get me started.

Any help will be most welcome.

N.V.M.

i don't know about your neck of the woods but there's not one place i can think of here where you do not need a license unless its a privately owned pond. and we also need seperate licenses for salt water/tidal and freshwater.

also,all licenses start in March i believe, so if you buy one in January, its only good for two months, so its not wise to buy a license that late in the year.

the penalties for not having a license can be very harsh. not only fines, but possesion of your gear, boat and vehicle is not unheard of.

mark

In Britain you don't need a license for sea fishing but any angler aged 12 years or over, fishing for salmon, trout, freshwater fish or eels in England Wales & Northern Ireland must have an Environment Agency rod licence.

The license cost £23.75 per year to fish for course fish and non migratory trouty (the ones that don't swim into the sea and back)

You have to pay more if ylu want to catch sea trout and salmon -£63.75 a year.

The money goes to the enironment agency to pay to pay for upkeep of rivers and lakes etc.

If you are caught fishing without one, you are could be fined up to £2,500 - as well as face the ire of other anglers who generally chip in quite wilingly for the contribution to the watery environment!

In ADDITION to this - to fish in some waters that are privately owned or controlled you will need to buy a permit for that particular stretch of river or pond!
these can be year long permits - or day permits (useful on a day out or holiday)
(permit waters are usually stocked with young fish by by angling clubs or owners!)

Fishing tackle shops can give you a list of which waters are free fishing (rod licence only is enough) and which require a permit in you area.

Waters frequently have rules about what methods you can or cannot use to fish (to stop over fishing) - what must be returned - how much you can take etc - you should make sure you find out what they are before you fish a particular water!
(eg no bait fishing for trout - fly only is quite common)
there may also be limits on what you are allowed to take and what you must return

Caplan

Mark is spot on - Very dodgy to poach or fish without licenses in UK freshwaters. See http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/subjects/fish/?lang=_e for the full details to Mark's post and details of UK fish trapping regulations (I.e. you can't really!).

selfsufficientish

I had a feeling that you could not get away with it. Not a huge ammount to pay though really, especially if you start to consider the costs of fresh fish.

Just found this site http://www.dofreefishing.com - looks like there is a streach near me of mixed course fishing.

mark

most people regard most course fish as being a bit inedible ..

i have heard about peopel eating carp and pike but they are very bony and usually made into quenelles!

perch is meant to be ok today

but don't expect sopmething like trout salmon or any of the sea fish when it comes to flavour!

Simon

Hi Andy

I am also contemplating fishing for the first time here in France this year. I know that the anual license here costs 71 Euros which allows us to fish anywhere in the Haute Vienne. Similarly to what has been said above the license starts at the beginning of the season so I will be waiting until then to get started.

Just an idea but is there a trout farm near you? If so it may be possible to have a go there to get you started. This should not require a fishing license as they are usually privately owned and you just pay for what you catch. That is the case here anyhow and I am looking forward to a bit of "trout fishing" with a friend of mine very soon.

Good luck

Simon

mark

sorry you need a rod license to fish even in privately owned waters in England & Wales !

you will also have to pay for permit on a trout farm!

leebu

Course fish are well worth the effort: Pike is bony but more than worth it. Make great fish cakes.

ziggy searchfield

Re: New to fishing

selfsufficientish wrote:

wotcha selfsufFISHentish Wink

i'm a newcomer to river fishing myself, its a whole different kettle to sea fishing. probably best if you hook up with a local coarse fisherperson to show you the ropes. have a look here

http://www.anglersnet.co.uk/forums/index.php?showforum=3

i'm a dedicated sea angler myself, are you mobile ? if you can get to the sea you are much more likeley to get food for the pot, failing that, there are shell fish & sea weed to be collected, plus many of our cultivated plants originate at the coast, cabbage, beet, sea kale & of course the delicacy samphire.

if you are interested in sea fishing, let me know & i can recommend a basic kit, advice etc

Smile

mark

i'm about as land locked as possible here in derby - just about as near as possible as it is to get to the centre of england!

but i would be interested to travel a bit if any downsizers fancied taking a boat out sea fishing together!

think there's any mileage in it - or are any of you guys out there skipppers?

mark

dpack

i am lucky enough to have good rivers near . check with the environment agency what your local seasons / size and number rules are .it is possible to harm stocks within these rules but a bit of common sense and all will be well .
there is no need to spend lots of money on kit . the library has loads of books .
be gentle to dinner land it fast dispatch it fast , be very gentle to bycatch ,many returned fish die (i never intend to catch and return but sometimes you cant help but get baby or a out of season one
if it swims in britain it is edible , some are better than others .
learn as much as you can about the river and its lifeforms .
maybe join a club but freewaters are there for the finding .
enjoy.
another fisher .

alanb

taking stocks of fish

You will find that if you are seen in many fisheries taking stocks of course fish you could find your self 'swimming with the fishes'it may work in the good life but many rivers and still waters are stocked by thier owners, how ever if you contact some of the larger trout pools they will let you take perch and pike, zander on the fens are to be cleared and not a native fish so you can take them. for many years eels have been a good source of free food but in many waters are becomming scarce.

love your web site we make animal housing from recycled materials
alanb

alex.swann

I've been thinking of getting into fishing.

Done some deep sea stuff and fly fishing - both on corporate days out.

Now living in the peak district with plenty of access - but could do with some tips on tackle - as I will end up down banks etc - the more portable, muti tasking stuff the better.

I've read all the things on licences and understand that - just after some tackle/bait tips

Alex

bodger

Perch is gorgous ! The Yanks have the same perch as us over there and they would die for them . They even have organised social get togethers called perch suppers where they all dine together in unison . Not a very pretty sight .
The French are also into Pike . At one time the water authorities use to ship out a lot of netted pike direct to them .

I'm not a frog or a yank but I love eels and they are well worth catching for the table !

Jonnyboy

Aussies love it too, I think they call it English Perch.

ros

Perch, pike and zander all v yummy and eaten widely across eastern europe. I've never learn't to fish but my 12 yo wants to start. how does he learn? can you get a DVD to teach yourself fishing?

bodger

Some of the John Wilson progs on Sky are really good 'Go Fishing'
I was taught by friends but I also spent a lot of time reading a whole series of books called 'Fishing with Mr Crabtree' Don't know if you can still get them but they were brilliant !
Your local fishing club may also have a junior section. Enquire at your local fishing tackle shop !There are usually a reasonable selection of fishing books in the library.

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