Angling is often misconstrued purely as a lone pursuit; a solitary angling zealot leaving his household at an unholy hour on an icy winter day in order to seek out some isolated spot next to a canal, with a flaskful of hot drink. While that impression is true for a good number of angling fanatics, it is at the same time a very false view of many other angling hobbyists, as they view angling very much as a social event, getting involved in a social group and at the same time being a good justification to take trips around the United Kingdom and even internationally by participating in fishing vacations.

Not only that, but angling competitions are numerous - and they’re a good reason to meet new people and find out new angling tricks, while having the perfect excuse to go on a mini holiday. In fact, there are people who state that fishing is simply a justification to meet people and travel! However, angling is all the same taken very seriously by many of its hobbyists and they’re motivated by the social scene primarily to discover more about fishing via swapping tips and advice with other people.

In the last 10 years, the net has truly served in the growth of the fishing communities - via Twitter, blogging etc, it’s now easy to organise or simply go to an angling contest or informal get-together, while exchanging tips and advice on Twitter, forums, blogs, Facebook etc.

When it comes to fishing gear, the net has absolutely aided people in hunting down the most suitable tackle, rod, reel, carp bite alarms etc as nowadays you can equate with thousands of websites instead of just being limited to their near-by fishing shop.

Fishing is oftentimes considered a lone hobby; a lone fishing enthusiast leaving his household before daybreak on a freezing winter day in order to locate some solitary spot by a river, with a flaskful of coffee to keep him from numbing his hands. While this particular stereotype is well drawn for a well known group of angling zealots, it’s also a very inaccurate impression of the majority of fishing enthusiasts who view fishing as being a people-facing pasttime, being involved in a social group and at the same time being a fantastic reason to travel the country and even worldwide by getting engaged in angling trips.

To add to that, angling contests have become very popular - these being a fantastic excuse for people to get together and acquire new fishing tips, and at the same time having a fantastic reason to take a mini holiday. As a matter of dact, some people speculate that angling is only a justification to travel and meet people! That being said, angling is still taken very seriously by a large number its enthusiasts and they’re prompted by the social aspect chiefly to learn more regarding fishing via swapping advice and tips with other people.

In the last decade or so, the web has genuinely assisted in the growth of the fishing communities - via Twitter, blogging etc, it’s now simple to organise or just attend a fishing competition or informal get-together, while exchanging tips and advice on blogs and forums.

And when it comes to angling equipment, the web has absolutely helped people in finding the most suitable rod, reel, tackle, carp bite alarms etc because these days they can equate with thousands of websites rather than simply being limited to their local fishing shop.

Nothing ruins the occasional fishing trip more than driving a long distance to your favorite spot, only to find out it’s been raining for the last few weeks and the water is the color of Chocolate milk! Many years ago, I was like most weekend anglers, and would immediately try to find another lake or river that might be a little more clear, or just turn around and go home. But I found over the last 20 years, that it isn’t necessary to give up so quickly on muddy water.

There are many times when a creek arm, or a certain portion of the lake or river isn’t as muddy, or there is a transition zone where it goes from muddy to stained, which can be a good area, but, even if there is no clearer water, there are many things you can do. Most gamefish react the same way to muddy water, they go shallow and they move closer to structure. This could mean a lot of different types of structure, such as brushpiles, laydowns, rocks, stump fields, pads on shallow flats, anything! When the bas are holding tight to cover, because of low visibility, the lure presentations sometimes need to be precise, such as when flipping a log or tree roots with a jig. Post any good bass fishing pictures that you get on FishingRecreation.com

Where do you go to fish for salmon or steelhead in the U.S.? The answer is undoubtedly simple and obvious. For salmon and steelhead you need to travel to the Northwest ranging from northern California all the way up to Alaska.
The salmon and steelhead species are plentiful in the pacific coastal waters, streams and rivers that have consistent water flow and provide an ideal habitat for the spawn. Typically there are 3 spawns a year in the spring, summer, and fall seasons.

The average size of salmon ranges from 8-11lbs. Sometimes you may observe larger fish that weigh in close to 40lbs in remote areas around the northwest coast. In Oregon you can catch large river Chinooks that weigh in as much as 50lbs along the lower Rogue River.

Salmon between the ages of 2-7 years will head to the river where they spawned. They will trek over 7000 miles in the ocean to reach their original spawning grounds. The Yukon River in Alaska is one of the longest river spawns spanning 2000 miles up river.

Over time these spawning grounds have diminished. Housing and commercial development have choked off a lot of the smaller streams with silt. Awareness of the situation has created a volunteer movement to clean up and restore the spawning grounds. To their credit salmon have repopulated in these damaged areas.
When you head off to start fishing be sure to be advised of regulations implemented in the area you plan to fish. Make sure you know the size and keeper limits. Possessing a proper license will ensure you aren’t fined.

Your preferred method of fishing may vary, however by researching the local scene and asking the local anglers will increase your success. Salmon and Steelhead provide some of the best fighting for young and old alike.

Blake Stoffregen writes for various websites including 4fishing.com a online fishing equipment store.