how do you pack your gear?
When going on a fishing trip, how do you pack your gear? On an extended trip? or a day trip? I'll go first.
On an extended trip I take a huge duffel bag my wife gave me and fill it full of waders, wading boots, vest, wading staff, reel cases and rod tubes. When I get where I'm going, I just grab the duffel and head to the nearest stream. Of course what ever it is that I'm wanting first is always on bottom and its not a real good way to travel and I wish I had something better but it gets me where I'm going with all of my stuff.
On a day trip I use an old canvas creel. It holds my fly box and one of the pockets on it is perfect for my camera. I just sling it around my neck and I'm off. The rod and reel don't have a bag to be put in, so I wind up with them lying in the front seat of my truck. Again, its not a good way and I wish I had something better, but it works for me.
So, what do you do?
hNt
PS I think I'd like to use a backpack. One that holds the rod tube. I don't really hike to any of the streams I fish, except from the truck to the water, but I think that would keep all mu stuff better organized.
A Camelbak Rim Runner ...
... handles everything I need for fishing for a one day outing or a multiple day excursion.
http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/j...064_edited.jpg
This hydration model holds a first aid kit, a bag with most of the "ten essentials", TP and cleaning towels, bear spray, a bag with an assortment of furled leaders, tippet material and Tenkara lines, an aquarium net for seining, a couple reels ( if not carried in rod / reel cases ), separate fly boxes for small dries, large dries, small nymphs, large nymphs and streamers, plus a Fishpond Chest Pack with room left over for a rain jacket and fleece cap inside, plus it has mesh waterbottle holders and cord to hold a jacket on the outside.
It's always loaded and handy. Just pick out the appropriate rod / reel combinations and I'm good to go.
John
P.S. Did I mention room for a sunglasses case and snacks ?? Wallet, keys, and other small incidentals, like the camera ??
P.S.1 These Camelbak packs are bulletproof. I put close to a thousand days of fishing and hiking outings on my first one. It's still useable, but it is a bit drab from fading and the stitching for the zipper on the main compartment needs some repair. The new one ( in the pic ) does lend to better organization of the contents.