Vest -vs- Chest Pack

[72Twenty]

So, what do you primarily use? I still use the same Sage vest I've had for many years. I've always used vests and haven't tried a chest pack yet.

[Free Range Lobster]

conterra buttpack actually works really well.
along with wader pockets.

[wendigo]

I added other, since pretty much all of my fishing these days is done with a 5' diameter net = not so much use for a chest pack or vest. Actually the freezer stock got pulled out last night to thaw, will be in the brine tonight and smoked tomorrow along with some duck, gotta make room for the kings starting to trickle in. mmmmm, smoked salmon.

[schwerty]

Chest pack....no question?

[shmoesmith]

dude, all you need is a multi-tool like a leatherman, and a small box of flies(the kind with maybe 6 compartments) in your chest pocket and maybe some extra leader and you are golden.

[DamRepublican]

i have the combo of both, fishpond gear is the best because they have huge storage like a chestpack with the versatility of a vest with attached storage in the rear, but I like to do more hiking to and wading than from a boat.

[fez]

http://www.rockcreek.com/images_products/b_item8020.jpg
ive had the patagonia pack vest for a couple years now and will never use anything else again.

they seem to call it a vest/pack hybrid, but it really is more of a chest pack with a detatchable backpack. you can carry a full days gear in the back (lunch, water, spare gear, rain coat). plus carry all your fishing gear in handy pockets in the chest pack.

the only thing i would like is a bit of a waist belt. sometimes if you are boulder hopping the pack flops around some.

[Pow4Brains]

I stopped using vests and chest packs and went to one of these.

http://www.simmsfishing.com/images/products/zoom/pu-dlb5_zoom.jpg

I found with a vest or chest pack my flyline was always getting caught up in them (mostly when streamer fishing or when you have to have a lot of line out for long casts when lake fishing or on big water) or the stuff on them (i.e. clipper, hemo, etc...) I slide my net down the back and make sure the belt is tight. It seems like my shoulders don't get as tired and I like the back support. I won’t go back to any else.

[cj001f]

ive a patagonia chest pack that works as a glorified fanny pack. nice to organize stuff.

[TS Quint]

Cheapo Gander Mountain Vest. Seems to hold more than I need and does the trick. If I have to hike, I throw my waders, lunch...etc. into my pack and lash the pole to it until I reach my destination.

[KIRinPNW]

I just bought a William Joseph sling style chest pack. I think its called the equinox. I try to go with little as possible but like to have the ability to carry an extra layer which I haven't been able to do in a vest.

Most importantly, I can put about 3-4 Budweisers in the back.

[dk_alaskan]

i use an old TNF day pack and a mesh Orvis vest. I don't like the bulky way my vest feels when i stuff the pockets. I keep most of my gear in the pack and drop it close to where i am fishing, load up my vest with the bare essentials then fish. I tried the chest pack but it just seemd to get in the way.

[kokomas]

i use an older orvis manpurse thingy, its basically a hip pack. i like that its easy to grab, carries enough stuff, and is out of the way when i am fishing. i don't like that i have to grab it, open it up and take stuff out when i need to make a tippet change. i've been looking around at a bunch of the alternatives out there (orvis sling pack, william joseph sling pack) but don't see exactly what i want. i think there is still room for improvement in the sling pack. does anyone here know the guys at William Joseph or FishPond so i can talk with them about my gripes? maybe a real sling pack can come out of this

[schwerty]

Where the hell is 720?

[DeeAre]

It's all about the fanny pack

[Fatfish]

Day pack and shirt or jacket and wader pockets for me.

[Lexi-Bell]

Where the hell is 720?

Yeah no shit igband & I were contemplating this the other day, hasn't logged on since july 2...

[Mary Jane Hottie]

I put my stuff in a boat. All my stuff. Dogs, friends, flies, grill, venison steaks, coolers, kids, and a few fish on occasion.

[sal the salmon]

what the hell ever happened to a backpack?

rock the backpack, u wont regret it. we are fishing for gods sake not trying to get pimped by the system. get urself a gaint container of coffee, some deer jerky,trail mix, and some mangos and tamari almonds, some choclates like snickers, water, ur box of berkly power worms n eggs, some pliers, camera (but thats on the neck), little drybag with dry compressed clothes for when shit hits the fan) first aid kit, 10lb maxima, 12 lb maxima, 15 lb maxima, 30lb maxima, split shot sink tips thingybobs, leftovers from camp, the spice jar, and the piece. take all remaining space and fill with whatever fuckin beer u like (i dont want to get into i drink anything but recomend alot of it so u stay hydrated)

dont worry u dont need to stash ur rain gear in ur pack ur fuckin wearin it already kiddo. now go stand nut deep in a river with no fish while the mountain is gettin blasted with pow and ur left with 33 degree water drippin in down ur back because the wind blows it into ur hood no matter what. oh u think ur havin a good time yet.... no because the fuckin wind just changed directions and now ur guides are filling up with ice and u just snagged ur 4th fly in 15 minutes and cant feel ur finger tips to tie the fuckin knot.

fit that in ur fanny pack

[2nd mate]

I use a camelbak M.U.L.E. I can attach 1 or 2 rod tubes so long as they have a strap or handle. I can also fit 2 reels and 2 small fly boxes in the main compartment. In the smaller compartment is tippet, leader and waterproof olympus camera. Then tied to the outside I have knife pliers and tools. Works great but I have stopped filling the bladder all the time to save lbs. I just bring bottles for shorter trips.
http://stk.tetongravity.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=85711&stc=1&d=1290168572

holds 5 beers good too.

[GiBo]

I've been using a Cloudveil chestpack this late summer/fall. I like the ease of having a little platform to work from when you open the main compartment. I have hung up on it a few times, but it hasn't been too bad in that respect.

My buddy has the William Joseph chestpack/backpack combo and I think I'd go with that next. I have to take a backpack or hip pack for beers/lunch/jacket etc... It'd be nice just the have the one piece of gear.

[powking12]

I'm in for "other". Waist pack is perfect for me. I can carry two nalgenes of water, food, 3 fly boxes, strap my rainjacket on if I need. I loosen and spin it in front and I have a (kinda low) work station.

[Professor]

I have used one of these for about 5 or 6 years.

http://www.buzzillions.com/reviews/william-joseph-fishing-pack-satchel-reviews

Call it a "murse", a "european handbag" or a "satchel", I really dont care. The only complaint I have about it is that William Joseph doesnt make it anymore, nor do they make any sling bags that are this big anymore. Mine could really use being replaced :(

[Sagamoron]

I go with the backpack(with a hyrdation bladder) for beverages and extra layers, a lanyard around my neck for nippers and tippet and stuff fly boxes in the front shirt pockets. One dry/nymphs and the other with streamers. Vest have too many pockets and I usually waste a ton of time trying to find my crap.

[igBand]

Getting back to Schwerty's question...where is 720? Too busy slaying WYO pigs?? Skiing?

[Lone Star]

dont worry u dont need to stash ur rain gear in ur pack ur fuckin wearin it already kiddo. now go stand nut deep in a river with no fish while the mountain is gettin blasted with pow and ur left with 33 degree water drippin in down ur back because the wind blows it into ur hood no matter what. oh u think ur havin a good time yet.... no because the fuckin wind just changed directions and now ur guides are filling up with ice and u just snagged ur 4th fly in 15 minutes and cant feel ur finger tips to tie the fuckin knot.

fit that in ur fanny pack

:yourock: :yourock: