Improve Your Course Fishing

I’ve been reading this fancy little magazine since I was about 13 years, 2 months and 17 days old. In that time, it’s never really changed and I really couldn’t wish for it to be more helpful.

There are some other magazines available that go in to more detail on certain aspects of the sport, but Improve, gives you an all-round look at every side of it. I find it less useful now that I’ve had so much actual ...
...have really learnt a lot of stuff from it. For a beginner in particular, there can be no better course fishing magazine (how is it possible for any person (maybe that’s not what I am??) to be so enthusiastic about a magazine?!?).

It comes out on the 16th of every month, and they kind of run 1 month ahead. What I mean is that you’ll pick up the April addition on the 16th of March. Costing £2.50, it’s cheaper than some ... more

I’ve been reading this fancy little magazine since I was about 13 years, 2 months and 17 days old. In that time, it’s never really changed and I really couldn’t wish for it to be more helpful.

There are some other magazines available that go in to more detail on certain aspects of the sport, but Improve, gives you an all-round look at every side of it. I find it less useful now that I’ve had so much actual fishing experience, but as a learner, and even now, I have really learnt a lot of stuff from it. For a beginner in particular, there can be no better course fishing magazine (how is it possible for any person (maybe that’s not what I am??) to be so enthusiastic about a magazine?!?).

It comes out on the 16th of every month, and they kind of run 1 month ahead. What I mean is that you’ll pick up the April addition on the 16th of March. Costing £2.50, it’s cheaper than some other less insightful mags.

As it covers every angle of the sport, you never know what you’re gonna get in the next months edition. Well, that’s another true lie actually because they normally tell you what to expect the month before. Whatever they do though, they always try and make sure that there is something there for everyone.

As well as all the other stuff that I’ll get to in a minute, they normally have 3 or 4 main articles, where one of the pros show you how to do stuff. For example, this month they have Neville Fickling writing about Pike (understandable that most of you will never have heard of him), Des Taylor (well known to some) showing you how to catch Chub when the weather’s freezing cold, some guy catching a load of carp and stuff, and finally, they have TRIPLE WORLD CHAMP (who I bet none of you have ever heard of) Alan Scotthorne catching billions of Roach on bloodworm. Something for everyone you see, and even if you know nothing about them, its interesting just reading this stuff to broaden your fishing intellectualism (my made up word for the day oh no, Microsoft got there first!! Oh well, it was a superb guess at a word I’ve never used before!!).

Each one of these basically follows the experts out on to the bank, and watches how they get on. Every detail is noted and explained in easy to understand humanoid words and with nice pictures too. It is by copying these things and taking note of everything they say that you will surely find yourself improving (hence the magazines title I suppose).

There is far more to it though than just the tips from the pros though.

They normally start with a couple of pages of news. Even if you have no idea what they’re on about, its always worth a read. There isn’t so much of it that you’ll get bored, but it’s very informative nonetheless.

They also have an excellent ‘Ask The Experts’ section, where readers can write in and get their problems solved by the pros. Again, this is always worth reading through properly. In real life, I only really concentrate on the match fishing side of things, and most often I’ll be using a pole. But by reading stuff about all sides of it, it’s suprising the amount of knowledge that can be gained. Fish behaviour for example which they often do talk about can help you catch LOADS more once you have even a basic understanding. ‘Improve’ will give you that, and I really think that there is something for everyone within these 120 pages (ish).

There are quite a few adverts for tackle shops in the magazine, but I think that’s actually one of the good things about it. I rarely find the need to use local tackle shops for any bigger items. Between these pages you will find some of the best deals I’ve ever seen in my life.

Quite of ten, they do an ‘ULTIMATE GUIDE TO…..’ section. This month they tell you all about pole floats, which I can really see being extremely useful for the beginner (for those more advanced check out ‘Advanced Pole Fishing Techniques’). Each month they obviously change the subject, again, as with the rest of the magazine, they never really pick something that is helpful to ALL, but at some time, there will be something there that will help YOU.

They actually run quite an interesting MISSION thing, where each month they set you a target. For example, in the past, they’ve asked readers to catch a 4lb plus Barbel, a 10lb plus Carp or a 4lb Bream. If you complete the missions, you can send a picture in and get a badge for it. If you’re lucky you’ll also get your photo put in to the next months magazine. I think it’s an excellent way of getting people to improve.

There’s a letters to the editor bit too. If you say something that they think everyone should hear, then they’ll print it in the magazine, and you’ll get yourself a nice little prize. Normally a rod or a reel or something like that. Other than this, they do run actual competitions where you can answer a few easyish questions to enter the draw for some more decent stuff.

One for all Ciao lovers, they have a nice little review section. Although quite short, they will often point out the good and bad points about some of the newer products on the market. As with the whole magazine, these are set out very well. All is made very clear and of course, the pictures help for those of you that can’t read.

Along side the review section, they normally have a kind of ‘test’ bit, where they compare similar products from different manufacturers. And then at the end come up with a recommendation for the readers. It is all very honest stuff and will surely save a few people some money. If something’s wrong, they’ll tell you about it. Again, the subjects reviewed in that section change from month to month to keep every angler happy.

The classified section allows readers (or non-readers) to advertise their fishing venues, hotels, campsites and holiday companies. I’m pretty sure that it isn’t free to advertise as they simply leave a phone number for you to ring if you’re interested.

Oops, nearly forgot their excellent ‘Where To….??’ Guide. Each month they highlight and give details about (14 this month) some of the countries best venues. Even little known places get a mention, which is great because that obviously makes it more helpful. Each one is given a full; run-down. What types of fish they hold, all prices and facilities, and also how to catch the fish once there.

That’s basically it from me I’m afraid (yippee!!). If you do like the magazine, then you can subscribe for only £30 a year. That will save you £10 a year (0.27p a day or 0.0002p per minute!!!)

To finish off with a summary: It’s a well laid out, easy to understand, suitable for all, pretty cheap, good looking full of info magazine which will be helpful to all but the most arrogant anglers.

Enjoy!!  

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