throwing a line...indoors

People like to fish across the world. People don't always live near the great outdoors. In fact many and most people around the world live in densely populated cities. You have to imagine, those people want to fish too, and if escaping to the nearest stream isn't an easy option, well there a place for these folks (at least for those in Asia) Okay, there's no fancy rock formations (even the artificial kind) and it doesn't resemble a theme park. In fact it looks more like a bar or a gambling hall (and there's definitely some of that going on in some of these places), but the only different is there's live fish and a small rod involved. For those who have the opportunity to fish in great outdoor locations will laugh (or frown) on places like this, here you are basically fishing from a large tub of water ... chances are they haven't been bound to the city for an extended time, with no fishing possibility in sight. Keep anglers in the city long enough, and chances are, you will find them in these urban indoor fishing halls. At least once.

There are various styles of these places, everything from basement level halls where it is generally dark, and there is a prize associated with the fish you catch (gambling involved in some locations). There are places where it is straight fishing, just indoors and this ranges from huge greenhouses to docks that are enclosed (I found places in US (Arkansas & Texas) that is set up this way). Then there are places across Asia, where you catch what you will eat...literally. You catch, the waiter takes away and brings back prepared the way you want it.

Now here is what I find attractive about this. The concept that I can go anytime and any weather and there is fish waiting is basically convincing enough for a try. Kind of like a super market, where I am not going to the orchard to pick my own fruit or to a farm to milk my own cow - I just buy it. I know it's different with fishing and the environment is part of the experience, but remember you are stuck in the city. The experience is altogether different, especially when you look around and there are people literally elbow to elbow around you, but that's part of this experience. These places usually charges anywhere from $30 - $50 for an entrance fee, but seems like there isn't a lack of customers at these places. Well, that's one way to fish.