I know we have done what’s in your vest before. But I got to thinking this morning, which is dangerous for me, what do I carry that isn’t FF related. I mean we all carry flies, nippers, leaders and tippet and stuff like that, but what is one thing you always carry that is different?
I think most of us take cameras and I assume we all carry some sort of first aid kit. At least I hope you all carry one and that it is like mine, never been used. But what is one thing that you carry that has nothing to do with fly fishing?
For me the one thing that I always try to carry that has nothing to do with fly fishing is a bandana. On hot days, I dip it in the water and lay it across the back of my neck. It’s like an instant AC on the water and really makes the day more enjoyable.
So what about you?
hNt
PS I really feel sorry for you guys that are snowed in up north and I hope this gives you something to do and maybe keep the shack nasties away.
I usually carry a knife and a lighter. I don’t smoke, but I used to carry it to activate the bit of shrink tube used with the braided loops.
Since I’ve gotten away from those, I still carry it (and the knife), as a very abbreviated survival kit. No, I dont expect to ever need them, but who really expects the events that lead to survival situations? I figure the 2 hardest things to provide for myself in the woods are fire and a cutting implement. The lighter makes fire about as easy as you can get it without packing in firestarter logs, and the knife, a heavy, high-quality style is useful for a wide variety of purposes, from cutting wood to cleaning game, to using the serrated part to saw at branches.
I also usually have a bag of sunflower seeds, and, on a full day trip a bottle of water and a bottle of…something else more potent.
a water bottle that has a filter in the top. I’m standing in the water no need to carry it too. usually some river trash I never seem to remember to take it out on a regular basis.
Thanks for starting the post. I DON’T carry a first aid kit and I should. This thread will be responsible for me doing just that this year. I should also carry a small survival pack like a whistle, space blanket, matches etc.
I do carry a bottle of water, and a power bar to eat, but I should bring more. Now my vest will only weight 83 pounds.
I always carry a head band type LED light. Not so much for night fishing, which I only do on certain lakes, but on the rivers if you delay getting to your take out place, it can get really dark really fast. Nighttime on the river is not a safe place without a light. Also, I carry TP in a ZipLock bag, water, camera, butane lighter (I don?t smoke but a fire is nice sometimes). Then there is the sunscreen and the insect repellant, a must have. I also carry a small multi tool that has 4 screwdrivers (2 sizes of straight slot and 2 sizes of Phillips head) and pliers and wire cutters. A small box or two of raisins as a snack come in handy at times as well.
[ul]
[li]Spark bar
[/li][li]Flint and steel with char patches and tinderstarter
[/li][li]Small snake bite kit
[/li][li]Knife, and gerber tool
[/li][li]Camera
[/li][li]Tp
[/li][li]Plastic bags for trash
[/li][li]First aid kit
[/li][li]gps
[/li][li]Cell phone
[/li][li]Small survivle kit (compess, whistle, waterproof matches, tampons(great fire starter), razer, tripwire, chem light)
[/li][li]Flask of Whiskey, couple of onix or cao cigars with cutter or punch
[/li][/ul]
A camera, small flashlight, lighter, survival poncho, small roll of 550 cord (25ft), Bandaids, and a Swiss Army Champ pocket knife. I carry a folding knife on my wading belt as well for larger chores. I have a light, fire, shelter, and bandaids/small knife w/pliers for removing hooks:^)
A first aid kit, great idea. Ive got one in my golf bag, never occured to put one in my vest. I hope to get good enough someday to add a flask and cigars, but now I’m too busy trying to fish to drink or smoke. OMG what did I just type?? This fly fishing has screwed up my priorities big time!!
I’m a bit of a minimalist when it comes to a vest. I don’t wear one any more. I carry a chest pack. My camera is in a small case around my neck and attached with velcro around my wader suspenders. I do take a small day-pack when I’m any distance from the car, which contains all of the items others have mentioned - especially snacks, water, and a rain jacket.
I don’t wear a vest anymore because I always carried too much stuff in it, so now I’ve scaled down to wearing a chest pack with only what I need for each particular trip. The not FF related item I have in my chest pack is a garbage bag. It folds up nicely, doesn’t weigh anything or take up space, has multiple uses and is always available if needed to remove trash that an awful lot of unfriendly to the enviroment people leave behind.
My bug collecting kit. You could argue that it actually is FF in that it helps identify the critters the fish might be interested in. However, it’s main purpose is to give my inner-six-year-old an excuse to tip over rocks and play in the mud when the fish aren’t biting. Sometimes, if I’m not careful enough, I actually learn something useful too:rolleyes:.
I was like Clay… my vest weighed 83 pounds… I eliminated the vest a couple years ago, and now use a small converted Filson belt pack that has everything I really need to fish all day, and weigs maybe a few ounces. It’s worn on an over the shoulder sling-style strap. I nearly always carry a staff, and occaisionally a net. If I have any not FF stuff, it’s another small similar pack with a lunch in it, and 99% of the time, I’m packin’ iron, on accounta how I’m a careful fella…ModocDan
My good friend at Cameraland gifted me a Swarovski flask last year which replaced a plainer, simpler one I had carried for years. It is a very neat thing… Speaking of neat!
I often carry a largish handgun because if you have firewater you should have guns, right?
Actually the handgun is for bears and is a major pain, often.
art
Camera, small utility knife, clif bars, water, gps (sometimes), and bear spray (sometimes). If I’m going to be farther away from my vehicle, I take a back pack that also includes rain jacket, more food, and my first aid pack.
GPS comes in handy when I’m fishing a PA area. I’ve setup waypoints to let me know if I’m approaching the boundry of the access area.
