Daggerfish — Handmade Survival Fishing in a Pittsburgh Workshop
Daggerfish was founded in 2018 by Adam Nelson — son of a national park ranger who grew up in California, Wyoming, and Pennsylvania. Every reel is handcrafted one at a time in his workshop: a repurposed Ukrainian church turned micro-factory in Pittsburgh.
Sustainable materials, lifetime guarantee
Materials are sustainable by design: domestic hardwoods, carbon-negative cork, vegetable-tanned leather. Backed by a lifetime guarantee, the gear is built around what Nelson calls "deep outdooring" — quiet, contemplative, low tech, high skill. See the broader Fishing collection for cross-brand options.
Handline and packable fishing
Daggerfish's handline reels and packable fishing kit are designed for serious backcountry users — survivalists, foragers, and ultralight backpackers who want quality cordage and corrosion-resistant hardware in a compact format.
Pair with Survival Tools, Emergency Foods (for primary calorie reserve), and Cordage.
If you're new to handline fishing or want a backup that lives in any kit, a Daggerfish snap-sling reel is the gateway product. Hand-built in America, built to outlast you.
