Survival fishing is a skill that all people who spend time in the back country should learn.

When we designed the Hand Fisherman units, this was one of the primary goals we had in mind. We wanted something small, easy to pack, durable and reliable.

I’ve mentioned in a few of my blogs that other than the odd evening with my fly rods, I am using my hand line units all the time now as my primary fishing tool.

As is any survival situation it’s good to have your few basic tools, but as in any bush craft the knowledge of how to use what you have on hand is key.

As our kids have grown we have taken time to show them basic outdoor skills like lighting fires with flint and steel, or a single match, how to make rope from bark, basic plant identification, shelter building, the use of bows, slingshots and rifles. Of course along with that is how to fish effectively. As anyone who enjoys the outdoors alone or with family and friends it’s very important that we pass on our knowledge, but the key to actual survival is practice.

For 40 years as an avid fly fisherman and fly tier, I have chased the glamour sport fish and I can’t say that it has not been a lot of fun.

In the last couple years however, I have spent much more time with my hand fishing units targeting all of the species I could find in the different local watersheds I have visited.
When I was on Great Slave Lake this summer I landed a 24 lb Inconnu (Sheefish) on a hand line, as well as many Northern Pike.

I was recently in Greenland on a business trip and had a few hours one evening so I bought a licence and went fishing. The Arctic Char weren’t biting due to a torrential downpour pretty much blowing out the rivers for a few days, but I did hook into a nice Greenland Cod, though I didn’t land that one I got it right to shore. I might need to go back there and try again.

Recently my wife and I also chased some Carp and Northern Pike Minnow. This is the largest of the minnow species and can grow to 1.2 meters. My wife landed a nice one on Shuswap Lake and I caught several in Kalamalka Lake in southern British Columbia. Though we could have spent all of our time going after Rainbow Trout we were looking for something both more unique and off the regular path. Even though these are considered course fish and are not prized by sport anglers, they would certainly suffice as survival fair.

I guess what I’m trying to say is don’t just think outside the box, but get outside, learn about your local ecosystems and practice, practice, practice.

If you pick up one of our Hand Fisherman units, you’ll see that we include one fishing rig set up. I decided to put in one float, a few split shot weights, a length of clear leader (we use a yellow monofilament line on the hand line as it limits tangling and is easy to manage. Some fish are color shy so best to have a few feet of clear or other light colored line to attach before your hooks), and a bead and yarn fly with the hook. This is a very versatile set up for most situations, but it is meant just to get you started.

When I go fishing I add two small 2”x 3” zip lock bags, the same small size that comes with you purchase, so small and easy to pack. I just clip them on the same carabineer that we include in the Hand Fisherman package and bring the following to be prepared for any fishing situation:

• Assortment of single hooks, 3-4 of the following sizes;
• Size 12, 10, 8, 6, 2, 0, 1/0, 2/0, 3/0.

These can fit easily in a super small plastic zip lock or piece of plastic sandwich wrap, and will suffice for bait fishing for almost any situation.

• Three or four small and medium sized spoons, I like Krocodile, Len Thompson’s, Gibbs. Pick what makes sense though for your area. Spoons are very easy to cast and fish with hand lines so very effective. I always change any treble hooks to single hooks though, as they pack easier into the small bags and tend to snag bottom less as well. You don’t want to lose your lures if you only have a few and singles are fine for hooking fish.
• A small assortment of flies. A few woolly buggers, a couple wire worms and a few small dry flies (sedges, mayflies, mosquito’s)
• A couple rubber tail jigs. Be sure to wrap these in plastic wrap or a very small baggie though as the rubber tails can react and discolor/ degrade your other tackle.
• Two or three spinners, I like Blue Fox, Panther Martin and Mepps. Again single hooks.
• Three short wire leaders for fish like pike and walleye with teeth.
• About 12 feet of clear line each in mini zip locks for leader material. You should only need about 3 feet, so this is enough for several leaders in each size in case you break any off. I carry the following pound ratings. 6lb, 8lb, 12lb, 20lb, 30lb, 40lbs.
• Mini floats that I use in conjunction with weights so I can have my weight on bottom and my bait a foot or so above. Lil Corkeys work great for this technique.
• Split shot weights – I carry about 15 or 20 in a size 4-5. Then I can attach as many as I need depending on the fishing situation.

As long as we are on the survival topic I thought I would also share the other items that I bring along on every trip whenever I travel, whether it is business or pleasure. Keep in mind that if you fly some of these items need to be in checked luggage.

• Multi Tool
• Bick Lighter
• Matches (In a waterproof tube)
• Sewing Kit
• 100 Feet Para-cord (Many uses but great if you need to tie up broken luggage)
• Small Flashlight (I never rely on my smart phone light in case I need that charged for communications)
• Spare AA and AAA batteries
• Small survival Mirror
• Whistle
• Brass Snare Wire
• Two Large Garbage Bags
• Small Tact Bivy Bag
• Compass
• Water Filtration Straw
• Wire Saw
• Small first aid kit
• Small Pen Size Diamond Knife
• Sharpener
• Bandana
• Small – “Write In The Rain” (waterproof notebook and pencil or space pen)

Of course one Hand Fisherman with the tackle listed above.

I have found that all of these items fit easily into a small size dry bag, and of course the dry bag itself is quite useful for carrying water if needed.

TIGHT LINES
Dave