Peak District cottages offer the perfect getaway from the hurly burly of modern life, and there are so many beautiful properties that you will be spoilt for choice.

Dove Cottage is situated overlooking the River Dove, which is well known for its brown and rainbow trout and grayling fishing. Godfrey Hole Cottage is closer to Carsington Water, one of the reservoirs in the area, and has not only a fishery but also a variety of water-sports for those days when nothing seems to be biting. Rachel’s Croft is a tranquil limestone cottage on a working farm, and is just minutes away from some prime fishing locations

Although it is wise to get yourself a licence if you are a regular fisherman (or woman of course), many of the lakeside fisheries offer day, afternoon or seasonal passes, perfect for part-time anglers or first-timers. Also available for the more experienced angler is something called the ‘Peak Passport’ – this allows you to fish in wilder areas of rivers without being confined to the tourist fishing sections.

Whether an experienced angler on the look-out for new challenges, or a first-time fisherman wishing for some supervised sport, the Peak District is the ideal location for a short break or holiday.

Located in the Loire Valley, Ultimate Lake is an eleven and a half acre lake near the town of Gorron. This lake has been redone in recent years and filled with lots of healthy carp for fishing. There is a lodge with cooking facilities, cabins, TV, and dartboards. This is a place where you can find a relaxing atmosphere in a tranquil wooded area. Loire Valley camping is an ideal way to spend your holiday and enjoy all its fishing venues.

Lac de Laneuville in the Champagne region offers fishermen several kinds of carp as well as coarse fish and catfish. This fishing spot is ideal for people looking to do a little more than just fish on their fishing vacation. Lac de Laneuville is just minutes from Montier-en-Der and Lac du Der. Both of these areas have dining options such as bars and restaurants, and Lac du Der also has beaches, ice-cream shops and opportunities for taking part in water sports.

The Smallwater Lake and the Smallwater Lodge Lake are two privately owned lakes near a quiet Landais village. Anglers who go there do not need fishing licenses and they offer a tutorial to amateur fisherman. Smallwater Lakes are perfect for fishermen who are just starting out. In the water you will find carp, bass, perch, and bream. The accommodations include a wooden lake-side chalet, a fishing lodge, and a three-bedroom house. These lakes are within easy driving distance of some beautiful beaches and the Pyrenees Mountains where people can hike and mountain bike in the summer and ski in the winter.

In the Bretagne region, you will find Beausoleil, a four acre lake with carp weighing up to fifty pounds and catfish weighing up to an amazing ninety-five pounds. The accommodations here are a private house that holds up to four people. Because there are no other places to stay, visitors get full use of the lake to themselves. Beausoleil is near Laval and Vitre, two historic towns with many attractions. Also nearby are several more lakes, rivers, forests and valleys. This is the spot for a nature-lover’s vacation.

France has many options for your fishing holiday. There are so many lakes and areas to choose from that you are sure to find exactly the kind of holiday you are looking for.

This is a sponsored post from Thomson Al Fresco – for more information please visit: http://www.thomsonalfresco.co.uk/

Here are a few tips we have put together to help you make the most of your fishing holiday:

1. You will need a fishing license before you can fish any water in the UK. These are available online so you can purchase them before your visit.
2. Prepare for all weathers. The weather can change all the time here as it is known for its unpredictable weather.
3. Always check the rules of where you are going fishing. Each venue will have its own rules so make sure you follow them.

Carp fishing is absolutely massive here in the UK and in the past few years it has definitely become the main type of fishing. This is due to the large size that the carp can grow to and the fight that they give you. No other fish in the UK grows to this size. There are many fisheries now that have been built specifically for Carp and this attracts many anglers from all over Europe. I’ll be honest; I don’t know any other country that has become so obsessed with Carp fishing. In Australia the Carp is treated as a pest and if you catch one you are now allowed to return it to the water, but over here in the UK it is definitely our favorite fish to catch. People used to go over to France to fish for Carp but in the past 10 years or so more people are looking to stay in the UK for their fishing holidays.

