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Embarking on a hiking adventure is an exhilarating experience that allows you to reconnect with nature and explore the great outdoors. Whether you’re an avid hiker or just starting out, having the right gear is crucial for a comfortable and enjoyable journey.

While there are many essentials to consider, one very important aspect that often gets overlooked is clothing. The right clothing can make all the difference when it comes to comfort, protection, and overall performance on the trail.

So, gear up and let’s explore our top five essentials when it comes to hiking attire!

The power of a good jacket

A good jacket is an absolute game-changer. It’s not just a piece of clothing; it’s your shield against the elements and your trusted companion on the trail. Here’s why investing a high-quality jacket is crucial:

• Weather Protection: It’s unpredictable out there, and hiking often means facing various weather conditions. A good jacket acts as your first line of defence against rain, wind, and unexpected temperature drops. When shopping our site, look for waterproof or water-resistant materials like our wax jackets that use British Millerain Waxed Cotton – find your perfect men’s or ladies wax jacket today
• Breathability: A good jacket is designed to offer breathability, allowing moisture and excess heat to escape. If this is something that is important to you, shop our jackets that offer built-in ventilation systems, like our Jack Murphy Waterproof Lambourne Cape Coat.
• Layering Versatility: Hiking conditions can change rapidly, especially in mountainous regions. Look for a jacket that offers insulation or consider a wool jumper that is comfortable to wear underneath as a layer. Check out our blog: ‘5 Benefits of of including a Knit Sweater in your Travel Kit’ https://www.walkerandhawkes.com/5-benefits-of-including-a-knit-sweater-in-your-travel-kit/
• Durability: Hiking can be tough on clothing, with branches, rocks, and rough terrains testing the endurance of your gear. Make sure you choose a jacket made from high-quality materials. We’ve been perfecting our craftsmanship since 1982 and we’re proud to be working with the finest fabrics in the world – which we’d trust to see us through any adventure!

“Love my new coat. This was a replacement for my last Jack Murphy coat which I’d had for 10 years plus. The coat is definitely waterproof and great quality.  The coats do come out big in size to allow for warm clothing underneath.  If you buy it, you will not be disappointed!!”

Jo Wood, Ladies Jack Murphy Waterproof Malvern Cape Coat

The vital role of good boots

When it comes to hiking, the importance of good boots cannot be overstated. They are not just footwear, they are your foundations for a successful and enjoyable hiking experience. Here’s why investing in a pair of high-quality boots is crucial for your next hike:

• Foot support and stability: For those uneven and rocky pathways. 
• Protection: Keep your feet safe from sharp rocks, protruding roots and thorny bushes. 
• Comfort: The right boots will make the world of difference when it comes to a comfortable walk. 
• Traction and grip: A solid grip is essential for maintaining stability and preventing slips and falls. 
• Durability: Quality boots are constructed with robust materials and reinforced stitching, making them capable of withstanding the rigors of hiking for many adventures to come.

Gear up for your next hiking adventure by shopping our top-quality hiking boots, designed to provide exceptional support, protection, and comfort on the trails.

Head-to-toe protection

Packing your Bag for the hike

When preparing for your hike, packing the right essentials can make a world of difference in ensuring a smooth and enjoyable journey. Here’s a short section on what to pack for your adventure:

• Navigation tools
• Water – and lots of it!
• Snacks and meals
• Clothing
• First Aid Kit
• Sun protection
• Insect repellant
• Emergency shelter
• Lighting – a good torch (not your phone)
• Multi-tool or knife
• Personal toiletries
• Communication devices
• Trail snacks (yep, more)
• Optional extras – camera, binoculars, trekking poles

Remember to research the trail and conditions you’ll be hiking to ensure you pack everything you need.

Sharing the journey

Embarking on a hike can be an exhilarating and fulfilling experience, but the joy of the journey can be amplified when you have good company by your side. While solo hikes have their merits, there are lots of great reasons to bring a companion along with you. 

From shared memories to safety, motivation, fun, and learning, the presence of companions on a hike can make the journey enjoyable, rewarding, and meaningful. 

