Question Never Answered

OK, I just took inventory, 1 mesh vest, 1 chest vest, 1 chest/fanny combo, two strap vests, two sling packs, and three fanny packs. Oh and two satchels. I don't think I will ever decide on the best way to carry my gear.

I do know though that I don't like chest vests or any thing in the way of my arms and hands while fishing so they are out. The sling pack just isn't built the way I would like. the mesh vest is too big for me so maybe a smaller size. The strap vests are OK but I am not crazy about them. I prefer the fanny packs but they don't work well in a float tube (everything has to be moved to another option) or deep wading. The fly fishing satchel is a pain, but the one made out of plastic bottles is actually a favorite.

So what to try next? Perhaps a sale?

What you need is a minion, to follow you around and carry your stuff for you. All the evil geniuses have them.

A friend made me a lanyard that contains my leader material, shot and other assorted items. That and the pockets of my float tube do the job. When wading I usually pick a couple of boxes inside my waters and am usually good with that.

The best thing to hold your gear in is a kayak! The ultimate fishing machine!

PanFisher, I've been kind of following your journey. Started out with vest. Tried some chest vests. Tried some fanny packs. Have given away all iterations so far, either to a kid or friend or to a charity auction. I think I am headed back to a vest. Sigh!

If I need the kitchen sink, I've got a vest. But I've gotten down to a little 15-dollar satchel from Bass Pro. It holds 3 small fly boxes, leaders, indicators, my epi-pen (ugh), a small stringer, and a camera without much bulk. Nippers on a zinger, a magnetic fly patch, and hemostats all on the outside and it is set up perfect for 99% of the fishing I do! I have what I need for a morning or evening on the water with minimal bulk.

I can also easily take the fly boxes out, switch them to little Plano boxes with jigs and bobbers, and go crappie fishing with my spinning gear. Or put a water bottle and GPS unit in and go hiking!

I'm going to try something new. At our local Military Surplus Store, they have a sale on Grenade Vests. I remember these from my time in S.E. Asia, and they have a ton of pockets. I going to see how one will work as a fishing vest.

Right now, I am using my old ALICE pack. It holds lots of stuff, but some of it is hard to access without removing the pack. They are still one of the best packs ever designed.

In my kayak, I have attached several surplus ammo boxes to hold gear. They are water-tight and hold lots of stuff.

DG nailed it with the minion suggestion. Too many mornings I've waited on the shore line just to finish my coffee before stepping into the river. The minion could hold the coffee as well as wear the gear in a vest.

In lieu of the minion, I have chosen a wader length vest and given away all the other stuff. That works best for me. Your mileage may vary.

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Originally Posted by Gigmaster

I'm going to try something new. At our local Military Surplus Store, they have a sale on Grenade Vests. I remember these from my time in S.E. Asia, and they have a ton of pockets. I going to see how one will work as a fishing vest.

Right now, I am using my old ALICE pack. It holds lots of stuff, but some of it is hard to access without removing the pack. They are still one of the best packs ever designed.

In my kayak, I have attached several surplus ammo boxes to hold gear. They are water-tight and hold lots of stuff.

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GIG, Where do you mount the 50??

What Uncle Jesse said....

"A friend made me a lanyard that contains my leader material, shot and other assorted items. That and the pockets of my float tube do the job. When wading I usually pick a couple of boxes inside my waters and am usually good with that."

oldfrat - Yep, that's the journey alright.

gigmaster - Yep, got one of those two -> An Advanced Elements inflatable kayak, had it out last weekend.

quivera kid - Funny how a cheap satchel kind a works well. My expensive one designed for Fly Fishing has so many pockets and gadgets it weighs a ton and and doesn't sit well on the shoulder, but the cheap one made out of plastic bottles works quite well. I may just stick with it and get rid of the rest.

So now I sit staring at the collection trying to decide which one I stay with and what to get rid of. Like oldfrat said there are a number of good worthy people who might need to try one thing or another. :) I need to finally decide what works for me.

