| All the fishing tackle in the UK won't make you a | | | | your successes and your failures. The same goes |
| better angler. It doesn't matter whether you're | | | | for your fishing gear. Keep a good record of what |
| using fly fishing tackle, sea fishing tackle or coarse | | | | works and why. When you visit your local fishing |
| fishing tackle -- no amount of gear is going to | | | | tackle shop strike up conversations with the |
| give you the experience you need to catch those | | | | proprietor and with other customers. They can be |
| trophy fish. Here's a brief discussion of some of | | | | a wealth of information about fishing hot spots, |
| the intangibles necessary to transform yourself | | | | equipment and techniques. |
| from a good fisherman into a great one. | | | | Consider Specialising |
| Knowledge is Power | | | | If you limit your angling to one or two species of |
| Whether it's your technique or the habits of the | | | | fish, you'll be able to concentrate on learning about |
| fish you're stalking, you should always be willing to | | | | them in great depth. Another tactic is to |
| keep an open mind and to learn new methods, | | | | concentrate on one species in any given season. |
| tactics and approaches. One of the best ways to | | | | Each species requires a specific technique and a |
| do this is to read books and articles by top | | | | different type of fishing equipment. By cycling |
| anglers. Remember that these authors often have | | | | your specialisation, you'll eventually amass a |
| accumulated their expertise literally over decades. | | | | significant amount of knowledge about a broad |
| Reading and applying their advice and techniques | | | | range of fish species and how to land them. This |
| provides you with short cuts to experience that | | | | experience will give you the confidence to |
| otherwise might take you years to acquire. | | | | improvise when needed and to try new ideas to |
| Document Your Experience | | | | keep your technique fresh. |
| Log both your successes and your failures. This | | | | Although your fishing tackle is an important |
| will enable you to repeat good techniques and | | | | component of your success or failure as a UK |
| avoid bad ones. Carry a small notebook and | | | | angler, don't overlook other aspects such as |
| cultivate the habit of noting things like location, | | | | reading, keeping a log and specialisation that can |
| weather conditions and time of day -- any | | | | have a significant positive effect on your overall |
| information that may help you understand both | | | | technique. |