If your dog is up to the fitness challenge and you feel confident that they can manage the trail, then one of our favourite hike buddies has got to be our dogs. Hiking responsibly with our dogs creates cherished memories and a special bond that only shared adventures can provide. 

“Spent a whole day in strong, mildly obscured sun, air temp 28’c+, and found it comfortable and well balanced, it sat and stayed even when bending over.”

Paul Boothroyd

If you’re searching for your next hiking destination, look no further! Check out what the Walker & Hawkes team think are the best hiking locations in the UK.

Eight pieces anchor a women’s country wardrobe: a fitted tweed or quilted jacket, a wax jacket, ankle Chelsea boots, high-waisted jeans, tailored trousers, a fine wool jumper, a tweed skirt, and a fitted white blouse. Together they cover every outdoor and smart-casual occasion. Classy yet comfortable and always durable – it’s time to embrace the fashion of the fields with Walker & Hawkes.

We’ve been working in the country wear business for over 40 years, bringing you the best premium style. Every outdoor adventure should be accessible when it comes to clothing, but why stop there? Our pieces are here to be worn every day, come rain or shine; read on to find out which items should be hanging in your wardrobe all year round.

Baseball cap

From tweed to wax, the choice is there to suit any style, terrain, or casual event. A baseball cap reinvented into a tweed piece is a staple due to its classic yet modern look, instantly adding style and a unique twist to an outfit, or simply providing some warmth during a chilly spell. We adore this fresh and feminine look – when it comes to baseball caps, don’t let men have all the fun! 

Flat Cap

Tried and tested, our flat caps are built to last and, like all Walker & Hawkes items, produced to the highest standards – perfect for a hat you will want to take with you on every adventure. Nothing says style like a flat cap. Iconic, the flat cap provides a glamorous look and a nod to casual chic when paired with any outfit.

Find out why they are iconic, shop flat caps here.

“It Fits! Size matters for little heads. A well-made hat which makes one feel it will retain its shape. Nice material and a very good level of finish.”

Tweed blazer

“This is a gorgeous, rich olive colour. Well made. Fits as expected. I plan on wearing this as a hacking riding jacket.”

harrison buttoned cardigan

Come summer or winter if you’re feeling the chill the Harrison Cardigan is the perfect pick-me-up. Made with a beautiful and stylish ‘Cable Stitch’ and warm Merino Wool, this cardigan offers a traditional yet relaxed fit that can be worn under a jacket or over a shirt.

Odour resistant, breathable, and made from 100% super soft merino wool, this cardigan comes in grey or black. Warm enough for winter, yet cool enough for summer – this cardigan is our secret weapon when it comes to dressing impeccably through the British seasons. 

stockingford boots

Let’s tie it all together and complete the look with our Stockingford Boots. The timeless and effortlessly chic Chelsea-style boots have rubber soles for fantastic grip no matter the terrain, and the side panels provide ease of movement whilst keeping your feet secure.

Perfect for shooting, hiking, farming, outdoor wear and even styling a festival look – these boots are great for a modern look with shorts and a dress in the warmer months, but easily transition to trousers and jackets when the season changes.

Key Features

• Upper leather is made from 100% full-grain cowhide leather.
• Inner material is made from polycotton fabric.
• Single pull-on tab.
• Elasticated side panels.
• Round toe style.
• Ankle-high boot.
• Diamond stitch feature on rear

At Walker & Hawkes we stock a large collection of outdoor wear. Different styles combined with a variety of colourways means you can choose the perfect outfit to suit your outdoor needs.

This includes Tweed Jackets, Flat Caps, Shooting Breeks, Wax Jackets, Blazers, Baseball Caps, and more! With extensive ranges of menswear, womenswear and kids wear, we have something for the whole family.

If you’ve picked up one of our staple pieces from this blog, tag us in our social media so we can see how you wear your Walker & Hawkes style.

Modern wool fabrics are among the most suitable for high-performance activities such as hunting. With a range of benefits that cross the span of both form and function, here’s why you should wear wool clothing while out on a hunt.

Breathable, Warm and Insulating

Sheep have to weather all sorts of climate conditions, be it scorching sun, chilly rain, whistling winds or the freezing snow. How do they manage to do all this and keep their body temperature well-regulated? The answer is their wool and the air pockets within the material.