Here are some of the top places we recommend if it is Carp that you want to catch during your holiday:

1. Docklow Pools – I have fished here a lot and my dad goes here every year on holiday. They have plenty of lakes which contain massive Carp and plenty of other fish to keep everyone happy.
2. Anglers Paradise – The name says it all really! It is a fantastic fishing complex with all different sorts of holiday homes available to rent on site.
3. Waveney Valley Lakes – Plenty of accommodation including static caravans with Carp up to 39lb in weight and Catfish up to 52lb

Now I know I have talked a lot about Carp fishing which is mainly done in lakes but there are also many great rivers that should not be forgotten about. Here are a few of our top rivers that we would recommend trying:

1. The River Avon – One of the most picturesque rivers I have fished. It is known for producing quality Barbel and Chub.
2. The River Thames – The largest river in England. This once suffered from pollution but is now fast becoming known for its amazing fishing. If you are staying in the London area then it is worth giving it a try
3. The River Test – Located in Hampshire, is the perfect place to try your hand at fly fishing.

Being from England myself I have had some of my best fishing holiday’s right here in my own country. So if you have not been fishing in the UK before it is definitely a place I would recommend trying. The best times to visit are probably between April and September as this is when you are likely to get the best weather and really enjoy your stay.

When choosing fishing clothing for a trip, space is quite important to consider, and depending on the style of fishing it is sometimes important to wear fairly light garments in order to have a good range of movement when casting. Pockets are useful to keep lures and bait close so you don’t have to make constant trips to the tackle box.

Something that breathes well is very nice to have for when the sun is beaming down but the bugs are out. Clothing that can save your skin from insect bites and sunburns but also allows excess moisture to get out, is a lifesaver on a long fishing trip. High quality fishing clothing can be picked up relatively cheaply on the internet or at specialist high street shops, and is a worthwhile investment if you take fishing to a level beyond just a hobby.

If you are out on a hunting trip, different types of game require different styles of clothing and functionality in order to make your trip a success.

For small game, like ducks or pheasant, it is important that you have a vest or coat with a good amount of pockets to store your tools and equipment. Shooting clothing should not only be lightweight but also have ample space to carry enough ammo and supplies for your time out hunting.

It can be a bit draining to have to take a ton of gear with you on a hunt for small game, and seeing as the majority of pheasant hunting is done while walking it is very important to have nice light clothing that can pack a fair amount of gear. Keeping ready and agile will allow you the opportunity to take shots and have a great day hunting.

For larger game it is important to consider the method in which you are hunting. Bow hunters generally like a lighter material with less bulk and little snaps or extras. Anything that can impede you on your gear from drawing a bow could result in a missed shot or a bad draw. Some even prefer to get hunting clothes a bit on the loose side so they can easily draw the bow back and not get their elbow stuck on snug fitting sleeves.

For rifle and gun hunters it is important to make sure that you are able to draw a weapon and not have it snag anywhere on your gear to prevent misfiring. Having ample space to hold spare ammunition, calls and supplies is important as well. Shooting jackets are designed with this in mind, so garments are durable, light-weight, and have many pockets to store your ammo, and your tools.

The method in which you hunt and the geographical location in which you hunt is very important to the hunting gear you choose as well. If you are used to sitting in a blind in cold weather you may want to pick gear with an insulating lining in order to keep all the heat inside of your gear. Even while stationary you can stay warm with the right lining. Alternately if you are used to tracking game through tough brush in hotter temperatures, you may want to pick out a liner that breathes, with pants that will protect your legs from the heavy brushes and scratches.

If you are looking to purchase some new clothing to enhance your trip, hunting clothing is available from Ray Mears’ website, and he has a really fantastic range of hunting clothes for men which are recommended by fellow hunters and trackers.

