June 19, 2009

Survival Guru Tony Nester

Here's some information take from my forthcoming book "The Modern Hunter-Gatherer," which delves into procuring wild foods:

I have two setups: One is a low-tech fishing-kit and the other is a collapsible fishing pole that you can purchase from most gear shops for $25 (reel and lures included).

My low-tech kit for the backcountry is pretty simple: two dozen assorted hooks secured on a safety pin, a dozen split-shot sinkers, a small roll of 6 lb. monofilament line, a few artificial lures, and some small bobbers. My kit is perfect for catching freshwater panfish like bluegill, sunfish, and perch. You will have to adjust your own kit to fit your region and the fish you are after.

Do you have a question of your own?

For bait, there's no substitute for a juicy worm! Short of that, I have used grasshoppers, grubs, crickets, and moths. If no live bait presents itself in the region, then I have my fallback artificial lures.

With this system of fishing, I don't use a pole but rather cast off of my hand, a stray pop can, or a smooth stick. I have probably caught more fish on survival outings using this simple "Hobo reel" than through using any of my expensive rod and tackle sets, most of which are gathering dust. I was first introduced to this setup in the Boy Scouts, but have found it to be pretty universal and still in use by native cultures throughout the world. In fact, a friend who recently returned from a jungle survival trip in Guyana said that the natives there still use this system as the primary means for procuring fish.p>

If you would rather purchase a pre-made survival fishing kit, then I would consider picking up one of the fine kits from the BestGlide Company in Texas. I obtained a sample to try out and was really impressed with both the quality and well thought out components that went into their Standard Kit. This little beauty will take care of your emergency fishing needs if you are not inclined to assemble your own.

For a longer wilderness trip, I will bring along a collapsible fishing pole with a quality Daiwa-brand reel and an assortment of artificial lures.

As you can guess, we are not talking about an expensive fishing kit with either of the above setups. If weight is an issue, then pack along the Hobo reel.

Be sure to obtain a fishing license for your state and to follow the guidelines. The rules are in place to protect the ecology of rivers and lakes.

•	Subscribe to Outside and get a FREE Gift!
•	Give the gift of Outside Magazine!
•	Subscribe to Outside Online's free weekly e-mail newsletter featuring gear reviews, fitness advice, galleries, podcasts, and more.

RECENT QUESTIONS
Got a question for The Survival Guru? Ask it here.
•	How do you make primitive snowshoes?
•	What should you do if you get lost driving in a snow storm?
•	How do you keep heavy rain from dousing a fire if you have no cover?
•	What should you do if you run into a cougar in the backcountry?
•	What is the number one backcountry skill people should learn?
•	What's the number one reason people get lost in the backcountry?
•	How should you deal with a bite from a Southwest scorpion?
•	What is the most abundant and evenly distributed edible plant in the United States?
•	What is the best way to treat stream water if you get lost and have no purifier?
•	What should you do if your boat sinks in the ocean and there is no floating debris?

RECENT FEATURES
•	Survival Stories: The Good, The Bad, and the Just Plain Lucky
•	I Will Survive: The Top Wilderness Survival Stories
•	Into the Wild