When it’s warm, these air pockets allow for advanced airflow that keeps you well-ventilated. The material also wicks away sweat and releases moisture into the air. When it’s cool, these air pockets work to trap your body heat close to your skin, preventing it from escaping.

Wicks Away Moisture

As we mentioned, wool keeps sweat away. The material absorbs moisture from your skin, allowing it to evaporate into the air. Wool can also soak up to a staggering 30% of its own weight in moisture without feeling wet! Compare this to polyester, which absorbs 0.4%, and nylon, which absorbs 4.5% Wool also comprises hydrophobic fibers, which work to repel exterior moisture such as rain and snow.

Odor-Resistant

If you’re performing any sort of high-performance activity, odor is a definite concern. This is especially true for hunting – if your prey is warned of your approach by your scent, he’ll be gone before you even stand a chance. Body odor is caused by a growth of bacteria, and wool has natural antimicrobial properties that prevent bacteria from growing on its fibers. With wool clothing on your hunt, you’ll be able to smell fresher for longer.

Another benefit of wool that comes in useful on a hunt is the fact that it’s silent. Wool won’t crinkle or flap in the wind. Lastly, wool also absorbs heat, which means that you’re even less likely to attract your quarry since you’re not wearing a reflective material.

Soft on Skin

Most wool won’t irritate your skin. Instead, the feel of wool is soft, silky and comforting. If you’re in the thick of winter and need a hard-wearing outer layer, wear something made of wool as an inner layer to keep comfortable.

Sustainable

Wool is a sustainable material. Coming from domestic sheep, it is natural and easily-renewable. It is also recyclable, since any excess material can be transformed into products such as rugs. Natural wool fibers are also quick to break down; this is essentially a biodegradable material. Wool also uses much less oil energy to produce compared to other common materials such as acrylic, polyester or nylon.

Finally, wool is an extremely strong material. While elastic enough that it can stretch and retain its original shape, it is also particularly durable – able to bend up to 20, 000 times over itself without breaking.

Wool on the Hunt

If you’re introducing your children to hunting, wool is a particularly good material to start out with for their gear given how comfortable it is. Try them out with a wool gilet or a wool derby coat.

Fishing. There’s nothing quite like it, is there? Picture yourself on a lake in crisp weather, faint morning mist still hanging in the air, catching the light reflecting off the water. Then a tug on your line and the adrenaline that follows. If the thought rejuvenates you, you’re not alone. Fishing is popular because it brings you closer to nature, grants you a sense of accomplishment and allows you to quieten your mind. You might have only thought of fishing as a personal endeavor, but did you know fishing with family is good for your health too? As a parent, the physical and mental wellbeing of your children boosts your own. We discuss the benefits of fishing with family here.

Builds Self-Esteem

Fishing is an endeavor that lets you set personal goals, while accomplishing them builds self-esteem. Take your children fishing to get them out of their comfort zone. They’ll be able to acquire a range of skills – tying nodes, finding out about different species of fish, reading the water – that will help them feel more confident and ready to take on the world when the time comes.

Fond Memories

Mental Clarity

The fresh air, gorgeous landscape and sense of adventure are all bundled together in fishing. Add to that good company, and you’ve got a cocktail for fond memories that’ll keep you warm for a lifetime to come. The entire fishing trip offers a chance to bond that stretches beyond being simply out on the water. Get your children to research and select some good fishing spots so that the fun can begin even before you get into the car. You can even stretch the fun out after the fishing itself – sitting together as a family is an experience to treasure.

In this digital era, spending some time away from the screen gives us all a chance to clear our mind. If you’ve been worried about your children because you’ve noticed them spending too much time in front of their phones or computers, fishing is a great activity to give you all a break. Because of how ubiquitous they are in our daily lives, we might sometimes find ourselves using our digital devices as props that allow us to hide from conversations with those around us. When we spend time concentrating out in nature, we’re forced to confront the world in all its beauty. It’s a humbling yet powerful lesson to impart to your children, and perhaps even learn for yourself.

