vests, lanyards, fanny packs
- This topic has 19 replies, 18 voices, and was last updated Jul 17, 2009 at 3:57 am by
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I also use a vest more than my chest pack. I just like to carry to much stuff with me. It always seems like I left something behind when I use the chest pack.
I just don’t feel right unless my back and neck ache after about ten minutes with my vest on. That thing must weight 20lbs its mainly filled with snacks, cigars, drinks, matches , extra matches, back up cigar, more drinks and snacks. Sometimes I put some fishing stuff in it. 😀
Started with a vest then moved to a fanny, spent quite awhile with a chest pack and now use a backpack. Carry everything I need to fish and then some. I keep a days worth box in my pocket for quick changes.
Im a backpack man myself. Great for hiking into some of WV’s remote streams and can carry most anything without putting to much strain on the body.
I’ve tried a variety of systems, but what I have used for a while, and will probably stick with, is a chest pack using the sling. I like how you can easily carry it behind you out of the way, but bring it around front when you need it.
I used the Fishpond Blue River for several years. Love the pack, but it was just a bit to small for the 4 flyboxes I usually feel the need to carry. I just got a Fishpond Waterdance pack, and it is perfect for what I need. Plenty of room for the fly boxes, and everything else I need. Plus, it has a couple of water bottle holders built in, and I use one to carry my water filter. The only thing it does not have room for is my raincoat…
I’ve been carrying a lanyard for years now. It really is the best way for me to keep my tools close at hand.
Over the past couple of years I’ve left my vest behind and usually wear my Patagonia Vest Pack leaving the vest front panels off.
The biggest decision for this is that I like to carry my DSLR and it is impossible to do that with a vest. It also give me room to carry everything thing that I need for a day on the water including lunch, stove, water, fly gear, etc.
Recently I got a Recycled Waders Messenger Creel and I’m really impressed so far. The DSLR has a place along with anything else I might want to carry. I’ll be carrying this for a week in Colorado next month and looking forward to seeing how it works out.
Filson foul weather. It’s like the strap vest only it weighs 100 pounds more, 200 pounds when wet. I don’t know why, it’s more like a bad habit now.
Rolf
Trout Fishing: Any vest that works due to the load of crap that I carry.
Steelhead: Simms Dry Creek Flats Pack. I don’t wear it as a chest pack – just open up the belt as wide as possible and sling it over the shoulder. I’m usually layered up so much that a vest or chest pack (worn traditionally) is too snug. I can just swing the pack from my back to my chest easily. I also carry only about 1/3 the stuff I bring when trout fishing. Plenty of room when I pull out the inserts.
Striper Flats fishing: I fish Cape Cod flats a lot. This involves walking as much as 5-6 miles/day on flats that are, or will be, covered. I wear a Patagonia dry back pack (I think it’s the old style Stormfront – if that’s not it then it is very similar to the one they sell now under that name). Totally waterproof so I can carry a camera, rain jacket, water bottle, GPS, etc. Also, if you get a lot of air trapped into it the pack can double as a quasi floatation device. You see, on these flats it’s so easy to get surrounded by deep water on a flood tide; you really have to pay attention to the topography at low tide and god help you if you get trapped in a fog bank. Having this waterproof bag has helped tremendously when you’re up to your neck in water or have to doggy paddle a hundred feet across a depression. The Simms Dry Creek pack is not waterproof (at least mine isn’t).
lanyard = making my own and will start to market them soon.
backpack to hold all gear and to use as mother ship. if i can put it down on rock or bank then i’ll put what i need in pockets or small orvis chest pack.
vests collect dust in my closet.
After using vests and chest packs of a couple different types, it occurred to me that it wasn’t that they didn’t offer the right options, but rather that I was carrying too much junk.
When I started out years ago, the junk hanging from the lanyard tended to snag my fly line. My line management is better now, so I could probably avoid trouble, but first impressions can be indelible.
I got a vest but felt like an old fogie wearing it, plus fishing from boats I found I preferred some sort of bag. So I fished with a Mountainsmith waist pack for a few years and I liked being able to wear it around the waist, or sling it over the shoulder, or drop it on the floor of the boat.
Lately I prefer walking and wading, and have found that I have trouble getting my fly boxes in and out of the bag when the waist belt is snug. So I have switched back to the vest, where my fly boxes are easily accessible. In order to make the load bearable I try not to cover EVERY contingency – for example, I don’t bring the extra spool or reel. Also I dangle a water bottle from my wading belt using a carabiner, instead of putting bottle in the vest.
For boat fishing though I still prefer a bag at my feet.
in 35 years, I have used and purchased lots of vest.
Columbia’s of all sort and arrangements
Filson’s, Foul Weather vest hanging in closet
FishPond vest
Chest packs, (hate them all) get in my way
Fanny Packs, currently using Fishpond Waterdance pack and it’s a love affair so far ;DYeah chest packs just seem to get line caught on them, are no good if spey casting and make it impossible to see your feet.
I’m working on my own lanyards that i plan to sell on my new site (coming soon)
I’ll share with y’all when i’m past the prototype stage.
my sultry neighbor likes to wear the prototype as a charm bracelet during sundowners. not sure why.
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