The Angle: Learning to Fish is Easier Than Ever

Fishing is an age-old sport that has been passed down from generation to generation. But for those that grew up before the age of widespread magazines, books and tv shows, the education came from Grandpa, a friend or a neighbor. Magazines like Salmon Trout Steelheader, started by Oregonian Frank Amato, of Clackamas Oregon, gave a specific perspective for Oregon anglers looking to catch salmon, trout and steelhead. Books and magazines opened the door to widespread knowledge and the dissemination of fishing techniques to better entice these fish.
The internet brings a whole new level of information. Kids, adults, families and even elderly people are discovering enormous numbers of tips and techniques thanks to all of the videos and articles online. As a result, the people fishing for salmon, steelhead and trout in the Northwest are more effective than ever, armed with modern tackle that works expertly for each technique.
But where does one start? If you’re looking to develop a passion for fishing, there are a number of ways to find productive fishing spots and learn how to rig certain tackle. First, by doing some simple research online, you can find rivers and lakes near you. Take a look at Google maps and look for larger bodies of water close by. Then search for fishing information about that lake or river. Although some results will be really general and not offer much information, you may also find some ultra-informative articles about how to fish that particular water and what gear to use.
If you’ve at least found a place to fish, and what species are in it, you can start to search for articles about techniques and tackle to catch those species. Timing and weather are also very important, so try to find information about peak fishing time periods.
The massive amount of video content that YouTube has on fishing would take several lifetimes to understand. In the Northwest, channels like Addicted Fishing go over virtually every single technique to catch common Oregon and Washington fish species. Steelhead and salmon fishermen can find a treasure trove of information just from following Addicted, Salmon Trout Steelheader and other online fishing content outlets.
Now don’t get me wrong, there is nothing better than having a friend that knows how to fish a river effectively and learning directly from them. They will have a track record of finding fish, and if you follow their lead and try to learn every detail of their technique, you’ll have an elevator ride to success. For those that do not have someone around with that ability, they still can find amazing success through research and spending time on the water.
Always research everything you can in order to give yourself the best chance at fish. If you still don’t catch a fish, don’t get discouraged. Fishing is not the easiest sport in the Northwest due to our weather and fish stocks, but if you stick with it, you keep fishing and you keep learning? Well, don’t be surprised if it becomes your all-time favorite outdoor activity!