Cooking a fish with no pan or pot can pose a challenge, but the skewer system is one way that is almost foolproof as well as easy to assemble.

Depending on what you catch, you can alter the size of your skewer system, so you can cook smaller and larger fish – even at the same time.

Using the tip of a sharp knife carefully cut up the body from the anus to a point between the pectoral fins. Using two fingers scoop the entrails out of the body cavity and pull firmly. This will remove all the guts.

Select and cut a straight length of green (live) Hazel or other non toxic wood such as Willow, this should be approximately the thickness of your middle finger. Cut it to a length of 3 feet; use a knife to remove the bark from the thinnest end for a distance of about a foot. Sharpen both ends of the stick. Next select two 8 inch long, ¼ inch thick sections of Hazel. Remove the bark.

Next, pressing onto a log or other firm surface and using the tip of a knife split the thickest piece of hazel down the centre, but not all the way to the end of the shaft. Twisting slightly will open up the cut. Ensure that the skewers will fit by inserting them into the spit, they should be firm but not too difficult to insert. If the skewers are difficult to insert open the split up slightly using the tip of a knife.

Place the spit into the body cavity of the fish and push it out through the mouth of the fish, a real test for the squeamish. Next, line up the split with the sides of the fish and insert the first skewer through the side of the fish, it then goes through the split and out through the other side of the fish. Try to get it through the meatiest parts of the body or it may start to rip as the fish cooks. Insert the second skewer further towards the tail of the fish. With both skewers in place the fish should be well secured to the spit.

Cook the fish over the embers of a fire, and keep turning it to prevent burning.

In a survival situation, fish are an easy source of protein that are also relatively easy to catch, which if you need food, can be a life-saver.

Knowing how to cook your fish if you do not have the right utensils, however, can be a problem because you do not want to eat raw fish if you can help it (Sushi is an exception.) This skewer system is easy to make and can be used over and over.

To learn about other practical and great ideas for using your surroundings to survive, check out DRYAD Bushcraft.