What are some of these fun facts about fishing?
Humans have been fishing for over 40,000 years. Think of all the fishing stories that have been told during this period of time. This is my fishing story.
The melting snows have made the rivers overflow their banks and the silt and debris that’s rushing down to the sea makes it very impractical to cast a line into these waters.
This has introduced me to a whole new way of fishing and to two new friends. One is a river fisherman and the other spends his days at the lake. Nonetheless, I am learning many new tips and tricks about lake fishing and spending a lot more time in and around these beautiful lakes.
Let’s look at these “fishy” facts
1. Fishing records date back to the early Paleolithic Era, 40,000 years ago. Fish bones and cave paintings show that fishing was a major source of food for these early hunter-gatherers. Fish could be caught nearly everywhere and this played well in the nomadic lifestyle of the early man.
Early fish hooks were made of bone. FISH is a noun and a verb!
2. What is your target species ? What species of fish are you trying to catch? The fish that you are trying to catch has a very specific lifestyle in a very specific habitat. If you are fishing for trout on a river, on a lake or in the ocean, your methods, equipment, and the techniques you use will vary greatly.
3. Regulations!
What are they and why do we need fishing regulations? They are there for a reason. Without some form of management, fish species would not stand a chance against man’s intelligence and greed.
Regulations will stipulate, where to fish, your daily quota, size of the fish, time of year and many other factors including water-specific and in-season regulation changes.
4. Catch or Release!
Whether you decide to keep or release the fish you hook is a very important consideration.
If you are going to release your fish, do not prolong the fight, do not bring this fish to exhaustion. Do not squeeze the fish . Do not put your fingers into the gills.
If you are on a river, point the fish upstream, when it begins to struggle and remains upright – let it go gently back into the river.
5. The fishing pole, the reel, the line, and the terminal tackle you bring to the body of water you fish are all important things to consider. Today, anyone who wants to go fishing has many easy options to choose from.
Unlike in the early days, modern-day fishers, have access to complete packages to get you casting a line into the water quickly.
Do you have a fishing license! Remember the Fishing Regulations!
6. The type of water you will be fishing is an important factor. Fishing a river, a lake or the ocean are all very different activities.
It’s always best to go fishing with a friend or partner if you are new to the sport. If this is not possible then lakes and rivers are probably your best place to start.
Ocean fishing is usually done from a boat, but it can also be done from a pier or a beach. Two more easy options for the beginner. If you live near the ocean or if you live further inland, one of these options may apply to you.
If you have a friend who owns a boat, is a fishing guide or owns a boat charter service, you are probably thinking of how you got started into fishing and when can you go fishing again.
7. There are many fishing methods, and these can vary with the water body you fish.
Rivers can be fished by spin-casting, fly-fishing and with center-pin reels. As you gain experience fishing, you will become familiar with all of these methods and you may even get more attached to one method over all others.
Bait fishing, fly-fishing, trolling and ice-fishing can all be practiced on lakes. Fishing books and magazines are always helpful and can be accessed in all bookstores and libraries.
Do not neglect to visit your local fishing tackle shop. Many fishermen are also happy to give you a few tips or teach you a few tricks that they have learned over the years.
8. Boat or no boat. Some hard-core fishermen spend their entire lives walking the banks of a favorite river or the shoreline of a lake, while others would never think of fishing without a boat.
If you or one of your friends has a boat, so much the better. This is always a good thing. Boats and fishing are like apple pie and ice cream, they are made for each other.
Do not forget your PDF. What is a PDF? A PDF is a personal flotation device. It is the modern name for the old life jacket.
Perhaps a float tube is more your style!
9. Preparation as a food. If you are going to keep your catch it must be cleaned quickly and ideally placed on ice until you arrive home.
Learn how to clean your fish. Open your fish along the belly remove all the internal organs and blood along the backbone. Remove the gills and scales. Scaling the fish will remove the slime that protects the fish while it’s in the water.
Fish can also be filleted. Be sure to check your regulations. If you are approached by a Conservation Officer, he has to be able to determine the species and size of your catch.
10. Safety!
Safety should always be a concern in your day to day activities and in any sport or hobby, you participate in.
If you are on a river bank or a lakeshore, remember that the banks can collapse without warning, and you can quickly find yourself into a lake or a rapidly flowing river.
Don’t think that PDF’s are only for boats. Every year, many people drown while fishing along lakes and rivers. A Personal Flotation Device is an inexpensive way to get you home safely!
Statistics prove this every year.
Comments, Questions, and Suggestions
If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions about fishing, do not hesitate to Contact Me with the details.