Steven!! VERY GOOD POINT!! A heavy vest IS a contributor. I sort of forgot about that one because I gave up on vests years ago...probably within a few weeks of my starting to fly fish. I used a small shoulder bag for years. I did break down and got a Filson two years ago. 16003-main-341.jpg I do have to be very mindful about how much stuff I put into it. The only reason I got it was because I needed something to pack a lunch or snack in (I'm diabetic), as well as foul weather gear on those iffy days. It's easy to get it jam packed full but I try to stick with the absolute minimum on any outing. I clean it out and put in only what I know I'm going to use on any given day. On shorter outings, the vest stays in the car. I just put one small box of flies and tippet in my pocket and all of my "tools" (nippers, forceps, floatant, hook hone) are on a lanyard.
It never ceases to amaze me, when a friend asks me to hold their vest for a second, how heavy the vest are. I know I wouldn't last long in them without a full out back pack frame. LOL
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