Originally written for and published on Hobbyist World
Though probably not as popular a pastime as it is in the West yet, angling slowly, but surely is gaining momentum in India, and also growing a tribe of converts that once thought fishing was not the most exciting. Which other sport offers you hours of tranquillity and reflection, while being in the great outdoors? Hobbyist World takes a dive into the aquatic world of anglers and tells you how best to get started.
How to get started
According to experienced anglers, it's important to have an expert accompany novices on their first few fishing trips. As there are regulations of where you can and cannot fish, an expert can help you by giving information that you wouldn’t find otherwise. The best places to start out are generally the lakes, river and oceans that are local to you, before treading unknown waters.
Where to fish
Different water bodies have different fish. Here’s a guide of freshwater fish and where you can find them:
Mahseer:
Mahseer is the most popular fish to catch in the country. It can be caught in Ramganga River, Uttarakhand; Kaveri River, Karnataka; Beas Ghat, Uttarakhand; Dakpathar, Yamuna; Ranikor, Meghalaya; Giri tributary of the Yamuna; Pancheshwar, Mahakali and Saryu rivers, Uttarakhand; Jia Bhoroli; Teesta, North Sikkim.
Trout:
Trouts in all their variants can be caught in Sangla Valley, Himachal Pradesh; Gulmarg, Kashmir; Manali, Himachal Pradesh; Tons & Pabbar tributaries of the Yamuna; Dakpathar, Yamuna; Jia Bhoroli.
Ocean fish can be caught in the Andamans and Lakshadweep Islands.
Equipment
You just need the basics: hook, line, sinker. Rods, reels, spears, nets, traps, tackle box, bait/lure (natural or artificial), generally do the trick. However, the specificity of the equipment and tackle depends on the type of fishing and the intended water body.
Bait/lure will depend on the water body and type of fishing- lure(artificial bait), live bait, dead bait.
Licences and permits
It is important to understand the need for any adventure sport to be regulated so it can be enjoyed rather than harm the fragile ecosystem, and for that precise reason, fishing permits are mandatory before you start any fishing trip. It is advisable to contact the tourism and fisheries department of the state in which you intend to go fishing or it could be you who gets caught rather than the fish.
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