An Ode to Ultralight Fishing

Ultralight fishing is one of my favorite methods of angling. The idea is: to use the lightest tackle available, while attempting to catch the largest fish possible. It's essentially a combination of strategy, leverage, and both. When conducted effectively, ultralight fishing can be quite exhilarating. The reward is like lifting/moving a block of concrete with only a few strands of hair and a quarter-sized pulley. Also, it requires that the angler to be extremely wary of minute mechanical and atmospheric details involved in landing fish. 

Much of the popular appeal of ultralight fishing is the enhanced/magnified connection you feel with the hooked fish. For example, fighting a 24-pound striped bass, with a nine-foot tuna rod and wire line is boring. There is no apparent sense of challenge, and it doesn’t broadcast or transfer subtle vibrations or leverage changes back and fourth between the fisherman and the fish. Conversely—hooking that same 24-pound striper with a six-foot pole, twelve-pound test, and a light 9-bearing spinning reel is exhilarating.

There is also a broad potential for transferability of ultralight fishing, among numerous platforms, from oceanic sharks to creek chub. No matter the expected size of the catch, using the lightest possible tackle increases both the challenge and potential reward of the experience. Plus, as an auxiliary fringe benefit package, the gear will likely cost a bit less (since it’s smaller), the weight of your total excursion load will be decreased, and there are ALWAYS bragging rights that go along with large fish landed on light tackle.

For me, there is a matter of situational context when I go fishing. What I mean is, I try and place myself in a time and place where fishing embodied a definition other than recreation. Imaging a father trying to feed his family, or an explorer looking to secure sustenance throughout his travels. In situations of necessity, luxury tends to be absent. Ultralight tackle is essentially a modern version of rudimentary fishing tools used many years ago.

Surely, as a dedicated angler, I’m susceptible to the lure of “big game.” Someday, I hope to sit tightly strapped in a fighting chair at the back of a boat—agonizing as I hit the 60-minute mark of my battle with a great white shark. I’d love to go back to central Texas and launch weighted frozen half-chickens toward the bottom of deep rivers, in search of 200 pound alligator gar. Still, there is a serene romanticism that remains associated with ultralight fishing. Whether fishing an ocean, river, pond, brook, sea, or lake; there will always exist a specific stream of consciousness that flows from the Zen of ultralight fishing. Peace be with you.

How To: An Emergency Land Navigation Tutorial

I've always appreciated the saying, "It's not about the destination; it's about the journey." Surely, stopping at a random stream, pond, or pier to open the car trunk, grab your collapsible-pole and throw a few casts is entertaining, but a strategically planned trip is a core element to a larger plan to simply "get away from it all." A big part of my joy of fishing is the extent to which it’s actually an expedition, rather than merely an activity. From the initial conceptualization of the intended trip—to dropping your bags and flopping on the couch back home, fishing trips are excursions.

That being said, what unfortunately happens far too often are people becoming lost outdoors. Sometimes they forget their modern devices; sometimes said devices fail. Having even basic knowledge of traditional land navigation techniques could mean the difference between life and death.

The most efficient ways to figure-out a situation are through the simplest channels available, and with the fewest required resources. The Shadow-Tip Method of determining direction is an excellent example. It can be conducted in most environments, and is extremely accurate. Please refer to the following step-by-step tutorial:

• Preparation of the platform (area): Find a flat, level clearing. Be sure to choose a spot that provides vivid shadow projection.
• Gathering of materials: You’ll need a rigid stick (about the circumference of your larger thumb and approximately as long as your dominant arm—from elbow to finger tip), and two marble-sized stones
• Construction/arrangement of materials: At the center of the chosen clearing, place the stick firmly into the ground, perpendicular to the surface. Place the first stone at the tip of the projected shadow. Wait (by assisted timer, or counting out-loud) 12-15 minutes (12 for assisted; 15 for counting).
• Device operation: After the determined period of time, place the second stone at the tip of the shadow’s new location. Remove the stick from the ground (or use a second straight stick of equal/greater length) and trace/draw a straight line between stone #1 and stone #2. Trace/draw another line perpendicular the existing.
• Deciphering of device: The first line you’ve drawn is the west-to-east line (stone #1 will always represent west).  From it, you can determine your north/south accordingly.
• Departure from point of navigation: After determining which direction to travel, pick an obvious fixed point in the visible distance (+/- a football field away) and tread directly toward it. Once there, look back to you point of origin, realign it with your location, and pick another fixed point in your direction of travel. Repeat until necessary for rescue or return.

The Shadow-Tip Method is a simple, yet potentially valuable skill to learn for anyone planning to spend a period of time in an isolated wilderness setting. With it—and literally NO man-made items required; you can determine direction accurately, which may be crucial. I recommend learning it, but I hope you’ll never need it.