Builds Life Skills and Values

Fishing requires determination, planning and hard work. All valuable lessons to learn as a family, and which can be transferred to other parts of your daily life. From teaching your children how to cast the line, to waiting for a fish to snag onto the hook, fishing teaches us to be calm, collected and patient. Building these values in your children will help make your life as a parent much easier!

Be Well-Equipped

Part of enjoying your fishing trip is making sure you’ve got all the right equipment. When you fish with your family, make sure that you’ve got the right attire for everyone, whether it’s a good, sturdy gilet or dependable jacket for your children.

Country Jumpers and Knitwear are one of the most renowned types of clothing and they are made of fabrics that are second to none. Country Jumpers and Knitwear are what promoted British fabrics to the world. In recent history, the clothes have increasingly become people’s favorite and number one choice of outfit for different types of occasions such as dates, hangouts and so much more. These fashion pieces are made of wool, cashmere, fine animal hairs, cotton and other textile materials. There are so many options for men’s knitwear and women’s knitwear that you can look your best in any occasion.

With the comfort and versatility that knitwear and country jumpers have offered over time, there has been so much growth in this industry and it also remains one of the most lucrative businesses one can invest in. Read this helpful guide to know why you should invest in this fashion style.

Quality Fabrics

Country Jumpers and Knitwear aren’t just ordinary fashion wears, but are elegant and quality pieces which can be worn by anyone. Country Jumpers and Knitwear are one of the fashion trends that gives your dressing that exquisite look. Investing in country jumpers and knitwear isn’t just any type of investment, It is a stable and lucrative investment because you are investing in something quality and beautiful which can be styled in so many beautiful and unique ways.

High Demand

The industry of Country Jumpers and Knitwear is growing day by day. People who demand such pieces have high purchasing power. Everyone in this period wants to be at the forefront of fashion trends and are interested in dressing simply and elegantly. Thus, when there is a high demand for a product in the market, be rest assured that you are going to make sales and your investment will bring lucrative returns. There has been no sign that knitwear and country jumpers are going off the market anytime soon, and it is expected that in years to come, the market will continue to grow.

Comfortability

Everyone tends to enjoy pieces that are fashionable and comfortable. When it comes down to looking good and being yourself, people don’t hesitate to go for it. Youths nowadays tend to go to every length to get comfortable and look their best, so investing in a fashion trend that makes people comfortable and looking their best is a very good investment because people will always come back to get more of the product so that they can exude confidence every day.

Style

Knitwear and country jumpers are so versatile that they can hardly go off-market. There is a style for everyone:  men, women and children. Everyone can decide how they want these pieces to be styled—It can be worn on dresses, pants, cargo trousers or even as a dress itself and once everyone knows that they can own their style with these knitwear pieces, then you know your market is not limited by genders and that your products will enjoy a wide range of consumers. This is another good reason why you should invest in country jumpers and knitwear.

How quickly the year passes! We’re already in the dog days of summer, and the Glorious Twelfth beckons. Now that we’re close to grouse shooting season, here’s our guide for what to wear to keep comfortable throughout.

What to Prepare For

The season begins on August 12 and stretches until December 10. This two-month window opens us up to rapidly-changing weather – we move from the last, sultry days of summer, to the crisp of autumn, to the cold of winter. As far as gear goes, this means that you need to be prepared for potentially harsh weather towards the end of season. If you’re doing your shooting at the start of the season, however, you can dress for milder weather. Whenever your trip falls, this guide is here to help you prepare for dressing in grouse shooting season.

Jackets and Coats

A good-quality jacket or coat keeps you warm and dry during the season’s colder months. Look for a jacket that is well-insulated while you’re out on the moors – our ideal jacket or coat is durable and hard-wearing, while soft and comfortable on the inside. For the style-conscious, Derby tweed is always a classic design. A fleece-lined coat is also a good choice for keeping warm, while wax shooting jackets marry function and form. Dark colors, such as olive and green, are always the perfect choice, as they keep you camouflaged out on the moors.

If you’re keeping your hunt to August or September however, we recommend a lighter and more breathable alternative to a jacket or goat, such as gilet.

