# Sovereignty Module: Cast the Net

## Complete Primitive Fishing and Net Making: From Hook to Harvest

Fish are among the most accessible protein sources in a survival situation. This campaign covers hook making, line construction, net tying, trap building, and fish preservation.

### Chapter 1: Primitive Hooks and Lines

| Hook Type | Material | Difficulty | Effectiveness | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gorge hook | Bone, wood, thorn | Very low | Good | All fish (swallowed whole) |
| J-hook (bone) | Bone | Moderate | Very good | Medium to large fish |
| J-hook (thorn) | Hawthorn, honey locust | Low | Good | Small to medium fish |
| J-hook (wire/nail) | Metal | Low | Excellent | All fish |
| Circle hook (bone) | Bone | High | Very good | Self-setting, less gut-hooking |
| Compound hook | Wood + thorn | Moderate | Good | Medium fish |

Gorge hook construction: 1) Cut bone or hardwood sliver 1-2 inches long. 2) Sharpen both ends to points. 3) Carve groove around center for line attachment. 4) Tie line to center groove. 5) Bait covers entire gorge (fish swallows it). 6) When fish swallows and you pull, gorge turns sideways. 7) Points dig into stomach or throat. 8) Most reliable primitive hook design. 9) Works for any size fish (scale gorge to target species).

### Chapter 2: Net Making

| Net Type | Mesh Size | Use | Material | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gill net | 1-4 inches | Passive fishing (fish swim into net) | Cordage, monofilament | Moderate |
| Cast net | 1/2-1 inch | Active throwing over fish | Cordage, weights | High |
| Dip net | 1/4-1 inch | Scooping fish | Cordage, frame | Low |
| Seine net | 1/4-1 inch | Dragging through water | Cordage, floats, weights | Moderate |
| Landing net | 1/2-1 inch | Landing hooked fish | Cordage, frame | Low |

Net tying (sheet bend knot method): 1) Cut mesh gauge (flat stick, width = desired mesh size). 2) Cut shuttle (flat stick with notches to hold twine). 3) Load shuttle with cordage. 4) Tie starting loop to fixed point. 5) Loop cordage around mesh gauge. 6) Pass shuttle through previous mesh opening. 7) Tie sheet bend knot (the universal net knot). 8) Slide gauge down, repeat across row. 9) Turn work, start next row. 10) Each row adds one mesh width of depth. 11) Continue until net is desired size. 12) Add float line (top) and lead line (bottom) for gill or seine nets.

### Chapter 3: Fish Traps

| Trap Type | Construction | Effort | Effectiveness | Best Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Funnel trap (basket) | Woven basket with inward-pointing funnel | High | Very good | Streams, rivers |
| Weir (stone/stick) | V-shaped wall directing fish to trap | High | Excellent | Shallow streams |
| Tidal trap | Stone walls exposed at low tide | Very high | Excellent | Coastal areas |
| Bottle trap (improvised) | Plastic bottle with inverted neck | Very low | Moderate | Streams (small fish) |
| Crayfish trap | Woven basket or wire mesh | Moderate | Good | Streams, lakes |

Funnel trap construction: 1) Weave cylindrical basket (2-3 ft long, 1 ft diameter). 2) Close one end (back of trap). 3) Create funnel: weave cone shape that points inward. 4) Funnel opening: 2-3 inches (fish enter but cannot find exit). 5) Attach funnel to open end of basket. 6) Bait inside with fish guts, bread, or crushed shellfish. 7) Place in stream facing upstream (fish swim into funnel). 8) Weight with rocks to prevent washing away. 9) Check daily (fish will die if left too long). 10) One trap can catch multiple fish per day.

### Chapter 4: Fish Preservation

| Method | Shelf Life | Difficulty | Equipment | Flavor Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Smoking (hot) | 1-2 weeks | Low | Smokehouse, fire | Smoky, cooked |
| Smoking (cold) | 1-3 months | Moderate | Cold smokehouse | Smoky, raw texture |
| Salt curing | 6-12 months | Low | Salt (lots) | Very salty |
| Sun drying | 1-6 months | Very low | Sun, dry climate | Concentrated |
| Pickling | 3-6 months | Low | Vinegar, salt, jar | Tangy, firm |
| Fermentation | 6-12 months | Low | Salt, container | Strong, umami |

### Chapter 5: Fishing Strategy

| Water Type | Best Method | Best Time | Target Species | Bait |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small stream | Hand line, gorge hook | Dawn, dusk | Trout, panfish | Insects, worms |
| Large river | Trotline, gill net | Night | Catfish, carp | Cut bait, dough |
| Lake (shore) | Set lines, dip net | Dawn, dusk | Bass, panfish | Worms, minnows |
| Lake (deep) | Drop line, jug fishing | Varies | Catfish, walleye | Cut bait |
| Tidal (shore) | Cast net, seine | Incoming tide | Mullet, shrimp | None (net) |
| Pond | Funnel trap, hand line | Morning | Panfish, catfish | Bread, insects |

### Reference Card

1. The gorge hook is the most reliable primitive hook (it requires no special materials and works for any size fish; master this design first). 2. Gill nets fish while you sleep (set a gill net at dusk and check at dawn; passive fishing multiplies your effort). 3. Weirs are permanent fish factories (a well-built stone weir in a stream can provide fish indefinitely with minimal maintenance). 4. The sheet bend is the net knot (every net in the world is tied with the sheet bend; learn this one knot and you can make any net). 5. Bait the trap, not the hook (traps catch fish 24 hours a day; a baited funnel trap is more efficient than a hand line). 6. Preserve the surplus immediately (fish spoil within hours in warm weather; smoke, salt, or dry any fish you cannot eat today). 7. Fish move at dawn and dusk (most fish feed actively at low light; concentrate your fishing effort at these times). 8. Read the water (fish hold in specific locations: behind rocks, in eddies, under overhanging banks; learn to read water and you'll find fish).