Introduction to Fishing

The act of fishing is almost as old as mankind itself. Early civilizations came into being next to rivers, lakes and stretches of coastline, not only because of the fertile soil that was there, but because of the fishing. The activity today for many has become more than a survival tool, it has become a sport. Although the waters of the earth are becoming more polluted and more and more overfished, anglers are not usually the cause. They venture far from waterways, and are often completely alone with nature, they fight one on one with some of the strongest and most incredible creatures on earth.

Fishing Basics

Most of the world, believe it or not, fishes only using a piece of rope and hook, no weights, luxury bait, rods, or rubber worms. Only one line and a hook. Sport fishing, meanwhile, has split off into different methods. In much of the western world, we know that fishing consists of a fishing rod, reel with a hook and a cork, they can be used offshore while standing on a ship, or at a dock. When the cork sinks into water, it means that you have a fish hooked and you have to start reeling it in. Easy. Something a bit more advanced and that can be considered more difficult is to get the cork and add a lure, that is, any number of little figures made from metal, rubber, plastic, shiny, shapes similar to fish food, these would be similar to different types of insects, these lures must be incorporated onto a hook.

There are many other types of fishing and what you do in each type often depends on the location and type of fish you want to catch. Deep fishing is usually from the back of a moving boat. A very strong, thick stick is established or subject to the stern and a line of bait is dragged into the water behind the boat. When a fish bites on the line the boat slows down, and the reels are rolled back in to catch the fish.

Fly fishing is an increasingly popular sport around the world. This method requires great skill and practice to launch the line, and not to snag the hook. This method is often used to capture varieties of trout and salmon in different rivers and streams. For this sport you need an artificial fly and a special fly fishing rod, both designed specifically for this sport. Underwater fishing is much less known, although the indigenous tribes often use more rustic ways. Most of the time underwater fishing as a sport is done with a small pistol, the shape of a cross-bow, which fires a small metal nozzle. The sport is much more difficult than it seems.

What to use as bait? Worms are the most common bait, while the different lures, flies and rubber worms come a strong second. What you should buy depends on your location and the species of fish you want to catch, because you must use something the fish like to eat. You can use pieces of meat or fish, shrimp, small fish, pieces of dough, insects, and a wide variety of artificial and organic items.

Fishing - Beginners

Due to the contamination of the world’s waters, areas suitable for fishing have decreased, almost everyone has some access to fishing near where they live. Beginners usually choose the canal or river that is nearest to home and don’t necessarily aim to catch large fish or specific species of fish, just any kind of fish that they can. Most beginners will use a typical fishing rod with cork and worm. Ponds or lakes that are heavily fished sometimes charge a small entrance fee and even provide rods and bait, such areas are popular with beginners, but they learn few or no skills that can help them progress in the sport.

Fishing - Advanced

Advanced anglers are the ones who can and do fishing trips to places far from where they live, because they know they are better and less used for fishing, and live to catch specific fish. These experts tend to invest heavily in rods and baits. These anglers are willing to make big sacrifices to catch a prized fish. Bass are the fish of choice for more experienced anglers. Fish are known for their struggle and resistance. With regard to deep sea fishing marlin is the best bet and provides one of the most exciting sporting adventures around the world. Fish are very powerful and experts can take hours to get them into the pot, often several people are needed to help turn the reel.

Fishing Licenses

Many places around the world, require a license. In general, it is only a small certificate that you can buy at any fishing store for a small fee that goes to organizations that help preserve the fishing grounds.

Restricted Waters

Many nations have protected waters and marine reserves where fishing is illegal to allow species to breed and to protect rare fish and marine life. Fines are very high in most cases. In general, the areas are well marked, but you should check on your own through a local map anyway to be sure. You should not even think about fishing here.

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Preparing for your fishing trip

Fishing Training

There are many who swear that fishing is just a game of luck, but that's not quite true. Luck plays an important role in fishing, it is true, but only a small role. Operating the equipment, bait, hook and knowledge of land and the species to be fished is essential to make a good job of fly fishing or otherwise. Any idiot can throw a line, but it takes skill and wisdom to improve. This is exactly why the local fishermen who have fished the same waters and often the same species all their lives are as valuable as guides. They know where the fish are going to be at what time of day they regularly bite, how deep they are and what the favorite bait of each fish is.

Fishing courses, in general, for fly fishing, are often offered by tour operators and professionals. In these training sessions they will teach you the proper techniques for the sport. For other methods, the best practice is just to go fishing and learn alone.

Fishing Equipment

Although you can fish with very little - just a line, hook and bait - there are thousands of types of equipment with thousands of different parts available for anglers.

Fishing Rod – Is one of the most important elements of fishing, unless of course you are fishing on a submarine. There are varieties of rods, which particularly depend on the type of fishing you plan to do. A cheap rod, for amateur fishing can be purchased at any department or sporting goods store, but this will not be able to handle large fish or any serious fishing trip. The majority of other rods are very specific. Some are designed for fly fishing, bass fishing, ocean fishing, marlin fishing, and even crab fishing. Collapsible plastic compartments for rods are needed for transport or boarding planes.

