I’m looking for opinions on this vest. http://www.froggtoggs.com/?wading/wading_jackets#wading/wading_jackets/NTV35178/
Odd that you have not received any replies!
I have not tried this vest, but I have had two vests in my time (one was an Orvis Guide model), and three chest packs - and of course have checked out several in shops and at shows. I have only fished in PA once, at Penn’s Creek and at Fishing Creek.
so here is my $.02. If I bought this vest I would never (almost) use the bottom part, so would detach it and leave it at home. That section contains very small pockets that I have found to be useless unless you put weights in one, folded shopping bag for garbage in another, and other similar tiny items. Plus, it makes the vest too long and prone to getting wet at the bottom - along with the fly boxes therein. The fly patch quickly becomes useless, either falling off or losing flies.
As well, I find solid material vests (as opposed to mesh) too hot. If the back has a thin map section as well as a bigger ‘sweater/lunch’ section, this means the back is 3 layers of cloth - not enough ventilation for me (I am not a heavy guy so don’t ususally overheat on my own).
I (and the friends I have influenced) have changed to chest packs like these or these, because they sit better on the shoulders (and not the neck), they can be adjusted to go over a T-shirt in the summer and insulating layers in the late fall, and while they are large enough to carry what you need (with a little forethought) they are not so large that you try to carry everything you own.
I’ve been fly fishing for about 15 years. I’ve owned 3 vests, 2 chest vests and 2 chest packs in that period. And I still have not found one that I really like.
Using a lanyard has been a good move. And I carry less stuff with every year of experience I get. But finding the ideal vest is like finding the Holy Grail. The failures have been auctioned off for good causes, but I remain frustrated in this pursuit.
I have not fished with a vest in many years because I have a bad back and shoulders. When I did use them, they were great for storing stuff in but, tended to get a bit heavy. And I could not use it on my float tube because it would sit to low in the water. I stopped fishing for many years and when I was back fishing again, I started using a chest/waist pack. Much better in my opinion. Better yet is the lanyard that I fish with now. I noticed that the vest you were looking at has two zippers in the front, does the bottom half come of for using in a float tube? Or are they just two zippered pockets? I like the padded neck and if you can stop yourself from over filling it, I think it will serve you right. I don’t know what kind of water you will be fishing but, if you are Bluelining for Native Trout, I think a vest is overdoing it and would go with a laynard. If you or using a pontoon, then you should have pockets on it and I would use them. I would however use the vest if you are wading large waters and you move from place to place and want to have your lunch and stuff with you. All this is to say that, this is all my opinion and not the opinion of others. One more thing. I have also taken to the sling packs. I was given one and actually love it and use it in conjunction with my laynard. This seems to work best for the type of fishing I do.
I don’t know about the vest but I have used Frogg Toggs and Dri Ducks for many years. They are great for the price. I have one rule; when the Dri Duck rain gear is more duct (tape) than dry, buy a new set.
As for vests, I have to agree with some of the other comments. I have not found the right one, yet. I do have a “fishing” pack I like but, it is not big enough for all the stuff I like to carry.
Thanks for the replies. Still haven’t decided on a vest. I have some chest/backpacks including a Filson, Orvis and another I can’t remember the name of, and they all have positives and negatives. I also have some vests like L. L. Bean and Fishpond. I haven’t yet found one that is perfect for everything. I currently have a L.L. Bean vest, which has served me well. I also like the Orvis Tac-L. My problem is that I carry too much stuff and need to eliminate a lot of crap. Below are links to two of them.
http://www.filson.com/products/foul-weather-fly-fishing-vest.16002.html
http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/54752?feat=9963-GN2&attrValue_0=Ash Bark&productId=904414