Welcome to the board, Jill!! The answers you got so far appear to me to be spot on ! < As you get to know these guys, you’ll understand :roll: > Wash it if you must (I just can’t imagine what “must” would be!!) … only please don’t hang it on a fancy little hanger in the back of your car!! Eeeewwwww!
I just wear it in the rain.
Only washing mine gets is an occassional accidental dunking…or rain:^)
Now you have gone and ticked them off, you won’t catch fish on your next outing. Or worse yet you will forget your camera, be fishing in catch and release waters and catch the biggest fish of your life time and no one will believe you. 
Eric
Unless you immediately email this to 10 of your friends of course
lol!!! Rofl!!!
Gasp! Unbeliever…heretic…
Children, please leave the room.
Oh mercy!
Actually, I wash all my hats, even the fishing hat. Some luck is best washed away.
I never really thought about washing it. However, I just transfered all of my “stuff” from the vest to a Fishpond pack (for comfort in warmer months) and since it’s empty - washing it doesn’t sound like a bad idea. Thanks Jill!!
JR
Honestly, it has never even occurred to me to wash it. I’m sure it needs it. Guess I’ll have to do it now.
First Welcome to the Board from TN:)
Second, I never really washed mine or thought about it, but i’m sure it needs it. 
Third, the people on this board are some of the most helpful people you’ll ever meet. Of course you’ll meet some of the craziest on here too.
I have to go now, the guys with the white coats are here with my medicine.
hNt
http://flyanglersonline.com/features/readerscast/rc427.php
my take on washing hunting/fishing gear
You could Woolite it.
I don’t use vests anymore though but I think I washed mine once or twice in the washer. Worked fine for me…
Simple - follow the manufacturer’s washing instructions on the label.
I feel it is cool to end the day with filthy gear, but its not good to start the day filthy.
as many time as I end up taking a dunking because of a missed step or just, well, a, stupidity…my vest keeps pretty washed. The river water and hang drying really do give it a fresh outdoor smell.
Kevin
This thread is bordering on the sacrilegious! Next to the fly/lure, how else do you get the attention of the fish without the smell of a well worn vest?..leave well enuf alone
I had a vest that I used a lot in hot weather. After several years of use without washing, it got the point where is smelled so bad that even I couldn’t stand the smell. I washed it and after a few uses the offensive clean smell was gone. My fishing mojo seemed to stay intact, as I caught still caught fish. Your results may vary.
I’ve never washed a vest but that is mainly because I don’t want to have to buy a new washer.
BTW, notice that nobody told THIS new user that SHE has to chop the wood, make the coffee, and buy the doughnuts…
Ed
I am convinced that the vest would dissolve if I put it in the washer… plus my wife once told me that if I ever put my vest in the washer, I would have to buy a new one since the old one would never get clean again.