Introduction to Fishing & Survival
Fishing can be a very rewarding pastime, but it can also be a life-saver in a survival situation, as fish are a great and healthy source of protein. Once you know how to find water that’s likely to have fish, you need to know how to catch the fish, and of course know how to prepare the fish for eating. In many cases it’s fine to eat them raw, but a little cooking can go a long way.
Survival is also about self-sufficiency, and the better you are at fishing, the more you are able to provide food for yourself and your loved ones without relying on external systems.
Types of Fishing
With fly fishing, a very light artificial “fly” is cast from a fly fishing rod and line to simulate an insect floating on top of the water. This is unlike more standard bait or spinners which are the weight behind the cast and are intended to go underwater and attract the fish as the line is reeled in. Fishing also distinguishes between warm-water fishing and cold-water fishing, which partially determines what kinds of fish you would be able to catch.
Deep sea fishing, often referred to as big game fishing, involves going to larger, open waters, with the equipment to suit catching larger fish. This type of fishing is unlikely in a survival situation, but that doesn’t mean open ocean fishing wouldn’t be necessary in a sea survival situation, since it’s the only way you’re going to eat!
Alternative and less common forms of fishing including ice fishing, where a hole is cut in ice and a line is dropped through the hole with a baited hook, and hand-fishing, where you are literally reaching into the water or down into the banks of a river. Spearfishing and bowfishing may also be an option, especially in shallower waters, suited to island survival.
Fishing Gear
Although it is good to develop an ability to create makeshift fishing equipment out of more everyday items, it is good to develop a familiarity with more standard fishing equipment, including fishing tackle, lines, bait, rods, and reels. There’s no reason why some basic fishing equipment can’t be a part of your emergency preparation. Plus, fishing is a very rewarding hobby in its own right, so it’s easy to have an excuse to get familiar with the gear!
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