Fan-er Waist Pack Suggestions

[briansII]

Please bear with me. I'm going to suggest something from far, left field. This may sound crazy, but I'm one of those outside the box thinkers.

How about a mesh, fishing vest? Now hear me out, before you totally discount it. It's light, breaths well, holds a ton of stuff, everything is within easy reach, organized, keeps everything dry when deep wading, and it's relatively comfortable. It doesn't limit vision and get in the way with casting, like a chest pack. It keeps things out of the water, unlike a lumbar pack. The downside is, you'll be the only fly fisher, other than me, that uses a vest.

I have all three. 3-4 vests, 2 fanny packs(fishing specific), and a couple chest packs. I used the chest pack last weekend, and it reminded me why I don't like em'. For minimalist, I like a fishing shirt with bellow pockets. For everything else, I like a light, mesh vest. Currently using a 3 year old Simms I bought on closeout. I carry a LOT of stuff. After time, I know what is in what pocket, and it takes 0 effort to find anything I need.

.....yeah, it's probably a stupid idea.

briansII

[rkfiske]

Actually I have used a vest rather frequently and I definitely think there are merits to one but they tend to not fit me well (see chris' post about my stature). I do think that vests are still quite relevant but they just don't seem to work for me. I just went out for a couple hours this morning with my small lumbar and I liked it. I think all I need to do is find one that carries a bit more then I'm golden!!

[midger]

I've never found a fanny/lumbar pack that worked for me. Accessibility is key and I don't like reaching behind me to find things. I've also used a chest pack. I don't like how far they stick out and how they can intrude upon casting, snag flylines, and in general, just aren't that comfortable to me.

I do have several vests and often wear a Columbia Henry's Fork when steelheading--It's regular heavy fabric and has the extra shoulder padding that really helps when carrying a heavy vest all day long. I also have 2 of the mesh vests that hold a lot and allow air to circulate so that you don't roast on the water. Vests have their places.

Most often though, I wear a cotton fishing shirt with 2 large bellows pockets on each side. These shirts are lightweight and they flat out hold a lot of stuff. The pockets are divided on the leftside, so here I carry a camera, sunglasses and cheaters, 8 spools of tippet, shot, thermometer, hemostats and zinger. Right side pockets carry 4 flyboxes, pen light, pocket knife, a couple granola bars in the top pocket, and several types of indicators, liquid and dry floatants in the bottom pocket. I had the wife modify these shirts so there is a net attachment point beneath the rear collar for when I carry a net (which if I don't expect fish over 20 inches doesn't happen often).

I just clip a water purifying bottle using a carbiner to a belt loop.

Nice we have all the choices of what to carry our "stuff" in eh?

[lucfish]

Brian II: The Simms mesh vest is what I have. I've had it about 3 years also and bought it on a closeout too! I've always liked it. You can put more "stuff" in there than you could possibly use in a day or 3 of fishing, it's got room for a couple of water bottles (there not that heavy) and even a sandwich if I'm so inclined. Works fo me.

[RatFaceMcD]

I have an Orvis Safe Passage waist and chest pack. Much like Midger, I wear a fishing shirt that holds most of what I need quickly while on the water - the pack carries the rest. You should take a look at one. http://www.orvis.com/store/product.aspx?pf_id=96YY&dir_id=758&group_id=781&cat_id=5093&subcat_id=6670

[briansII]

While browsing a Cabelas catalog last night, and ran across this.....



It's on sale.

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templ ... hasJS=true

....maybe one this size will make my butt look smaller?

briansII