A great way to unwind is to obtain a fishing rod, a reel, some fishing bait, and go angling, and this article introduces the diverse methods and styles of angling in the United Kingdom. It’s a fantastic way to be outdoors, and there’s an expanding fishing community in the United Kingdom with many fishing clubs and contests attended by many fishing hobbyists.
So how to fish? You just need a fishing rod, a fishing reel, some bait, and the ability to sit down in one place for a lengthy period of time! Depending on where you love in the UK will influence the type of fishing you’ll be involved in. There’s game fishing which demands hooking larger fish, often as a contest, and then there’s coarse fishing which can take part in rivers, lakes and in the sea. It’s best to get involved with the kind of fishing that doesn’t require you putting in the miles - best to have a lake or river close by that you can get to at a moment’s notice - as the fantastic thing about fishing is the fact it’s a place you can go to unwind.
Coarse fishing is a term used for angling types of fresh water fish other than game fish. It’s particularly popular in Great Britain and Europe. The types of fish you can expect to find on the end of your line when coarse fishing can be dace, pike, roach, bream and tench amongst many other species of fish. For coarse fishing, you just require a typical a fishing reel, a fishing rod, possibly a fishing tripod (to balance the fishing rod), some fishing groundbait, some keepnets and fishing landing nets.
Big-game fishing is a kind of angling, targeting large fish famous for their difficulty in reeling in, such as tuna. Despite the swashbuckling images that conjours, game fishing can also include salmon and trout.
Fishing tackle is a vital part of fishing. Bait is applied to entice fish to the hidden hook. Traditionally, insects, and smaller fish have been applied for this intent. Individuals are also now using plastic bait and, more recently, electronic lures, to lure fish. Reports reveal that natural tackle like worms are more accepted by the fish and so more effective.
Fishing is especially popular in the warmer months when the temperature is warmer and the days longer, and night angling isn’t so freezing chilly. Fishing can be as cheap as you want it to be. Just get a a rod, a fishing reel, some fishing tackle, a fishing license, and that’s it.
Steelhead Gear
Like many things in fly fishing you can ask 10 different fly anglers a single question and you’ll get 10 different answers. Asking what steelhead rod one should use for fly fishing is no different. Every circumstance is different. And the answer varies with each situation. However let’s try to get a generic answer so everyone can at least get started in this rewarding aspect of fly fishing.
RODS
Most steelheaders use at least a seven weight rod. And in fact that is my recommendation. There that would be the end of it, except for one thing. We, fly fishermen have a perpetual habit of complicating things. Choosing rods is no different. A seven weight, in my opinion is an ideal all around steelhead rod, that will work for any steelhead conditions. However if one is fishing out west in big water, under windy conditions, fighting bigger than average fish, then you will be cursing your seven weight rod in no time, as being too light. Therefore before you buy, think about the fishing you most plan to do. If your favorite river is large and the fish are big and the current is strong then seven weight will not be big enough, if the stream is smaller and the fish are in the six pound range than seven weight will be plenty. And some thrill seeking fly fisher’s will use six.
As for length, the absolute shortest rod I would use is 9 foot. With 9 and a half recommended, especially for weights over 7. Again think of the conditions and the same rules for weight, more or less work for length. Longer rods provide longer casts, and more control. Out west two-handed spey rods are becoming more and more popular for steelhead fishing. With roll casting often required. Two handed rods allow the longest casting and can lengthen the fishing season, when high waters would force one off the river, when using a single handed rod.
REELS
When playing a steelhead, the reel becomes much more than just a place to store your fly line. The reel needs to be reliable as steelhead switch directions instantly peeling off line. They need to be large enough to hold your fly line and 150 yards of backing. Large arbor reels are becoming popular as they pick line up in a hurry, when your prized steelie decides to run at you.
LINE
Erie steelheaders tend to use floating line as the rivers are smaller, they are perfect. If you would like a little boost in casting then get a weight forward line, marked by WF on the package. On big rivers one should carry a floating line and a sinking tip line, as the conditions change during the season. Getting the fly down to the fish is vital.
LEADERS
Most steelheaders actually make their own leaders. Using Maxima Chameleon more often then not. Tippets should be 0x or smaller, Erie steelheaders can go up to 4x on clear water days. But bigger river anglers should stay around 0x or .011 diameter to turn over the bigger flies, and to allow for strong arming the fish. For detailed leader recipes check our www.globalflyfisher.com.
Well that’s it if you have never tried steelhead fly fishing you are in for a treat. Use this guide as a starting spot for acquiring the proper gear, pick up a few flies from www.bigyflyco.com and just add water.
About The Author
Cameron Larsen is a retired commericial fly tier and fly fishing guide. He now operates The Big Y Fly Company - http://www.bigyflyco.com. He can be reached at info@bigyflyco.com.