Henry David Thoreau said, "Many go fishing all their lives without knowing that it is not fish they are after." Indeed, while most fisherman will tell you that the whole point of going fishing is to catch fish, it's often the quiet, relaxing hours spent away from the pressures and aggravations of daily life that make fishing such a popular sport. With the right equipment and a few helpful hints, you too can see just what makes men and women around the world reach for their rods and reels when they need some time away from it all.

Mike Pope is a Production Manager for the Law Enforcement Training Network in Flower Mound, Texas. He's also an avid fisherman and gives us his expert tips for planning a first fishing trip:

• Fishing reports.
  According to Pope, most local newspapers include reliable fishing reports. These columns are a good place to find out what kind of fish are native to a particular fishing spot, what kind of bait or lures they are likely to hit on, and the peak times to fish.
  
• Gear and tackle.
  Fishing tackle can be very specialized, so you'll have to know what kind of fish you're after and what conditions you'll be fishing in before you buy your rod, reel and tackle. Fly-fishing for brook trout, for instance, requires a totally different set of equipment than fishing for lake trout in deep water. Try visiting your local sporting goods store or specialty fishing store for advice on what kind of equipment to buy.
  
• Fishing license.
  You'll also need to have a state fishing license in your wallet before you put your line in the water. It's the law, and it's also the right thing to do, since money generated by licensing often goes to fund your state's hatchery system and fish and wildlife department.
  
• Sunrise, sunset.
  Another key to fishing is a good alarm clock. Set yours early and get to your chosen spot before sunrise, as fish are more likely to bite in the early morning and again just before sunset.
  
• Patience.
  In Pope's mind, being stressed and over-anxious is not a pleasant way to fish. He advises prospective fishermen to think of the sport as primarily as way to relax, and secondarily as a way to catch fish. If you're patient and calm, you'll have a great time and you'll appreciate it a lot more when you finally hook into a lunker fish.

For more information about fishing, check out the following organizations and websites:

Fishing Links.com
www.fishing-links.com

GORP: Fishing
http://gorp.com

Field and Stream Magazine
www.fieldandstream.com

International Game Fish Association
www.ifga.org

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