What kind of vest/pack do you carry?

[slivers86]

I'm in the market for a new pack - the vest is a lot of clutter for small streams.

I'm thinking a chest pack or a sling, but unsure. Whats everyone use? What do you like? What have you tried you dislike?

[coppershot]

Used a bunch of different vests over the years and decided I could downsize all the clutter so went to a hip sack. I used this for a season and found I needed a bit more room as I was always leaving stuff behind, so I went with a chestpack. It's a William joseph access. It fits lots of gear and on multi day hikes I can throw on a back pack to carry extra junk. My buddy uses a Fishpond shooting star and likes it a lot. It's a chestpack/backpack combo that you can take apart and use each part separately.

[Flieguy]

I fish tiny streams in the bush a lot, and I love my chest pack. I can carry a couple small boxes of flies, plus the fly compartment of the pack and I have more than enough. I also carry all the accessories plus bear spray on the belt, a fire starter and matches (in a waterproof capsule), and a line wrangler.
http://www.smithcreek.co/trash-fish.php

http://fishpondusa.com/product/detai...chest-pack/185

[Darren N]

I'm not sure which category my pack fits under but it is a back pack with chest pockets. Carry's alot of stuff. Almost too much as on 8 hr fishing days I can feel the weight. My friends raz me about my pack but funny thing is I'm the go to guy if they are missing something or run out.

I hate being on the river wishing I had something so I pack everything i think i should need.

[rycoma]

same here back pack/ chest pack combo thing. I love it though and I can take it apart and use them seperatly

[Okotokian]

If I started fishing now I might get something different, but my fly vest still serves its purpose so I see no point in spending more. Frankly, I also like it because it doesn't get in the way of casting or netting, you can get at all the pockets separately, the nipper and foreceps are right there.... I'd be worried about opening a chest pack in mid stream and having stuff fall out.

[nbbarnes]

I was going to ask the forum the same question this off season. I have both a larger chest pack as well as a small one. Both work great but i find them in the way at the worst times. My vest has many pockets that I tend to over fill and it gets to heavy. So, i am going to try a smaller vest or a waist system. My only concern is attaching my net. Because of past injuries to my shoulders, i have a hard time reaching behind my neck to re attach the net.

[jeprli]

I find a waist pack does it for me, on longer trips i also bring my backpack. But for most outings waist pack does the job. If it gets heavy while hiking i can always strap it over my shoulder and wear it as a sling pack. Don't really like to have stuff hanging in front of me while fishing.
Patagonia has a nice waist pack, used simms for a while but i prefer patagonia one. It is a tad bit smaller but fit and finish seem to be ahead of simms.

My 2 cents

[Coreyh]

I bought a Kennebec Switchpack from LL Bean last summer. I love it compared to the vest I was using prior. It works great day pack for the trips where you have to hike in to your fishing spot, then you just switch the pockets to the front when you start fishing, Highly recommended.
http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/76464...ec-switch-pack

-C

[lannie]

Fly vest most of the time. Hip sack for salt. Quite often i put a small box of fly's in my pocket with a leader and 1 roll of tippet. That is the best when i don't have anything hanging.

[kilgoretrout]

Just remember the bigger it is the heavier it will be... ie... human nature to fill it up, personally prefer the fish pond bags but their are lots of good ones...remember... less is more...more or less

[Fishy]

Pricey but totally worth it. I received it as a gift and I am very grateful for it. I had used a classic fishing vest for 12 years and once I had the new pack/ vest combo with magnetic pockets, I was shocked at how well it worked.

http://www.williamjoseph.net/gear.php?userChoice=Exodus

I do lots of walking/ hiking so the pack vest combo made the most sense. If you want to loose the pack, just take it off and use the vest.

Love it.

[rycoma]

I have an exodus series one with zippers. Such a well built piece. One of the zippers self destructed they replaced it and sent it back no shipping.

[Off in the Bushes]

I had a chest pack and sold it. I did like the idea of not seeing my feet all the time when walking and wading. I stumble around like a learned to walk yesterday, as it is and that only made it worse. Plus it was always in the way when in the belly boat and it made harder if I choose to wear a PFD.

