Chris,<br><br>I was showing a fellow commuter on the train the Military fishing kit. He's an avid fly fisherman and was impressed on the depth of items included in the kit. He did comment, that it needed more flies (naturally!). Here's his list of what he would include:<br><br>Adams<br>Cadis Fly<br>Stone fly<br>Mickey Finn (salt water)<br>15" fly line<br><br>He said that thsi assortment would cover most common conditions one may run into during a season. Keep in mind that he fishes from the midwest and into the Rockies, at least from what I recall of previouis conversations.<br><br>One caveat, I'm not a fly fisherman (I'm not even a regular fisherman), so I can't vouch for the items on his list. But I thought I'd share his thoughts for thos that are interested. The flies are small and not too expensive, so they could be added to a PSK with little trouble.

I am a active fly fisherman and I agree that his additions are good. I would add a nymph pattern in addition. My favorite is called a Hare's Ear. This imitates the underwater stages of several common aquatic bugs including caddis, stone flies and mayflies. I carry a selection of these in several sizes from 14 to 8. Several can be squeezed into tiny spaces without concern about damage to hackles and wings of the dry flies he has listed.<br><br>The only dry fly I carry is a pattern called the Stimulator. This again is a general pattern that, depending on size, can imitate caddis and stone flies. This is an excelllent pattern in the Rockies.<br><br>The Mickey Finn is a good pattern even in fresh water used to imitate small baitfish. This is one I may add to my kit. The addition of a short piece of fly line is a good idea to help control the drift of the dry flies.<br><br>Fishing dry flies is generally considered more difficult than the underwater flies as the currents cause the fly to drag unnaturally across the water. This is why I have chosen to mostly carry underwater patterns. <br>

I hope this is close enuff to topic... I like to make things and I attempted rather successfully I think making hooks from beech twigs which are shaped about right at a fork on the limb and adding a bit of bone found in owl dropings. The bone can be drilled awl like in to the forked twigg, and lashed with any number of coradges. I use my hair.<br><br>Now I don't know how a fish sees this hook exactly, but I think the bone must be seen as some sort of larve, as this works on the trout here. Basicly this is what a steel hook is, but made from what I find in the woods alone....<br>i guess it would work for some as a last resort to catching a fish, but for me it is fun.....Mac

My fishing experience was extremely limited before this series of trials. I made all the classic blunders and discovered fixes ( only to discover the same answers in further research and conversations.) Hopefully Ill have a few photos ( is that Chris or the fish?) to make it interesting. I am trying to arrange a day on an Australian surfboat ( the ones used by the Aussie lifeguards and in competition.) I dug out my Coast Guard gear ( knife, sextant, first generation float coat etc.) the local ship's chandlery asked if I wanted to sell them -as collectables.

>>>( is that Chris or the fish?) <br><br>Are you implying that the fish you caught are as big as you? Sounds like a fishermans story to me. You may claim to be a novice but you sure caught on in a hurry! :-)<br><br>

that or the pale, glassy eyed, gulping for air look

Mac, Your post is very much on topic. If you don't have it, improvisation is the only option. All these "native" skills are nothing more than the cutting edge technology of yesterday. My competence with a sextant is looked upon with bemusement by pleasure boaters with GPS!

Bill what happens, and I am sure you know it... The more you have fished, and the more you have caught fish, the smaller the fish get..... It seems our Chris has beginers luck. Or he is playing bait Down Under.... If he is playing bait, well Get Out of the Water Chris! ....... Mac