1. Do I really need the fancy equipment?
All you really need is some basic equipment to get started — a rod, a reel in good working condition and a fly or natural bait. With some instruction and a little patience, you’ll be hooked in no time!

2. Is one kind of fishing better than another?
If you are wondering if one kind of fishing is better than another kind of fishing, the answer is no. Flyfishing and spin fishing use different equipment and casting methods, but both are excellent ways to catch a fish. Spin fishing might be better suited for some budding anglers, because the equipment is easier to use. Both types of fishing are a great way to spend an exciting day outdoors learning about the amazing animal species that live there.

3. What if I want to keep my fish?
If your state and the rules of the place you’re fishing say it’s okay, then you can keep the fish that you catch. Rivers and lakes have always provided food and survival for humans and animals alike. A good way to keep your dinner and help protect fish is to only keep what you are going to eat. Consider taking a photograph of the larger fish you catch, and letting them go. Keeping bigger fish healthy helps the entire fish population because they lay many more eggs during the spawn — and more eggs usually mean more fish!

4. Who can I go fishing with?
Fishing is a sport that a lot of different people enjoy and an ideal way to connect with your family and friends. A relative or family friend would probably be eager to share their knowledge and love for fishing with an enthusiastic young person. Also, there are school and community programs available that offer camps and instruction. You can start by contacting your local chapter of Trout Unlimited, your state’s fish, wildlife or recreation department for more information. 

5. Where can I get more information about fishing?
Our friends at the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation (RBFF) have some great, detailed information at their website.  Our friends at Orvis have a great online Fly Fishing Learning Center.  Check it out!


6. What can I do out of season?
The end of fishing season doesn’t mean the end of the fun! Fly-tying is an inventive activity you can do all year round, day or night. Try practicing your fly-casting technique outdoors, or indoors if you have access to a large space. Attend a presentation about fishing at your local TU chapter meeting. Visit local fly shops, fishing equipment manufacturers, sportsmen’s shows or a hatchery. Plan a camping of hiking trip to a nearby lake or river, or scout a new fishing location. You will be amazed by what you can learn about fishing and the natural world without even casting a line into the water.

7. What else can I do outside?
Don’t just sit there, get outside and make your own fun! Go hiking or explore your own backyard. Take a closer look at the bugs, plant life and animals that live there. Turning over a rock will often reveal a whole new world. Attend outdoor camps to learn about nature. Find out what you can do to help keep streams healthy like replanting trees near streams, or joining in local clean-up projects throughout the year. Kids can make a difference! Look at some ideas in our GET ACTIVE pages!

Do you have a question you want to ask?  Submit it here.