We jetted out from Gatwick and enjoyed a smooth flight all the way over to Miami. When we landed my dad said he had a surprise for me, which turned out to be a rented convertible car for our stay. It was just amazing to have the top down and cruise through the streets of Miami to our hotel, which was located right on Ocean Drive, within a few meters of the white sandy beach. We got ourselves settled in and then decided to get ourselves out into the urban landscape and check out the local scene. Although we felt a bit shattered from the flight and the time difference, we managed to stay awake until a reasonable time, and had a few drinks at one of the great beach-side bars that line the bustling street of Ocean Drive. We enjoyed the high quality street entertainment that a local man provided whilst we sat drinking our cold beer in the mellow heat of the early evening, and were wowed by his pretty spectacular magic routine. We retired to the hotel, and spent the next few days exploring the local area, and heading over to a couple of the malls that were close by.

The food that we ate at the local restaurants was superb, with my favourite meal being the most wonderful seafood paella, which boasted ingredients that were caught by the local fishermen that very day. The taste, texture and aroma of the meal was sublime, and one that I hope I will be able to have again one day if I manage to return to Miami.

On our third day of our holiday we woke up very early and checked out of the hotel and set off in the car on a south bound road trip. We had planned before heading to Miami to visit Key West, which is the southern-most island in the Florida Keys, and home to some of the most beautiful scenery that I have ever seen. We spent about five hours cruising down to the Keys, with the sun shining down on us, and my pre-made compilation CD’s playing on the stereo. At that moment life was absolutely great, me and dad having a great laugh as we talked about all manner of things. Things got a little painful when we arrived in Key West, and we stepped into our new hotel; my dad removed his baseball cap and his sunglasses, and I immediately started howling with laughter – a quarter of his face was bright red from where he had been driving on a steadily bending road which caused the sun to purely hit one section of his cheek! The sunburn caused his skin to start weeping it was so bad, but my amusement was short lived, as I realised that my sun lotion application skills had been a little shoddy, therefore one slither of my upper arm was burnt so badly that I had to apply aloe vera for three hours solid to ease the pain!

Sunburn aside, we took a walk down to the harbour wall, where you can watch the sun dipping down below the horizon, whilst hundreds of locals and visitors alike holler and whoop at this spectacular natural display of light and colour. The sky was awash with the most brilliant reds, oranges, and pinks, that it almost felt like a dream to stand and witness it.

Whilst we were walking around looking for a good restaurant to eat at, we spotted a guy mooring up a fishing boat in the marina, and we got chatting to him and telling him that we were visiting the area for a couple of days. He was a really nice and friendly guy, and after a good chat with him, he offered to give us a reduced price on a fishing excursion for some deep sea fishing the next day. Seeing as both myself and my dad love to do a spot of fishing, we said yes immediately, and next morning found ourselves sailing out of the marina and into the sapphire blue waters of the Gulf of Mexico.

We were about six miles out when we cast anchor and started to do some fishing. Now a quick word to the wise and a warning for those of you who might, like me, believe it to be a good idea to consume several chocolate bars and a can of coke before you set out to sea – don’t do it. Sure, the other fishermen on board appreciated my tactics for attracting more fish and sea life to the boat, but it comes at the price of feeling slightly worse for wear for a couple of hours!

After recovering from my episode, I began fishing properly, standing alongside my dad and enjoying the pretty consistent catching of yellowtail, triggerfish, grouper, and mackerel. Between us, my dad and I caught around 40 fish that day, all of which were stored in the on board ‘fish fridge’. After about six hours out on the water, and having settled my stomach with a few well deserved cold beers, we headed back to the marina, and called it a day. It was one of the greatest trips that I’ve ever taken, and re-ignited my enthusiasm for the serenity, and the excitement that only fishing can bring. I have been so inspired by the fishing we did that day that I have invested in some new fishing clothing for trips out to some local fishing spots back at home, and my dad has even brought himself a new rod, and a really snazzy sports rucksack to put all of his gear in when he goes out.

I think it is true when the movies show a father and son going out on a fishing trip together and they are seen to be bonding and having a great time, because that is exactly what happened with my father and I, and I hope that we can enjoy many more days like the one in the Gulf of Mexico.