Layers

If your venture falls in the later part of the season, you’ll need more than a jacket or coat. Layering up is the best option – think jumpers, sweatshirts and knitwear. A high-quality wool blend jumper can keep you warm even in the coldest months.

Trousers

When it comes to grouse shooting, you want a below-the-knee cut that ensures that your boots take the brunt of all that mud and water, keeping your legs dry. Trousers – or breeks – designed specifically for shooting are a practical alternative to loose-fitting or full-length trousers. While perfect for many other environments, those types of trousers tend to merely soak up the water when it comes to grouse shooting.

Footwear

A grouse shooting trip can last for hours, and you’ll want to keep your feet comfortable throughout. You want a pair of footwear that keeps your feet toasty, and that have enough leg guard to keep the mud away on dry days. A reliable pair of wellingtons will never let you down. Another practical option are knee-length boots.

Accessories

When you’ve got your outfit down pat, it’s time to consider the accessories you’ll need. Having the right accessories can help you complete your attire and make it as functionable as it can be. Socks and hats will keep you warm during the winter cold, and make a stylish complement to your outfit.

Now that you’ve got all you need, you can head off and enjoy the glories of grouse shooting season!

To wear a dress shirt under a jumper, choose a shirt with a stiff collar (Oxford, spread or button-down), a fine-knit jumper in a plain or subtly patterned fabric, and let the collar sit outside the jumper neckline. Roll the shirt cuffs down so a centimetre shows below the jumper sleeves.

Wearing a dress shirt under a jumper can be a creative way to make a fashion statement whether you are looking to achieve a casual or formal look. However, you need to understand some fashion dos to be able avoid styling your shirt and jumper wrongly. Read along to find tips to help you create a style powerhouse with your shirt and jumper.

Pick the right dress shirt

To avoid bunching under the jumper, be sure to choose a dress shirt that fits you well in the shoulders, sleeves, and waist. If you can’t find a shirt that is fitted, you can take the one you have to the tailor for fittings. Additionally, it will be beneficial to choose a thin dress if you are trying to achieve a neat, crisp look.

Choose a short-sleeved shirt in warmer weather

Besides looking great under a jumper, a short-sleeve dress shirt will keep you cool in the warm weather by reducing the number of layers on your arms. Likewise, it will prevent your shirt from causing lumps under the sweater sleeves.

Wear a crew neck jump for a professional look

Pairing your dress shirt with a crew neck jumper is a great way to maintain a professional appearance for your business meetings. Wearing your jumper and shirt like this will serve you the classic vibe as you walk into the office or conference room. You can pair the look with some slacks and leave the collar of the shirt tucked in if the collar of the jumper is very tight.

Wear a V-neck jumper with a tie

When pairing a dress shirt with a jumper, wearing a tie will immediately upgrade the style to a classic professional look. The rectangular shape of the collar of your V-neck jumper will frame the tie neatly. As long as your jumper and shirt fits properly, you will be able to pull off this look cleanly.

Wear neutral colours for a conservative look

Wearing neutral shades of blue fabric will bring out your professional side more. Choose neutral shades like black, gray, white and the likes for your tie, jumper and shirt. Even though your outfit will still look nice if you pair neutral shades together, avoid wearing the same shade throughout.

Mix solid colours with patterns

If you have a fun personality, mixing solid colors with patterns will help to show your personality. You can choose to wear a patterned shirt with a solid-colored tie or a solid shirt under a patterned jumper. However, don’t wear several patterns in one outfit as it creates quite unpleasant similarities. You can check out our men’s wool jumper and ladies wool jumper.

Tuck your shirt in

For a date night, presentation at work, or an interview, you can tuck your shirt into your trousers to impress.  Letting your shirt hang out under your jumper is a bit sloppy and will ruin the impression you are trying to make. Ensure that you do the tucking neatly to avoid lumps in your trousers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Wearing the right gear while out in the field is imperative to your comfort and safety. If you’re looking for the perfect pair of trousers for shooting, we’ve put together this trousers measurement guide to let you know what you should look out for. Getting your numerical measurements is rather straightforward, but a good pair of hunting trousers does more than just fit well, they should also work well on both your body and the environment. The features listed below are things you should consider when sizing up the measurement and fit of your trousers.

