This technique requires sharp hooks and there should be no slack in the line. Then it´ll work fine even in moderately fast water. I found that regular flies work better than jigs for that.

It´s often easier to let dry flies drift downstream from the start. This way the leader can be concealed more easily. In some sreams it´s not allowed to cast downstream a all. The rule of casting dry flies upstream results from that. Without proper equipment attempts to cast upstream will not be exceedingly rewarding. It could be effective to set up the rig in way that allows the dry fly to barely touch the water. The fly will drift a few inches downstream lift off and touch down on the original spot. I caught a lot of fish in small streams that way.

I have pretty much all of my fishing equipment on my hat. I have a straw cowboy hat and have put an entire small spool of line on it like a hat band held in place with about 5 or 6 swivels, the ends are held together with about 6 various removable sinkers. Then I have put the hat band back on over the line and put about 6 or 8 hooks on it so that the barbs arent exposed. I have 2 white feather jigs attached to the front with a swivel with the hooks facing each other and tied together. It's all I need and doesnt look too bad either. And I figure in a real emergency I could use the hat to start a fire.

Trot-lines are great, but the smallest one I have ever used that is feasible is 1'X1' box.with 50 hooks, a bit bulky to tote. Unless you have an AWFUL lot of time on your hands, use a box. You're better off with a different rig fishing from the bank, even using small 10-hook trot lines. (Haven't had the notion to run one while wading or swimming, but you'll end up doing alot of both if you catch fish) Trot lines, in my experience, are best used from boats. Caught a twelve-pound Channel Cat on one once. Where I come from, yer a "furiner" (foreigner) if you don't know how to run a trot line LOL

I just use low hanging branches and set out about 5 or 6 lines. I agree about trot lines, could be a real pain trying to get a fish in, and I mean that literally. I wouldn't even try it. I do pretty well with my system and haven't come up empty yet. Of course theres always a first time for everything.

Ok, I'll be the first Yankee to admit I had to Google "trot line". I had heard the term in Brad Paisley's "Mud on the tires", but had no clue what it was. Now I do. I learned something today, it's a good day.

Another problem regarding the bulk of a trot line:
Trot lines don't work without beer. Lots of beer! If you dare to challenge my point PLEASE don't let my wife see this. I've spent thirty years convincing her that trot lines don't work if you're not sitting in the shade or on the porch intently drinking beer! Please don't blow this for me.

I think that's the law here. Thats why they call it a trot line..... Trot to the line, check it , then trot back to the beer. That's my dad's definition anyway.

Go take a look at the U.S. Rescue link. They have quite a lot to say on the subject. In a survival kit, you need to have enough hooks and line, plus cord to set a couple of baited lines. A plastic lure and a small float (can be improvised) are useful a well. Try hobo fishing with them. Its spinning without a rod. Quite effective.