Angling and fishing is a popular outdoor activity, especially for families with older children. India offers many exciting options for all types of fishing and angling holidays with its plethora of lakes, rivers and ponds -K.P. Malini

Activities en famille provide opportunities to families to bond and build strong relationships. In particular nature-centred outdoor activities destress and rejuvenate adults and children alike. Angling aka fishing is a popular outdoor family activity, especially for families with older children. India with its plethora of lakes, rivers and ponds, offers many exciting options for all types of angling holidays. The country’s diverse range of water bodies from the Northern Himalayan snow-fed valley streams to the glorious backwaters of Kerala in the South provide great opportunities for exploring this outdoor sport.

The best angling locales in India are in Ramganga (Corbett Park), Kosi and Pancheshwar rivers in Uttarakhand; Mandil, Dhamvari and Chirgaon rivers in Himachal Pradesh; Bhalukpong and Tipi in Arunachal Pradesh; and Jia Boroli river in Assam. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Karnataka, Kerala, and Lakshwadeep also offer excellent options.

“Fishing is fast becoming a popular outdoor activity with a rising number of urban families heading out to lakes and rivers during weekends,” says Arun Joseph Kumar, proprietor of Fishing Tackles, Bangalore. “About five years back, we were the sole retailers selling fishing gear and tackles in the garden city, but now there are at least a dozen and several hundred online. To meet the demand we have also started organising fishing expeditions. An overnight fishing trip for a family of three is priced at Rs.8,000 including accommodation, fishing license, tent, food, water, and fishing lessons while day tours cost Rs.3,000,” says Kumar who is all set to inaugurate a unique fishing camp project on Lake Kalkera on the outskirts of Bangalore. “It’s a Survival Fishing Camp to be conducted on weekends where children will be taught fishing basics and skill-sets to survive in the wild,” he adds.

Techniques, equipment, etc

The leisure sport popularly known as fishing mandates the learning of different techniques such as hand gathering, spearfishing, netting, angling and trapping. The practice of catching or attempting to catch fish with a hook is angling. In angling, it is expected that fish are returned to the water (catch and release). Recreational fishermen usually log their catches or participate in fishing competitions. The most common form of recreational fishing requires expertise with the rod, reel, line, hooks and wide range of baits or lures such as artificial flies.
Fishing tackle is a term that encompasses all equipment or gear used when fishing. The tackle attached to the end of a fishing line is the terminal tackle. This includes hooks, sinkers, floats, leaders, swivels, split rings and wire, snaps, beads, spoons, blades, spinners and devices to attach spinner blades to fishing lures. People also tend to use dead or live fish as forms of bait.

The four basic types of fishing rods and reels are the spinning, spin-casting, bait-casting and fly-casting rods. Spinning rods and reels are very popular because they’re easy to use, facilitate long casts with light lures, and are inexpensive. However tackles can be quite expensive to purchase and maintain.

Comments Thomas Mathew, sports leader at the Decathlon sports store, Kozhikode: “A fishing expedition is not very expensive, because most equipment is supplied by holiday organisers. Moreover with fishing becoming popular in India, it’s easy for fishing enthusiasts and anglers to buy gear from sports and specialised stores. At Decathlon we manage a whatsapp group for anglers where regular updates are given on fishing expeditions and competitions. The post-monsoon months are the peak season for angling. I would recommend a good fishing rod made of carbon and graphite to reel in small and large fish.”

Fishing primer

Here are some guidelines to make the most of a family fishing/angling expedition:

• Wear comfortable clothing. Watertight waders (or chest waders) and jacket are essential. You could also use a re-proofing spray to improve the water repellance of your jacket.

• It is prudent to take good care of your tackle after each fishing expedition.

• Your (usually nylon) fishing line connects you to fish in water. Its condition should be checked regularly to avoid line twists and damaged sections. The surface of the line should be smooth but it may have rubbed against branches or rocks suffering damage. These sections should be replaced. Whatever the type of line, make sure that you have enough of it on your spool, so that your casts are the best they can be.

• Hooks can be rigged, unrigged, triple or single. Traces of oxidation or rust on the hooks should be sand-papered immediately. The barbs of the hooks should be checked and sharpened regularly. Replace any worn-out or doubtful hooks.

• Rinsing a reel in soft water after every use and drying with a microfiber cloth is helpful. Yearly maintenance by applying few drops of lubricants is necessary.

• After several fishing trips, the rod is likely to accumulate dirt (dust, soil, sand, bait). Rinse it in fresh water after each expedition. Leave the rod overnight in a warm room to dry it completely.

• Check all fittings before the start of a fishing expedition.

Fishing gear suppliers

Sea Star Fish Aquariums
7/22, Main Road, West Patel Nagar, Delhi 11 0008
Ph: 9152463289
www.seastaraqrium.in

Top Gear Fishing
Mallet Bunder Road, Shop No.18, New BPT Building, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400009
Ph: 096196 42004
www.topfishinggear.in

King Fish
No. 36, S.N Chetty Street, Royapuram, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600013
Ph: 090807 07673

Fishing Tackle Store
M.D.R Complex, 2nd Floor, 7th B Main, 80ft Road, Subbanapalya, Dodda Banaswadi, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560033
Ph: 1800 419 7118
www.fishingtackles.in