Looks like you guys had a blast and awesome pictures. I hope to be able to come participate in the next Gathering.
The handle material on the Special Run knife really has some nice color to it.
outdoorsfan, is there any chance of you posting a thread with details on your fishing kit?
Sure, I will do a post of both kits when i get a chance to snap some pics. As I mentioned in response to kyturkey's question about this, my thinking in relation to a "survival" fishing kit is that food is a pretty low priority on the list of things that you need to stay alive so try and keep the gear as minimal as possible. The orange tube kits are made from drinking straws (I think I grabbed a handful from a doughnut shop because they have those "larger gauge" straws for their foo-foo coffee) cut to around 2.5". I pinched one end of the tube and sealed it with a lighter. Into the tube went the following:
(2) #10 Eagle Claw Aberdeen Hooks
(2) Small Split Shot
(12') 8# Suffix Siege Mono
(1) Dry Fly
These were actually fairly easy to pack (made a small coil with the line, slipped that partially into the tube and then placed the other items on top and slid the whole works in). JDS1 actually had a really good idea for these, he suggested emptying the kit and re-sealing the end for use as an improvised float, which I think would work well.
We also discussed improvised techniques and gear. I made some primitive hooks from wood (gorge hooks and "J" style) along with using found items such as safety pins, clothes hanger wire, paper clips, etc. and using gutted paracord for a handline or trot line. I wanted to make a fishing spear but we were all having such a great time visiting (and trying to start fires....man, it was not easy!).
For a larger kit, there are some specific things I do like to include and I will elaborate a bit on those in my upcoming post. I would say also that, in general, I would avoid putting any kind of soft plastic baits into a kit as they tend to degrade over time and can ruin other items they come into contact with.
