DIY PROJECT SET THE HOOK

ASSEMBLE YOUR OWN PACKABLE FISHING KIT FOR EMERGENCIES OR WHEN TRAVELING LIGHT

- STEVEN PAUL BARLOW

I like to choose each outdoor gear component that I'm going to include in my survival kits, hiking daypacks and camping bins.

I've always found ready-made, all-inclusive kits lacking in one way or another, usually to keep their prices down. By selecting each piece of gear individually, I'm ensuring that get exactly what I want according to my specific needs. And those choices are normally based on personal experience using those items. I want to be confident they'll perform dependably when needed.

The same goes for my fishing kits, which are one of the things I pack along with other essentials.

KEEP IT BASIC

I have a large fishing tackle box that I organized by separating everything into smaller plastic containers from Plano and other companies. The small containers fit nicely inside the large tackle box. This setup is fine for use on dedicated fishing trips. But I found I didn't need to lug the huge tackle box on trips where fishing was a “maybe” activity, especially if my car was loaded to near capacity with other things.

So, I took some of those small containers - about the size that would fit in a cargo pocket of my pants -- and assembled basic fishing kits that contained a small assortment of hooks, sinkers, and a few small lures that would work on a variety of fish species. Coupled with a rod and reel combo, I can fish if the opportunity presents itself without being weighed down with unnecessary tackle I might not use.

MEDICINE BOTTLE

Taking a step down in size are the emergency fishing kits I've assembled that I've included in my survival gear and carried regularly in my daypacks, fanny packs, and shoulder sacks.

These kits consist of however much I can cram into an old plastic prescription medicine bottle. Hooks, sinkers, some dry flies and other tiny lures fit inside. Sometimes