Preparation is a key element of the outdoors. The concept of preparation isn’t limited to simply packing correctly or having a plan of attack when hitting the trail, though. It also entails being prepared for possible emergency situations by carrying first aid kits, emergency whistles/mirror, and even putting together a small, portable tackle box in case you find yourself stranded without food. Keep reading to learn how you can put together your own makeshift tackle box that won’t take up much space at all and provide a means of obtaining food should the need ever arise.
First, you’ll need a case to hold everything in. Backpacking and camping rely heavily on utilizing each square inch of backpack space efficiently, though, so just any case won’t do. A great option that holds everything you’ll need, but doesn’t take up very much room at all is an Altoids tin. The great thing about these cases is that they’re small enough to fit in your pants pocket, so you’ll still be in good shape if you happen to lose your pack.
Inside the lid of the container, I suggest taping fishing hooks. Try to use different sizes, so you’ll be prepared for a number of species. Also, wrap around 100 feet of fishing line (8-12 pound test should be fin) around a pencil or even a business card.
Other things to include in the small tin are weights, lures, small bobber, and tweezers/small pair of pliers. Yes, live bait would be fine, but you may have to—brace yourself—eat the worms or bugs yourself if food is absent, so you’ll want to save those. Plus, you may not always be able to find live bait, so don’t waste precious time searching for it.
If you have the room for a bigger makeshift tackle box, then by all means, do so. More space means you can include other items like a pocket knife or more tackle, like lures and a small spare line spool, which can always be helpful. Furthermore, if you have the foresight to do so, try to check the local fish species for the area where you’ll be hiking or camping and include popular lures for those species in your emergency tackle box. This will give you a leg up if the situation arises.
It may be a cliché, but it is true that people don’t plan to fail, they fail to plan. It doesn’t take much time or extra money to plan ahead for potential emergency situations and putting together a makeshift emergency tackle box is easy. There’s nothing wrong with being prepared. Who knows? It may save your life one day.