Fishing tackle box - The tackle box is for anglers, the equipment for their tools and accessories. It holds everything you need for fishing except the rod. Many fishing tackle boxes have been passed down from generation to generation and are full of timeless items that were used for fishing in the past and serve as fishing memories.

Hooks - The hook was recently named by Forbes as one of the top 20 inventions of mankind. Hook size depends on the size of the fish you want to fish. They usually come in packs and are made in different shapes, metals and weights.

Decoys - The decoy is an important part of the tackle box of any advanced angler. The decoy can be rubber, plastic, metal or an element made from fabric with one or more hooks that acts as bait and is really a magnet for aquatic life. Different fish are attracted to different things: some to bright colors, some to shiny objects that resemble the scales of a fish, and others to false worms and insects.

Line - The line will break in the rod. It gets stuck in the sticks and stones and snaps because the fish that are too heavy, but most of the reels have enough line to withstand a lot of fishing. The replacement of a line depends on the type of fishing you plan to do. The lines vary in strength, thickness and color.

Net - If fishing is done from a boat, having a net is a good idea. Once the fish is attracted near to the boat, you or a friend can lift it up with the net to the boat and then successfully remove the hook from its mouth more easily.

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Fishing in Chile

You can enjoy fishing virtually anywhere in Chile. There is a wide selection of specialized lodges ranging from very simple to luxurious rooms with several "all inclusive" days. While there are some perfect places for fly fishing, spinning and trolling techniques are also popular. Just choose your favorite and choose a destination.

Patagonia is known worldwide for its beauty and quality of its fish. You'll find lots of lakes and rivers offering excellent accessible fishing in places like the Seno de Reloncaví (near Puerto Montt), Lake Yelcho Puyuhuapi and outside of Coyhaique in northern Patagonia.

The area is also home to the famous Simpson and Baker rivers and countless fishing fully equipped lodges. The Baker River is the largest and has a series of pools and islands where fishermen can prepare themselves. Some hostels offer seaplane services to help clients reach areas that are full of trout. In southern Patagonia, Torres del Paine has more to offer than its beautiful landscapes. It also has fishing spots like the Serrano River, which is surrounded by woods and has a breathtaking view of the Paine Massif and has a number of different species of salmon. Lake Toro and Laguna Escondida, are also good for fishing.

Anglers will also find plenty to do in the Araucanía. Only a little over 150 km from Temuco, you will find in Lonquimay a small community surrounded by strategic fly-fishing rivers areas including Lonquimay and the Rahu and Gallagtué rivers and the lagoons.

A little further south near Valdivia is Folilco, an area known for its crystal clear and healthy water, with a population of large trout. Other places of choice include the Aires river and Ranco and Rupanco lakes and a series of small rivers near Puerto Varas, and Lake Llanquihue.

At the southern end of the continent, on the island of Tierra del Fuego, the Grande River is considered the best in the world to fish for brown trout and attracts fans from around the world.

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Chile Fly Fishing

In Chile, particularly in the Coyhaique area, you will find an incredible variety of places to practice fly fishing on offer. This place has different waters and scenery, from small spring streams in the dry pampas to large rivers in the temperate rainforests. And all this within a 50 kilometers radius of Coyhaique. Of course, it also offers a huge diversity of fishing, from small dry flies to large Chernobyl ants  and grasshoppers; from large streamers to small nymphs.

Fly fishing in this area aims at Rainbow and brown trout, and although the sector does not focus on salmon fishing, you may unwittingly catch a large silver salmon or king salmon in some of the various waters of this place.

Fly fishing season in Chile

The fly fishing season in Chile runs from the second Friday of October to the first Sunday in May.

October / November: The glaciers are not melting, however, this is why it is a great period of fly fishing in glacier-fed rivers, while they flow small and clear. Good examples are the Baker, Blanco and Paloma rivers. The spring creeks are also at their best, with the flows of water and fish that have not seen an imitation in months.

December / January: Some lakes offer a good opportunity for fly-fishing trips such as the Elizalde and Azul Lakes, and some others not mentioned here (there are several, one must ask the guides). The Simpson, Mañihuales, Aysén Ñirehuao and Huemules Rivers begin to take shape.

February / March: The mayfly begins to emerge in the Simpson River and Frío Lake, grasshoppers in Ñirehuao and Huemules and caddis also start to come out at night on Lake Pollux. It is the best time for dry fly fishing.

April / May: autumn is here. The days are shorter and colder in the morning. Lenga trees are turning red, while the mountain peaks turn white. It's the most wonderful time of year, the rivers are very small and there are mayflies active throughout the day.

The average fish size

This will depend largely on your goals. In the points described above, you can get a good balance between size and quantity. The average fish will be between 16 and 18 inches, with plenty of opportunities for fish measuring up to 24 inches.

But if you enjoy seeing a lot of action on the surface, fishing in small streams like Emperador Guillermo or Coyhaique, where the average size is 12 to 14 inches with occasional 18 to 22 inch fish.

On the other hand, if you want to catch big fish on the surface, fishing in the Lakes: Las Ardillas, El Alto, Tamango and Los Juncos. This with Chernobyl ants, where the average is 20 to 24 inches, with the possibility of up to 28 ".

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