Successful fishing requires knowledge of various types of fishing gear, tackle, and an understanding of quarry. Fish have a variety of feeding habits, behavioral patterns, etc. and these characteristics influence how to go about fishing for them.

Traditionally, men learned how to fish when they were boys from fathers and grandfathers. Even if this training was lacking, it's no big deal for a guy to hang out with other guys who enjoy fishing and learn ropes from them.

For a woman, though, process is apt to be somewhat more difficult. In my family of all girls, we learned thrill of fishing as children from our father. Fortunately for us, our dad was an "equal-opportunity" fisherman...and he was a very patient man.

We learned to bait our own hooks, remove fish from line, and clean fish as well. We were rewarded with many an enjoyable Sunday on lake competing for top family fishing honors of who caught most and biggest fish.

For women who weren't brought up fishing as I was, all is certainly not lost. Although learning from a boyfriend or spouse is not out of question, a significant other may not be best place to get your first fishing pointers.

Your honey may not have patience that you will need to learn proper fishing technique and he may be a bit condescending as well…not exactly conducive to an enjoyable learning experience.

Try instead local women's fishing clubs. Check online for groups in your area that are specifically organized by and for women. Many groups are primarily centered on fly-fishing but not all are.

I think one of largest expenses outside of camera equipment has to be lighting. I've spent many a rainy day staring dreamy eyed at Lowel Light catalogue. After taking stock of contents of my empty pocket I knew there had to be a cheaper way to start, so it was off to Sears. I'm not saying that Sears is lighting central I just had room on my Sears card to go shopping.

A careful search of closeout section revealed a few boxes of halogen work lights that we're either open box returns or packaging was less than shelf quality. They came with an adjustable height stand which honestly isn't quite high enough but that's a small price to pay. The stand folds into a nice neat little bundle that included strap wraps around securing lights to folded stand making it compact and really easy to carry around. So for forty bucks I added two light sets to my indie arsenal.