Number one thing to have on a backcountry trip....

I wrote an article about backcountry brook trout fishing and began to wonder: what is the number one thing besides your fly fishing gear, that you don't leave behind? I always bring a sharp pocket knife or a multi-tool. Sometimes I'll bring my common sense with me as well...

A flashlight is #1 and waterproof matches is my number 2 item. I fish a lot of remote headwater streams, usually by myself. A slip up could lead to a night or 2 alone. Never had that happen, but I did let daylight slip away on me one time and had to find my way out in the dark. I've always carried a flashlight since then.

besides a flashlight,pocket knife, i like to carry a waterproof container of matches , i usally coat them in wax, because some times the waterproof comtainer is not always what it says. a emergency blanket, bambooshavings or cedar shavings for fire starter mat. also i like to have a flint and steel fire starter, i never want tocaught out in the woods without these ask me how i know.dyr frozen food of some kind.small collap. stove,compass, maps of the erea, gps, cell phone sometimes you might be in an area that you can pick up the skip.also i like to carry a poxket chain saw, made out of wire, get them from most outdoor outfitters,common sense, and fishing buddie if possiable, i do not like to backpack alone. These are among my things that stay in my backpack, along with a wilderness survial hand book. tight lines charlie

Savvy...
It goes a long way, materialistic items come a very distant second...Some are built for the wilds, others needn't bother...

Transylwader - Good answer. I like it. A little "savvy" can go a long way.

Swiss Army Knife, Multi-tool, basic first aid kit, water or way to make pure, compass and study of topography prior. Also a decent length of para cord in a bracelet.

I can't rank one thing tops. All the non fishing stuff has been critical at some point.

Flashlight, matches, multi-tool, toilet paper.

Tyler, as I have found in my travels at work, common sense ain't so common. Street smarts goes a long way and some book smarts don't hurt.

Teach, I like the paracord idea. I saw this company on Facebook the other day. Looks like they have some nice stuff.
Survival Straps

Buffalo96 those braclets are fairly easy to make. It's the same knot you would use to do a woven body fly such as Bi--h creek bug.