welcome to AN ,you need a rod license to use your rods in the uk (available at the post office)as long as you have an address youl get a license ,this covers 2 rods ,the ordinary coarse one covers carp etc ,but if you want to fish for game fish (in season) then youl need a game license ,the difference to the U.S. is that ALL water is owned by someone ,so youl need a club permit or a day ticket for that water ,a lot of waters (inc rivers) are only fisherball with permission of the landowner (riparian owner) who you will have to find and ask (good luck).
your local tackleshop will have details for clubs and day ticket waters in your vicinity have a chat with them ,also study the byelaws on the permit for what and whats not allowed i.e our club has brought out a new byelaw making it obligitory to have an unhooking mat with you WHATEVER fish you fish for
[ 02. November 2002, 03:12 PM: Message edited by: chesters1 ]