Elasticated Waist

An elasticated waist gives you freedom of movement, which is essential to hunting. You don’t want to be confined by fabric as you twist and turn. An elasticated waist also helps to secure your thermals and shirt, preventing them from coming untucked. When you measure your waist for your trousers, consider a bit of give, and look for trousers that have both an elasticated waist and a secure closure system. Belt loops are also always a plus.

High Back

When you measure your midsection for your trousers, take into consideration that you’ll likely want a pair with a “high back”. A pair of hunting trousers with a high back provides you with protection and warmth over your kidneys and are a good choice for high seat work. If you’re looking for additional warmth, consider a pair with fleece lining, to keep you warm in the autumn and winter, as well as the crisper days of spring and summer. If you enjoy a hunt in the colder months, consider a sturdy dog coat for your canine companion as well.

Knee-Length Zips

When measuring your legs, consider trouser features that you’ll want to have around your knees. A pair of trousers with knee-length zips are easier to pull off, no matter how wet or muddy you get. If you need a quick change, you have the added convenience of not having to pull your shooting boots off when you take off your trousers.

Articulated and Reinforced Knees

Another thing to look for around the knee-area of your trousers are articulated and reinforced knees. An articulated knee refers to trousers designed with extra material in the knee area, which provides you with more mobility while also preventing your trousers from riding up.

As you can see, while measuring yourself for your trousers, you don’t want anything that’s too tight or that fits too snugly. Always look for a little bit of give for mobility, and added space for material that provides reinforcement.

Durability

Our final tip has to do with material. The best material depends on your usual shooting or hunting conditions. Rough terrain – such as heather – requires a tougher fabric. Waterproof material is also recommended for most environments. Different materials might require a tighter or looser optimal fit, so think about that as well while measuring. Finally, we recommend a fabric that is breathable so that you optimize your comfort while out on the field. The last thing you’ll want to do is be distracted from a hunt because your gear is uncomfortable!

Flat caps are dress accessories that fall between casual and formal. Back in the 19th century, a flat cap was a sign of working class men but has now evolved to being a piece of headgear popular among elites. Men who wear a flat cap these days are trendsetters and well-dressed men in Hollywood.

Flat caps are available in a variety of styles, patterns and fabrics, making it easy for an individual to choose according to their lifestyle. No matter the weather conditions, there are fabrics that suit the season, such as heavy fabrics for cool temperatures and light fabrics for warm weather. Read along to find out the best occasions to wear your flat cap.

Wear to Work

Since flat caps fall between the casual and formal, you can wear it for work if your work environment is a smart-casual type. Wearing a flat cap will upgrade your look and style without having to overdress. Choose your cap according to the weather condition, meaning that you should go for a flat cap made with wool or felt in cooler weather. For warmer weather conditions, opt for caps made of light fabrics.

When having a business hangout with co-workers or a casual meeting in a coffee shop, don a flat cap to make a classy yet casual statement. You can pair it nicely with cargo pants, jeans or chinos.

Sporting Activities

If you have been looking forward to wearing your flat cap, here’s a good one. You can wear your flat cap to any sports activity, including horse riding, baseball, football, basketball and even golf. Flat caps are also known as golf caps, which explain why elite in movies don a flat cap when golfing.

Whether you are participating in the sport or sitting on the sidelines, wearing a flat cap is a great way to accessorize your sport wear to make a fashion statement. When going out for a basketball outing or other sport event, pair your flat cap with cargo pants, sports jackets, jeans, and the likes for an elegant look.

Special Occasions

Even though you can always wear your flat cap to casual outings, you can also wear it to formal occasions. Remember, flat caps fit between casual and formal, making it okay to wear to formal occasions such as weddings, burials, graduations, dinner parties and other celebrations. You can pair your flat cap with a woolen suit with a V-neck sweater to make a classy statement at the event.

