Bushcraft

OC by @Korhaka@sopuli.xyz

Made this handline a little while ago, I would like to tidy it up but the wood is split a bit so I would probably make a new one rather than touch this one up. Likely let the wood dry too quickly but it wasn't in the best condition when I found it anyway.

There is a grove cut in that the line wraps around, although there is so much line that the grove could probably be a bit deeper. Normal fishing line, then the string wrapped around and tied in a clove hitch to help hold the fishing line together. The end has a swivel attached so I can then clip on the hook and weight, it creates a weak point so that if it gets stuck the weak point will break first and leads to much less fishing line left in the water. Although don't really like the idea of leaving any fishing line so the V2 will use all natural string/cordage, may even go for a stone as a weight. Metal hooks do rust away quickly in sea water but a wooden hook is tempting, it only needs to hold the bait on the line so pushing a toggle through the bait could be an option. Crabs don't get hooked, they just hold onto the bait.

When putting bait in it quickly got the attention of 2 spider crabs who decided to fight over the bait for a while before they went for the bait, if I had a larger net I could probably have scooped them up there and then but I wasn't expecting to catch something so large. Only expected shore crabs.

Should probably go again, didn't have a large enough tub to take him home for dinner.

I think mine is one of my very first solo trips which looking back I was kind of over optimistic and stupid, but also gave me great memories.

It was early spring in Minnesota, daytime temps a little above freezing, nighttime temps well below freezing. I packed out with just a couple of tarps for shelter but a ton of pack weight with other gear. There was still quite a bit of snow and the thawing and refreezing left a crust on top. Every step I'd have to step up onto the crust, but then it would break and I'd sink. I didn't have snowshoes at the time, my entire walk was like doing a stairclimber.

Once I got to my site the temperature dropped and the wind picked up and it was already getting dark. It was a mad scramble to get my tarps up in a way that kept me well out of the wind. By the time I started working on my fire my fingers were cold and barely working, and all of the wood was wet and snow covered. I was able to eventually get a good fire going. Once I was settled in, protected from the wind and with a good fire, my dinner of a steak and hot chocolate was probably the most satisfying meal I've had in the woods. I slept great that night, with the wind howling all around.
Fond memories indeed...

First post to new bushcraft community.