On Your Own Hook

On Your Own Hook

An old saying  is “on your own hook” meaning it was on you and you alone. You had to do it, no matter what it was. Not many folks are really on their own hook anymore.
However, we can get close to it. Being self-reliant and “owning the skills” can be the answer to being on your own hook at least for a while.

Many today learned about packs in the scouts and the military, they learned about the gear and food the clothes and how well it works. High speed, low drag , sometimes, and what you needed in the field. What many failed to notice  is that all military gear is based not on a single person but  a unit, and that help would be on the way. That certain things can be humped a certain distance and or dropped to you as part of said unit. So it is based on a backup system.

Years later, or sooner you decide to camp, hike, hunt, fish and the first thing one turns to is the gear from the military, it is rugged, and holds all kinds of stuff, and what the hell, it is tactical. We as a nation for the most part do not look twice at a pack from the military, or the clothing as far as that goes. Oh I can hear you already moaning that it stands out, really? Many think so because when they wear it everyone is looking at them. Really? I think you are just more aware because you might be wearing such an outfit, but they are not looking anymore than at any other time. The bottom line is the military stuff was/is practical it worked … The next move might be a decent civie pack from one of many fine companies that make hiking and camping gear. It all works okay. But you are still hooked and being dictated to by  military thinking and falling prey to advertisements that our “stuff” works better and that hook is set in your mouth .

However, we want to be on “our own hook” not the other guys. Being on your own hook is what traditional , old school is about. By looking into the what was used from the early 1700s, the long hunters and moving into the golden age of camping you start to become aware of what the gear was and how it was used when many were  “on your own hook”. You will find that you dont need a giant pack. You dont need all those items the military says you have to have. You learn a whole set of skills that sets you above and beyond the average Joe. By leaning into the past and dragging it into the now, so you too can be on your own hook. And it is fun.

Learn to prepare your own foods, you do not need to rely on what others are selling you. The restriction of movement by modern clothes is nasty and a trap. The synthetics are okay to a degree, except when they burst into flame and melt on your skin when sitting around a campfire. Learning to put together a fine workable kit that weighs under 30 pounds and lot less for many of us. By owning the skills you can supplement your food stores by foraging and trapping some simple fare. That can stretch your time in the wilds.

On your own hook, requires some dedication and some book “larnin'” but by backing away from what you have learned from one world opens up a world of real traditions , experiences, and possibilities for you to become a man of the woods, the field and stream. By living on your own hook you will begin to understand the feel and smell , the touch, the look of what oil cloth and waxed cotton really means, wool and leather and the clothes that are fitted the right way that allow one to move, and bend, and twist without being pinched and hindered when you need to move.

My pack from my days in the Marine Corps is in my man cave. I use it to store items. It also stores many memories, as do a few other items that have survived all these years afterwards. But a few other items hold me even closer, an old trapper pack that was my Dads, knives from the old school that were my Dads. I look at my own waxed cotton packs,  my clothing, and boots and I feel they are real and a great part of me, not just a pair of pants. My hats , some are custom made some are store bought some are from garage sales but they are special, no boonie hat ever seemed to have a real personality. . What my point here is the traditional seem to hold and grab on and do not let go. Maybe it is my age at this point in my life but somehow I don't think so.

I get excited when I see others coming into the world of traditional. I search for old books, obscure books and items from the golden age. I google the google looking for old school gear. And keep an eye out for any new items that fall into the old school. I like sharing with others what I have found and hope they get it and understand. I know it is not for everyone though, and that is okay. We all chose a path .

“Owning the skills”, allow you to be on your own hook, by combining those hard earned skills with the traditional gear is a satisfaction that is hard to convey. So Im not going to try other than to say,  what's left is pure joy. Remember to have fun, don't make it a drudge. Any stupid S.O.B can be unhappy.

On your own hook will give you a freedom you have never really had before. “Own the skills ”  and be “on your own hook.”

By Dude McLean

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