Re: Vest? Chest pack? Lanyard?
As, already been stated wisely... "there's as many opinions on this, as there are fly fishermen"! Couldn't agree, more on THAT!
But.........."'since ya' asked".
After 30 years of turning various waters to beer foam, trying to get a fly out further than 3 feet, I've used everything from the lanyards to vests, to chest packs, and back again to a vest.
The chest packs have one big advantage, I always liked, over everything else: When standing out, in the middle of a rushing stream, trying to change a spool or tie on a fly you always had this "nice, convenient, drop down instantly- little table" to work on. I've saved a lot of tools and a few reel spools, because this little table gave me something to use when my 10 thumbs couldn't keep a-hold of whatever I was doing at the time!
Of course, it also put everything I ever needed on any given trip, right there in front of me. When zipped closed, there wasn't a single tool hanging and jangling, out in the open, "making me sound like a gunfighter walking down main street to meet my arch enemy".
But, due to neck surgery a while back, I had to hang up my trusty pack and go back to a vest again. I chose the "Sage Brush Tech Vest" by Fishpond. It's a mesh vest and has more than enough room to carry the miniature fly shop I always insist on carrying with me!
I still walk a great deal, on most days fishing and frankly, as for the "lanyards" I never could see where to stick my rain gear, a shed sweater, or, my water and lunch, on one of those "Montana Neckties"!?
But, like has also, already been stated................ "If you stick with this sport, (and I hope that you DO!), you'll end up with all, 3, anyway so try each out and see which one works best for you!!
Saint Paul-"The Highly Confused"
You cannot do a kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late.
-- Ralph Waldo Emerson