Sort of an informal poll here. The basis for my question is this…a few years ago I bought a chest pack on sale at a local hardware store that also sells a little fishing stuff. Not a great pack but OK. Price was right. The problem is I think it is too big. It gets in the way sometimes. Of course the problem might be my inept casting. Anyway, thinking of getting something different.
Who among you wears a fishing vest and who uses a chest pack? What are the pros and cons of each? Thanks for any input.
Good morning I use a vest most of the time and it works well for me. I, from time to time just put a leader walet and a fly box in my back pocket on summer evenings that I wet wade that way I can get fly dressing on my shirt as well as on my vest. lol
For trout fishing I think a vest wins hands down. By the time you load up a chest pack with all you need, it will be too bulky, will get in your way, and will block your vision when you are walking.
I use a small low profile chestpack for warmwater fishing but I don’t carry much - just a couple of boxes.
I also have one of the Wood River bags that hangs at your side. I think it is very nice. Everything is right there when you need it and it stays out of your way when you are fishing. I don’t think it is as useful as a vest but it’s not a bad compromise. I plan to use mine on plane trips when I don’t want to pack my vest.
[This message has been edited by gadabout (edited 26 April 2005).]
I use shirt pockets, and JC, while some might call me a minimalist, you have nothing to fear. My wife took down the “Beware of RW” sign in our front yard years ago.
P.S. I have had trouble finding my car on occasion, but so far I’ve been able to get home on my own.
Later, RW
“We fish for pleasure; I for mine, you for yours.” -James Leisenring on fishing the wet fly-
I use both. I use a chest pack during warm weather months, when I don’t want to carry allot and when I am targeting a specific fish. i.e. smallies.
If I’m on a warm weather excursion and I want to carry fly boxes for both crappie and blue gills then I wear the vest. Problem is the vest has shrunk at least one size over the years. G
I just bought a chest pack/backpack combo for fly fishing and it seems to work well. I especially like the fold down flap so that I have a ‘table’ to use in the midle of a stream.
Vest and a big one. Use to guiding and having what it takes to catch fish if I am away from the truck or boat. Use two carrying for three people I guess? But I know one thing. If it happens on any of the rivers I use to guide I will be ready for it. Ron
PS: I do admit I leave more and more in the truck or boat now day’s LOL
Advantages: it carries everything I want, has the drop down drawer in the front, is cooler in hot weather, and the back can be accessed while standing in water without taking off the chest vest.
Disadvantages: it carries everything I want and doesn’t force me to pare down and I can’t see my feet well while wading. I haven’t had any problem with it getting in the way of casts or other actions.
I have vests and chest packs. If I have to hike far, a chest pack like the tiny William Joseph wins hands down. And it sure fits a TON of stuff inside! That said, I hike with a Camelbak pack for my waders/boots/food/drink, but I set the pack down to fish.
I used to use a chest box and a vest. By the end of the day my shoulders felt like they were going to fall off. 2 yrs ago I went to the shirt pockets and a small fanny pack and found they would carry all I needed. Amazing how now I only carry what I need ,and feel a whole lot better at the end of the day.
[This message has been edited by Smernsky (edited 26 April 2005).]
Love my vest but to be honest I have to clean it out every once in a while or I cant lift it up anymore. Please note I said clean out … never to be confused with clean up ,wash .Last vest I had, my wife washed it 3 times to get rid of the smell and all I got back was an embarrassed look from the wife a ball of fluff and a pile of rusty zippers.I have a chest pack I use for spin fishing for smallies but to be honest it gets in the way most of the time .
No chest packs or vests for me either. Ache too much on the shoulders and back and I don’t need that much “gear” to fish with really. I have different fly boxes that are aimed toward my quarry for that particular day or trip and most of my basic needs such as the “one” box, a snipper, a hemostat, tippet, split shot, indicators, fly floatant and fishing license can all fit nicely either in the pockets or on loop connectors on my fishing shirts or my wading jacket. The only thing extra I might carry is a water bottle and that is strapped to my wading belt. ~RobJ
“The years of searching in the dark for the truth that one feels but cannot express, the intense desire and the alternations of confidence and misgivings until one breaks through the clarity and understanding are known only to him who has himself experienced them” - Albert Einstein
Now there is your ticket to fame and fortune. Design a women’s chest pack. My wife wears a pfd especially designed for women(if you know what I mean) when she goes kayaking. I’ll bet Orvis or Cabelas would sell it in their catalogs. G
Ron