Since this type of cap works nicely for casual everyday looks and can also be styled into an elegant fit for whenever you want to dress up, it is a must-have accessory. From weddings to dinner parties, lunch with coworkers to golf clubs, flat caps are quite flexible and can be worn for several occasions. You can check out our Harris tweed flat cap and moleskin flat cap to elevate your look to a classy appearance.You can buy yourself different styles with a range of our fabrics so as to have an option for different occasions and weather conditions.

Coarse fishing is fishing for any freshwater fish other than trout and salmon — carp, bream, roach, perch, chub, tench and dozens of other species. It’s the UK’s most popular form of angling, can be enjoyed year-round on lakes, canals and slow rivers, and starter gear costs under £100.

This guide covers the three kinds of UK fishing (so you know where coarse fits), the main species you’ll target, the gear you’ll need, and how to keep fishing through every season. Whether you’re picking up a rod for the first time or returning after years away, the basics are here.

The 3 types of UK fishing

There are three kinds of fishing in the UK:

• Coarse fishing — every freshwater species except trout and salmon. The focus of this guide.
• Game fishing — trout and salmon only. Typically in rivers and lochs.
• Sea fishing — saltwater species off the coast.

Coarse fishing is the most accessible of the three. Most UK villages and towns have a fishery or tackle shop within a short drive, and the entry cost is the lowest. Local tackle shop owners are typically happy to point a beginner in the right direction.

The main UK coarse fish species

These are the species you’re most likely to catch in UK still and slow-moving waters:

• Carp — the UK’s most-targeted coarse fish. Common in still waters; specimen carp can exceed 50 lb.
• Bream — bronze-coloured fish that form shoals in lakes and slow rivers.
• Tench — a hard-fighting fish with olive-green flanks. Most active in summer.
• Roach — small, silvery and very widespread. Often a beginner’s first catch.
• Rudd — similar to roach but with bright red fins. Prefers still water.
• Perch — striped predator. Takes a worm or small lure readily.
• Chub — a chunky fish with a large mouth. Lives in rivers.
• Barbel — torpedo-shaped, river-dwelling, hard-fighting.
• Dace — small and quick. River species.
• Gudgeon — small bottom-feeder. A common catch in canals.
• Eel — long-bodied freshwater species. Less common than they used to be.
• Catfish — large, bottom-dwelling. Found in certain stillwater venues.
• Grayling — silvery, sail-finned. Technically grouped with game fish in some regions.
• Ruffe — small spiny perch relative. Found in canals and slow rivers.

Coarse fishing gear: what to buy first

Starter kit (under £100):

• Rod and reel — a basic 12-13 ft float rod with a balanced reel is the cornerstone.
• Line — 8-10 lb breaking strain for most coarse work.
• Floats — loaded waggler floats are the most versatile. Start with three sizes.
• Hooks — size 10-14, barbless. Pre-tied to hook lengths makes life easier for beginners.
• Disgorger — small plastic tool to remove hooks safely.
• Landing net — a basic 18-inch net for safely lifting fish to the bank.
• Unhooking mat — protects the fish’s scales while you remove the hook. Essential for catch and release.

Useful additions (under £50):

• Split shot weights — for fine-tuning the float depth.
• Plummet — a small weight that attaches to the hook to gauge water depth.
• Bait box — for maggots, sweetcorn or worms.
• Scales — to weigh your catch. Important for match angling.
• Folding chair or bag-seat.

Coarse fishing through the seasons

Spring (March-May)

Water warms up and fish become more active. Tench and bream feed hard after winter. Good time to target stillwater specimens. Layers and a waterproof jacket cover the temperature swings — pack a wax jacket and wool jumper.

Summer (June-August)

Peak coarse fishing season. All species are active, especially carp, tench and chub. Early mornings and late evenings outproduce midday. Pack a brimmed hat for sun protection.

Autumn (September-November)

Predators come on. Perch and pike are at their most aggressive — autumn is the best time for lure fishing. Layers matter: a Walker & Hawkes wax jacket over a wool-blend jumper handles the temperature drops.

Winter (December-February)

Coarse fishing doesn’t stop in winter — it just slows down. Roach, chub and grayling remain catchable. Add some layers such as knitwear and socks to keep you warm and dry. Bring a flask of tea.

Frequently asked questions