[Heron]

I have been down the path of ridiculous... Loading up my vest with too much of everything. I am on the way to embracing the less is more theory, taking out a significant amount of the stuff I use to carry around. I am still able to fit a light rain coat and lunch. Flys are my weakness. Still like the vest. If I was doing a serious hike I would like the weight on my hips.

[grinr]

Originally Posted by slivers86

I'm thinking a chest pack or a sling, but unsure. Whats everyone use? What do you like? What have you tried you dislike?

I have William Joseph Catalyst,a chest pack,but I wear to one side like a sling.
It has a decent padded neckstrap and waist buckle,but stuffed to the gills with too much junk usually,along with both drink holders full of Gatorade or beers,I found it uncomfortable on neck.So I started wearing it to one side under my stripping arm,problem solved,very comfortable.Overall,I really like it,nice features,well organised.I wouldn't hesitate to buy another WJ product,in fact,might get the Exodus this year for extra beer capacity/full day hikes etc.

[nb180]

I have a william Joseph current chest pack love it all the room for my gear and and the necessities love the magnetic closers also thay hold flys really well impressing water tight closers dont ask how I found that out . Covers my needfrom streamers to my pontoon .

[nb180]

I have a william Joseph current chest pack love it all the room for my gear and and the necessities love the magnetic closers also thay hold flys really well impressing water tight closers. Covers my needfrom streamers to my pontoon .

[chidders]

Back pack all the way. Nice to be able to put as much or little as you want it in it, easy to take off for a rest or when you are fishing a run for a while. For me I will come out of the water to change flies so not having all my gear at my fingertips is no biggy, but I keep a few of the bare essentials in my chest wader front pocket.

[JReed]

None of the above. I use a North face day pack that can hold my waders, 4 piece fly rod and all my fly boxes and accesories. Just a regular old backpack really.

Been thinking about splurging and getting this beauty. Yes it is expensive, but it's bad a**: http://www.patagonia.com/us/product/...vest?p=48365-0

[HatchMatcher]

Big CO2 inflatable vest filled to the brim every day. Pointless and heavy and clumsy. Butttt it puts my mind at ease lol.

[BigSky]

It kinda depends on where/when I'm fishing. If it's a day long trek through the bush I'll wear a backpack/chest pack combo. If I'm out late at night for a couple hours I'll wear a sling pack (comfortable and out of the way). As an old timer often often says: you only really need AT MOST 10 flies to catch trout in a given river at any given time. Of course, I still carry way more than that!

[Lornce]

It really depends where I am fishing, On larger rivers I use a vest on small streams its usually one of my my Hardy Bags which I rally love. If it hot I end up with a creel, nice for popping in a couple of fly boxes water etc.

[Taco]

Keep this thread going boys, I need the reminder to get ahold of Uber about his Fishpond Tundra

[fish gunner]

A friend passed away many moons ago , I was given his LL bean fly vest .I seldom fish open water without it. We learned Kootaney lake together .Rip Bradly D.

[kinwahkly]

orvis sling pack

[pipercub17]

https://umpqua.com/packs-and-bags
Started out 15 years ago with a columbia vest and its still going strong today
But 2 years ago got the simms head waters back pack and chest pack
I love it ! Holds lots of gear and is very comfortable
But this year I plan on getting one of the new umpqua vests and will be dedicated as
My cutty/bull trout vest

[chucky]

Any one used the Filson strap vest?

(http://www.filson.com/products/fly-f...taProduct=aa13).
Looks study and quite minimal, but quite expensive...

[Bow flyman]

Ditto on the William joseph chest pack. I really find it functionally useful. One of the best flyfishing accessories I have ever purchased.

[Lornce]

Originally Posted by chucky

Any one used the Filson strap vest?

(http://www.filson.com/products/fly-f...taProduct=aa13).
Looks study and quite minimal, but quite expensive...

I have one, use it for Steelhead trips. Nice when you end up wading deep. Doesn't fit a lot of stuff but very nicely made.