For newcomers to fishing

Press, 28 January 1986, Page 29

For newcomers to fishing

Fishing may seem a daunting sport to the uninitiated, and the range of rods, reels and hooks can seem bewildering to the hopeful beginner. If you want to give it a go, you will probably need more than a stick, a bit of line and a worm. A fishing specialist at a sports shop should be able to help you out. The managing director of Cromb and Merritt Sports, Mr David Denton, said that it is essential to get good advice when buying equipment

“A fisherman in a sports shop would be able to do so. As well as having a keen interest In the sport, it is his job to know the equipment” he said. About $lOO is the sum that will purchase reasonable equipment. This includes a rod, reel and line that a person will be satisfied with, said Mr Denton.

The spinning reel is most important. If it works well, then fishing is more satisfying, he said. Of course, there is more to fishing than just equipment — being able to cast well and read the water is important, but these are skills which people learn with time and practice. The New Zealand Salmon Anglers Association held a fishing school in November at McLeans

Island, on the Waimakariri River, which was most successful. Topics included the life cycle of salmon, general conservation principles, river safety, equipment and choosing a good place to fish.

This year, a four-day salmon-fishing course will be held at Lincoln College and on Canterbury’s salmon rivers on February 17 to 21. The course is open to everyone and is designed to help people enjoy fishing. It will be particularly valuable for beginners, “unlucky” fishermen, the newly retired, and anyone wishing to improve their fishing skills and know-: ledge. The programme is planned to include at least one lecture, one practical instructional session, and a river fishing session on each full day of the course.

The only prerequisite for the course is a fishing licence for the 1985-86 season.

The course covers fishing dangers, water safety, first aid; casting technique; when and where to fish; fish identification; how to hook, play and land fish; and visits to salmon farms.

Also river fishing — gorge, downstream and mouth; a fishing competition; laws and regulations; societies and associations; the life cycle of salmon; weather, river and tide reports; and equipment and tackle. The course director is the recreation officer at Lincoln College, Mr Sam Leary. The tutors include a variety of people experienced in the fishing industry. Registration forms are available from sports shops. It is cheaper to register before February 1.