Perhaps a tilly hat with a few pockets. hmmmmm :)

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Originally Posted by Daniel J

Perhaps a tilly hat with a few pockets. hmmmmm :)

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That brought back memories of Gaddaout Gaddis (The flying fisherman from the 50's) with his Bass poppers hooked in his hat :) Not a bad idea, maybe we should try it, Proper Lanyard/Hat combination might be just the ticket!

I think part of it is you just have too many decisions to make to be entirely satisfied. I remember when I started all I could afford was the cheapest mesh vest I could find and for years was just plenty happy with that. But then over the years you start to accumulate more gear and first you have to pick which one is right for that particular day then while you're out in the back of your brain is the constant nagging that maybe this wasn't the right vest/bag/satchel/minion so you can never be totally happy with it. Maybe the answer is to just give all but 1 item away and accept that this is my fishing gear. (maybe I'll try that)

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Originally Posted by PanFisher

That brought back memories of Gaddaout Gaddis (The flying fisherman from the 50's) with his Bass poppers hooked in his hat :) Not a bad idea, maybe we should try it, Proper Lanyard/Hat combination might be just the ticket!

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I have a homemade foam fly patch on the back of my hat. Lots of days it is probably all I need with the combination of my lanyard with forceps, nippers, leaders, etc.

A good lanyard is all I haven't tried - I tried the "mayfly" which is a pocket on a neckstrap and even it was too much in the way. I have a Patagonia vest which is quite short and comfortable, and will do the trick till I find the lanyard.

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Originally Posted by herefishy

A good lanyard is all I haven't tried - I tried the "mayfly" which is a pocket on a neckstrap and even it was too much in the way. I have a Patagonia vest which is quite short and comfortable, and will do the trick till I find the lanyard.

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The lanyard I have is homemade. A friend in AZ made it for me, he used a leather cord, which broke within a year or so of regular use, I replaced it with a black boot lace. The rest is wood beads, large snap swivels, well placed knots and one of those spring loaded things you put on strings to adjust the length. I came up with some foam tubing and a tubular nylon strap that cushion the back of neck. Any 5 year old can make one with 10 years experience.

FYI I would NEVER put something around my neck that wouldn't break if I snagged it on a tree on a slide down a hill. The alternative is strangling.

I have never found a vest I liked after one I had ca. 1994 or so. The pockets are always wrong somehow. Same with chest packs. Designers never actually cast, as far as I can determine, so they never realize how many things line can snag on.

I use a vest in winter and switch to a Fishpond pack in the summer. Seems to work just fine.

JR

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Originally Posted by Daniel J

Perhaps a tilly hat with a few pockets. hmmmmm :)

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Terrific idea just stick a few flies on it (usually carry way too many anyway) and you can carry spare tippet material in the secret pocket (oops did I say that out loud). I am personally liking the Minion idea, all mine now have girlfriends and have no time to go fishing with the old man.

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Originally Posted by DG

FYI I would NEVER put something around my neck that wouldn't break if I snagged it on a tree on a slide down a hill. The alternative is strangling.

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I won't argue with that and the boot lace will not break but the little plastic thing that holds it together would break on the shock of trying to hold me. Strange you should mention that, I have preached to hotel room attendants for years not to wear lanyards for safety reasons.

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Originally Posted by bikebum

I think part of it is you just have too many decisions to make to be entirely satisfied. I remember when I started all I could afford was the cheapest mesh vest I could find and for years was just plenty happy with that. But then over the years you start to accumulate more gear and first you have to pick which one is right for that particular day then while you're out in the back of your brain is the constant nagging that maybe this wasn't the right vest/bag/satchel/minion so you can never be totally happy with it. Maybe the answer is to just give all but 1 item away and accept that this is my fishing gear. (maybe I'll try that)

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You know! That's just about what I am thinking right now. Keep the Pop Bottle Satchel in the trunk of the car for those spur of the moment stops and the cheap strap vest for other times. I believe I just have to decide that is what works :)