One of the key features of any camping area is a body of water. Some people enjoy the water as a sideline to camping, while others, well, they camp to fish.

Fishing is an art. It is the art of convincing a fish that the bait on your fishing line is something to eat. It is the fish’s nature to eat, however, your bait has some competition, and the fish has to be in the right "mood." But, there are several things you can do to help enhance the fish’s mood.

First, you must be quiet. Fish have a sensory organ called the "lateral line" which enables the fish to "see" vibrations. For a fish, vibrations signal danger. Clanking oars, splashing water, loud voices -- all these will frighten the fish away. Also, shadows scare fish. Hawks, eagles, otters, bears all cast shadows. Fish have learned to fear shadows.

Fish typically like to eat what is found in their natural environment -- bugs, worms, other fish and fish eggs. But bait can be anything that works. Some professional anglers use cheese, peaches, leftover meat. But, tried and true, the main bait for the amateur fisherman is the worm.

Store worms in a cool, dark place in loosely packed dirt. Believe me, you don’t want them to die and smell.

Worms and other "bait" are good if you want to cast your line and relax while the fish decide to try your bait. But some fisherman don’t want to just sit there. For these active folks, lures are more appropriate.

A good lure should look like a fish, move like a fish, splash like a fish or at least somehow behave like a fish. Different lures behave differently, on the surface, on the bottom, or somewhere in between.

Whether you choose to use bait or a lure, the most important part of your fishing gear is the hook. There are barbed hooks and barb-less hooks. If you plan to catch fish for fun, then toss them back into the water. You should use a barbless hook so the fish will less likely be injured while caught.

For catch-and-release, don’t just throw the fish back into the water once you have unhooked it. If the fish let’s you hold it without a struggle, it must be revived first. Gently hold the fish under the water’s surface, and move it slowly backward and forward to move water through its gills to prevent shock. The fish will swim out of your hand when ready.

Sinkers and bobbers work to get your bait in front of the fish -- sinkers weigh the baited hook, lowering it towards the bottom of the water. Bobbers, or floats are designed to keep your bait or lure from sinking.

Different kinds of fish reside at different levels in the water -- depending on the water temperature, water flow, and other factors. No matter what fish you want to catch, or how you choose to bait it, the three main points of fishing remain the same: offer the bait, wait for the fish to bite, hook the fish. The equipment available to accomplish this three-pronged process are almost endless. But, even with the basic hook, line and worm, you can be successful.

You need to "cast" your line to get the bait out in front of the fish. This is easiest with a rod and reel. When the fish "try" the bait (called a strike) you attempt to set the hook as they do. Once that’s done, the game is afoot, and you must bring the fish to shore.

Most of the time, fishing will be best at dawn and dusk. Cloudy, overcast days are also good, since the light conditions are similar to dawn and dusk. For trout though, you fish during any pleasant time of day however spring and fall are best.

If you plan to eat the fish you’ve caught, try to kill it quickly. Don’t let the fish flop around, bruising the meat of its flesh. Be sure to cook the fish completely, until the meat is opaque and flakes easily with a fork. No matter how you cook is, a general rule is not to cook fish any longer than ten minutes for each inch of thickness. Measure the fish at tits thickest part and multiply the number of inches by ten minutes.

These are the basics of fishing, and you will need to learn the best methods for each type of fish and environment as you go. Pond fishing differs from stream fishing, and the approach for Musky is different than the approach for trout. But to get started in the sport, you simply need a fishing rod, with a hook, some bait, and some water.

Of course, in West Virginia, you’ll also need a fishing license. The "goWild!" system (West Virginia Internet Licensing Data system) provides access to WV licenses 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Accessed on the web at www.wvfish.com, the system guide you through the process. After selecting the desired licenses and stamps, pay using a credit card through a secure server. At the end of the transaction, you will get an email containing a link back to the license. You can then print your licenses on your home printer.