What Is The Lake District?

The Lake District, for the uninitiated, is a very popular holiday spot in Cumbria that is famous not only for great fishing, but also for the many mountains and fells in the National Park.  It has been an inspiration to many famous poets such as William Wordsworth.

There are only a few major settlements within the Lake District, with the four largest being Keswick, Bowness-on-Windermere, Windermere, and Ambleside.  While there are several towns that are right on the boundary of the Lake District, we chose to rent a weekend holiday cottage inside of the park for better and faster access to the many lakes inside.  No matter where you choose to stay in the Lake District, you will find an abundance of places to stay, but none with quite the same feel and charm of a Lake District rental cottage.

What to Fish For

While the Lake District is well known for its diverse wildlife, our primary concern was the fishing.  Our first stop upon setting out from our cosy holiday cottage was to Bassenthwaite Lake, which is the largest lake in the Lake District.  There are many different species of fish in Bassenthwaite Lake, including salmon, trout, perch, minnows, pike, roach and eel.  There are also some very uncommon and even endangered fish species in the Lake District, such as the vendace, which can only be found in Derwent Water  and Bassenthwaite Lake, though some people say that the vendace have been extinct in Bassenthwaite Lake since 2001.

Because of the different rare and endangered fish in the Lake District, in 2002 the use of any species of freshwater fish as bait – either live bait or dead bait – was banned in fourteen of the Lake District’s lakes since the introduction of a non native species would put great risk to the existing endangered species.

There is nothing like being out on the water fishing with your mates, and this holiday was no exception.  We had no problem getting early starts since the weekend holiday cottage we rented was right nearby most of the lakes we wanted to visit, so getting onto the water before dawn and watching the sunrise over the many picturesque mountains surrounding us was an amazing experience and one I would certainly recommend to just about everyone.  Even if you don’t like fishing, you still owe it to yourself to get a Lake District rental cottage and spend some time in this beautiful part of England so you can see what inspired Wordsworth.

Hoxne Farm

Sheriff Hutton Road, Strensall, York, North Yorkshire Offering holiday accommodation as well as good fishing, the lake at Hoxne Farm, Strenshall, is well stocked with roach, perch, carp and tench. It’s open all year and day tickets cost from £7. The fish in the lake range in size from 1.5lb roach to 20lb carp. Use waggler or feeder tactics in this lake to maximise catch rate. The lake also has easy access for disabled anglers.

Oaktree Leisure Angling

Tollerton Rd, Huby, York, North Yorkshire Match fishing and pleasure angling both take place in these four canal-style lakes, each roughly 12.5 metres wide. The fish include carp up to 20lb, orfe, chub and rudd and the lakes are available for club bookings. Open all year, day tickets costing £5 are available for pleasure anglers with the water also offering good access for disabled anglers. Rules include no keep nets or unsupervised children under 12 and only barbless hooks are allowed. No dogs are permitted and there is no night fishing.

Pool Bridge Farm Lakes

Pool Bridge Farm, Crockey Hill, York, North Yorkshire You can catch mirror carp up to 30lb, 8lb plus chub or tench, perch and dace in these five established and quiet lakes. Man-made, the lakes range in depth between 2 and 12 feet, offering good fishing to pleasure anglers or match fishing enthusiasts alike. As with many fisheries, all fish must be returned to the water and keep nets used only during matches. Day tickets for this fishery are available at a cost of £7 for one rod and can be bought from the cafe or ticket kiosk. Concessions are available for children and OAPs. The lakes are open all year round between 7:30 am and either dusk or 9pm, whichever is earliest.

Elvington Lake

Wheldrake Lane, Elvington, near York, North Yorkshire.

Converted from a small brickworks and now established for over 35 years, the fishing lake at Elvington covers roughly 2.5 acres and is surrounded by trees that provide shady areas where anglers can fish the margins. Some of the pegs are accessible by wheelchair, although prior booking for these sites is recommended. Fish stocked in the lake include catfish up to 52lb and tench up to 10lb, as well as bream and carp. Day-fishing prices are £6 for one rod or £7 for two rods. Use only barbless hooks. No groudbait or keep nets for carp allowed.

