I have to buy a new one. Just wondering…:rolleyes:
I am a minimalist and fight continually against the drag of Orvis and the fly fishing gods to keep my kit small. I have for the last decade used a small Filson waist pack (http://www.filson.com/fishing-waist-pack.html). Wonderful quality and the right size but I go tired of trying to get it over the waders, under the fleece and around the rain coat. Last year I switched to an Orvis shoulder pack. I got the smallest one (I got it on sale so I might be discontinued). Right size and well made. The problem I have had is that it slipped off my shoulder every minute or so. I have used contact cement to attach a piece of a yoga map to the strap and that seems help. I am still holding final judgment.
David
I switched from waist packs to sling packs a little over a year ago. My first sling pack was also an Orvis, got on sale. LOVE IT. I don’t know if its the smallest or not, all I know is it has a LOT of room for stuff! Haven’t had any issue with it slipping off shoulders or anything. Its been pretty comfortable. I like it so much, it was on sale quite a long time so I bought another one as a future back-up.
It looks like this one:
This winter I thought I would try something a bit smaller, and am basically using an Allen chest pack, but wearing the strap across the shoulder like a shoulder bag or sling pack. Its been working really well for me as well. Its not as roomy as the Orvis sling pack, but it fits everything typically need…except for a water bottle. Might be perfect for your minimalist approach.
Since I am either in my pontoon boat or on a guided drift boat / ridged framed raft, I use a larger gear bad, a Sage brand, to carry lots of ‘stuff’.
Larry —sagefisher—
I use different ways of storage, depending on what type of fishing I am doing. When trout fishing, I carry a lot of flies, so I use a vest and carry about 8 boxes of flies along with a lot of other paraphernalia, lunch a rain jacket, and a water bottle. I can’t imaging keeping it organized so I can find what I need in under an hour with any other means. For carp fishing, I use a hip pack, since I only carry one fly box. I have also carried a hip pack when fishing saltwater, but recently bought a shoulder sling pack and will try it out this summer. It should hold more water and lunch better than the waist pack that I have been using.
Ted
I bought two of the Cabela’s small bags that look like an oversized lunch box. I have one for tying and one for fishing. i switch the fishing bag stuff to suit the trip. I also use a vest to hang the essential stuff. Almost bought a sling pack from Allen Fly Fishing but just couldn’t do it! One of those Captain Kangaroo, for those of us old enough, suits would work for me!
Mike
When I fish from my kayak, I go with a minimum of equipment, basically two boxes of flies, an extra furled leader or two, 4 spools of tippet, clippers and forceps. When I fish for bass along the bank, I’ve switched to the large Sage DXL bag. It holds a ton of stuff, but with large bass flies, I like the extra room. Also, there are times when a half + mile from my vehicle, and I sure don’t want to waste my time walking back to my truck to get more flies or tippet materials.
Jim Smith
Have a regular tackle bag for reels/spools/large fly boxes. A Cortland waist pack given to me by a kindly fly shop propreitor and the usual vest. Just got a Fish Pond materials bag for my travelling tying tools/materials. Never have tried a sling pack, but they look like a practical bag.
Have a regular tackle bag for reels/spools/large fly boxes. A Cortland waist pack given to me by a kindly fly shop propreitor and the usual vest. Just got a Fish Pond materials bag for my travelling tying tools/materials. Never have tried a sling pack, but they look like a practical bag.
I have settled on a Fishpond Guide lumbar/hip bag.
It’s mostly bank fishing for me so I use this. I carry way too much stuff, but I’d rather have it and not need it than want it and wish I had it…
When I wade, I still wear a vest. Just seems right. I have been thinking about a sling pack but haven’t really found “the one” yet. I have a lanyard and have never used it.
PS. Actually, now that I look at this photo, this one has been relegated to carrying hunting stuff and I have a similar one with a drop-down foam fly patch in front.
I have a small lumbar pack i use for walking and fishing the from shore primarily for warm water fly fishing. i used it for a year or so stream fishing but every other trip or so every thing got wet from wading too deep. i switched to a Simms sling pack for trout and i like it a lot. In the Kayak i have fly box behind the seat clippers tippet and hemostats in my shirt pocket. i used to wear a vest but it got to the point after a day on the water my back was so uncomfortable it was a distraction
Not sure if you’re referring to the pack used on stream or the pack used in the car.
On stream, I use a Fishpond Waterdance pack – holds plenty, very durable, and comfortable with the weight on my hips / legs rather than back.
For carrying waders, boots, extra layers, extra fly boxes, snacks, etc. in the car, I use a Rubbermaid storage bin. They come in a variety of sizes and brands. I believe the one I have is a 14 gallon and cost less than $5. It holds everything I need for a day fishing trip, so I can grab the bin and I’m ready to go. It’s especially useful when I’m fishing with others so I don’t lose / forget something in the back of someone’s vehicle. They are also waterproof for toting wet boots home and easy to clean.
I have, for many. many years, used a Filson back pack. It sits nicely at the small of my back, holds flies for an entire trip, weighs virtually nothing, and looks good! For the forceps and clippers, and tippet, I’m trying to use a lanyard. Jury’s still out on that. Haven’t used it over a spring/summer/fall yet, so we’ll see how it does in combination with my chest port! The cord will run right over the top of it, and I can’t imagine it to be too comfortable! We’ll see! I like the idea of the shoulder bag, but it, too, would be heavier and ride right over the port.
Fishpond Waterdance pack. I found it on sale, it’s not small. I can carry plenty (really to much) gear. So I’m continually downsizing. lol
Well, I only use a gear bag when float fishing or traveling. It’s a mid-size Orvis bag I got as a present years ago. I bought my vest from Fisherman’s Warehouse several years ago. Not sure that they are still in business. It’s as good as any of the high priced vest and loaded with gadgets I think I need when wading. I also bought a waist pack a few years ago, but I found that I always needed something that was not attached to it, so it’s not used much. So, that’s my two cents worth. See you at the MI Fish In. The AuSable was already about 4"s high and it’s raining again today.
For my gear while on the water, I?m still a vest guy. For transporting all my gear it all goes in one LARGE zippered duffel bag. Actually all but the wading boots, they have their own bag.
I was out shopping with my wife and we went into the Totes outlet. I found this little travel bag with a shoulder strap for $15 that had a main compartment big enough for two or three fly boxes and a reel. The back compartment has several pockets that are the perfect size for leaders. It has several other compartments that hold my tippet spools and other items. There is a side pocket with a velcro flap that is perfect for my floatant. The main compartment closes with rare earth magnets. I thought, this is stupid…I couldn’t get a bag this perfect for less than $60 at a fly shop. It’s been my bag of choice ever since.
So, what did you buy for your wife???
I primarily use a vest. I just find it easier to haul stuff around. The only other carrier I bring if camping is a FishPond flytying bag.