Why I Prefer Fresh Water Fishing

by Ian Botham

For a lot of people, ocean fishing is the ultimate thrill. You see, nowadays more people grow up around lakes and rivers than around the ocean. Freshwater fishing is something that we all take for granted. With most lakes and rivers, you can stand on the shore, wade out in the water, or even take a boat with relative safety. The ocean, however, means adventure. The biggest freshwater fish don't compare to some of those monsters they have in the ocean, and even some of the worst storms on the great lakes are nothing compared to how things can get on the ocean when the weather turns rotten. Ocean fish often have lower concentrations of mercury and other contaminants, making them safer to eat in large quantities than many freshwater fish. Nonetheless, for my money, freshwater fishing is still a better activity. Nothing in the world beats it.

Of course, I might be a little bit sentimental because of how I was raised. You might say that freshwater fishing is in my blood. My father was an excellent fly fisherman, and in fact he made a lot of money giving fly fishing tours and selling gear to both locals and tourists from out of town. Although we were taught to look down on line fishing, we still did a fair amount from time to time. Flyfishing is great, but there is so much variety to freshwater fishing that it is a shame to limit yourself to just one activity. Although the actual fishing isn't exactly as exciting, lake fishing still has some advantages over fishing in a stream. There is nothing like spending a day out on the water, casting off again and again from a boat as the waves gently rock you.

One of the greatest things about freshwater fishing is that you don't need an expert to guide you. If you are going fishing in the ocean, you definitely need some expert advice. Just staying safe can be difficult on the ocean! With small lakes and rivers, by contrast, the worst you will do is not catch any fish. And while things look more or less the same once you are out on the ocean, every mile of a lake or river is different. When you go on a freshwater fishing trip, you have an opportunity to seem some of the best scenery anywhere. And all that while catching delicious fish!

About the Author
Ian Botham runs his own online sports goods mail order business as well as several sports related websites. Check out these great Fishing Guide advice or the more specific