This is a bit of a roller coaster post where I make some crazy connections between economic theory and fishing tackle. Care to see if I manage to reel in a point by the end?
Economics is usually seen as a dry field of mathematical modeling and serious people in suits making grave pronouncements based on a blend of quarterly earnings reports and animal spirits. That description may apply to a lot of bad economists, but good economics is primarily a study of human action as it relates to scarce resources. Exchange plays a large role from the global economy down to the local farmers market, but ideas can also be applied to the individual's choices and actions, even in a case like Robinson Crusoe alone on his island.
Of course, this is a fictional story, but not only is it a great adventure novel, it is an intriguing thought experiment. In an emergency like a shipwreck, resources are scarce. Time, especially, is of the essence. The most urgent needs are water in a matter of days or hours, shelter before nightfall, fire as soon as possible, and food without too much delay. Anything else is secondary, and the resources available must be used as effectively as possible to ensure survival. Crusoe had to economize. He had to choose actions that would give the best short-term results while accounting for long-term needs so he could eventually begin saving food. Such savings mean investing now so future opportunities can be pursued.
Now, think of your survival preparations, whether your scope is short-term snow storms and power outages or TEOTWAWKI. You need to choose your actions carefully, and apply your scarce time and resources as best you can to solve problems and start rebuilding. The more serious the situation, the more essential it is to have the best tools to get the most benefit.
So all of that buildup leads to... A fishing reel.
Yup.
Why? Because being able to get food while also doing something else is a massive multiplication of productivity in a situation where this can mean the difference between life and death. Beyond basic checklists, it's time to consider thriving, not just surviving. Tools multiply the effectiveness of our labor, and automation frees up labor for other endeavors. If you have access to water and fishing, you have an opportunity to let your food gather itself. If you can't build a fish trap, you might want to consider a trotline, dropline, or other set-it-and-forget-it option.
In this particular case, a small reel with a spring and trigger mechanism is used as an automated fishing system. Is it more effective than a trot line? I don't know. Is it practical? I haven't tried this yet. It's brand-new. It does have a bit of bulk and weight, but the mechanism may offer better performance than line alone. Is it legal? That depends on your jurisdiction, but if you're lost in the middle of nowhere, a game warden catching you violating fish and game regulations is still a ticket back to civilization.
Whether this doodad is the bee's knees or a worthless waste, the idea of preparing and survival means finding ways to multiply your efforts. Have you used a yo-yo reel? What tools in your emergency kit can do more than meets the eye, or allow you to multitask with less energy expended?
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