Rod Licences

Everyone over the age of 12 needs a fishing permit to fish in UK waters. Licences are available through the post office, online or directly by phone. In 2011, prices ranged from £3.75 for a day licence to £27 for full-season licence. All licences expire at the end of March, regardless of the time of year they were bought and must be renewed for the following season.

Keen anglers will regale you for hours about the one that got away, how relaxing it is being alone on a riverbank, or how satisfying it is to catch your own supper. Getting a child interested in fishing can be a very rewarding experience but it will take time and patience because, quite frankly, sitting in silence waiting for a fish to bite is not part of a child’s natural psyche.

Kids love to tag along, if they see someone getting ready to go somewhere they want to go to. If a child sees you regularly getting you fishing gear together and asks to come along let them, it is much better they go because they want to rather than be forced along.

Bear in mind when you first start to introduce a child to fishing there will be much fidgeting, yawning, and saying how bored they are, this what children do and you can’t expect an active child you become still and silent just because you tell them to. Before you set out for a trip, take them through all your tackle and explain what it’s for, this is a good way of gauging their interest before you set foot out the door.

Don’t try and make them interested, if they start off well but then start to get distracted, put the tackle away and do it another day. Get them a fishing net and take them to rock pools or a stream to get the feel for what fun they can have fishing, this is the kind of thing we all have fond memories of from childhood, and whilst many don’t go any further, it does set it many on the path to a passion for angling.

It goes withoutsaying that a small child should never be allowed to bait a hook or cast a line until they are old enough and strong enough, to do it safely. Get a junior rod, cast it for them and let them hold it. Explain that the fish may or may not be hungry, don’t build up their hopes as disappointment is the major reason for children giving up on things. When they do get that first bite it will be a moment to treasure.

Finally, you will have to, at first, adapt your fishing trip to the child rather than the other way around. Even if you are a solitary fisherman who goes out into the wilderness to escape everything, you will have to interact with the child and make it fun. Start with shot trips too and gradually increase the time you are out. Take it slowly and you will soon be spending quality time with the child doing what you enjoy the most.

/*Article by www.kidszine.co.uk*/

If the significance of this article’s title hasn’t struck you yet, I’m talking about fishing for sharks, 32 metres up a mountain in fresh water.We’re also not talking about any old shark too, the catch concerned is the mighty bull shark and arguably the most dangerous shark there is. These phenomenal predators grow in excess of 8 feet and weigh hundreds of pounds. They’ve earned their name through their muscular, stout anatomy and their penchant for ramming their prey in an attack. They also hold the unique attribute of being able to tolerate both salt and fresh water, something no other shark can mimic. The generally accepted reason for their trips into freshwater is too give birth where rivers act as nurseries for their young. There are no large predators, apart from the sharks of course, so the water is teeming with them.

So how do these large marine predators make it 32 metres and 107 feet above sea level to the largest fresh water lake in Central America I hear you ask, they jump up the rapids like Salmon a sight which must be every bit as awe-inspiring as hooking one of the beasts in the lake. It’s probably best not to go fly fishing in these rapids otherwise you may well bite off more than you can chew, pun intended.

So if you fancy a unique fishing experience in one of the most beautiful places on earth, get yourself to Lake Nicaragua. You’ll need a strong rod and big boat; these sharks are fighters, but just imagine the look on people’s faces as you tell the story and they laugh at the notion of catching sharks in lakes, before you pull out the pictures of you holding that huge bull shark by the boat. Not to mention you get to sample Central America…happy days!

Rufus Elliott is an Event Organiser for Chillisauce. He also runs the travel blog community Epic Traveller

Jess Spate lives close to the Taff in South Wales, and is a regular visitor to Parc Taf Bargoed. She has also been lucky enough to see the salmon leap at the weirs near the centre of Cardiff.