darrinhurst Posted August 11, 2008 Share Posted August 11, 2008 I've been thinking about getting a vest as my next purchase for this wonderful sport of fly fishing as I think that it would be easier to carry my crap around in than my tackle kit I won in a hockey tournament some years back. But, I have noticed as well a number of you wear packs instead. Do you find them more comfortable? Easier to use? Better access to your gear? Where would be a better place for me to invest my money? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
headscan Posted August 12, 2008 Share Posted August 12, 2008 Neither. Get a backpack and a shirt with a couple of big chest pockets. Leave the pack on the shore where you stop to fish and keep a fly box, tippet spool, and nippers in the shirt pockets. Vests and chest packs are just too hot to wear all the time in warm weather. If I didn't need a way to carry my lunch, water bottle, and rain jacket I don't know if I'd even bother with the back pack any more either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darrinhurst Posted August 12, 2008 Author Share Posted August 12, 2008 That's kinda what I have been doing to date, but it's a fleece vest that I wear. Gets pretty damn hot I tell ya, but it holds my stuff. I just need something to hold my gear in full time, then I just grab it throw it in the car, and then throw it on when I get to the river. You make some very good points though. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rusty Posted August 12, 2008 Share Posted August 12, 2008 I wear a lanyard with forceps on a zipper, clippers, a hook sharpener, a tie-fast, a bottle of gink, and tippet in 2X-6X. I wear my vest if I'm doing a full day because I can throw lots of stuff in it. If I'm bombing down for a few hours or fishing where I know I won't have to change it up, I throw a fishing shirt on and toss a box in it. If I'm in my boat I throw a few boxes in the pockets and I'm good to go. I like the idea of a pack because you can throw a sweater and a thermos in it for the late fall/winter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hopdrop Posted August 12, 2008 Share Posted August 12, 2008 I switched from a vest to a chest pack this year. I find the chest pack much cooler in the heat. The unexpected bonus of the chest pack is that the size (how it fits) can be adjusted easily with the straps, allowing for more layers in winter without any restrictions. On the down side, it's tough to pack lunch into it and if the front is overloaded, it’s tough to see your feet. I find fishing with a backpack on smaller streams tough, lots of putting down and picking up, on bigger water it's alright because you can kind of set up camp. All said I'm happy with the chest pack. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
strand Posted August 12, 2008 Share Posted August 12, 2008 agreed....most of the crap people carry in a vest they only use on certain streams. back pack w/ shirt pockets all the way. i use the shoulder pads to dry my hooks. used a lanyard till my girlfriend laughed at me.....so .... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EvilWeevil Posted August 12, 2008 Share Posted August 12, 2008 i use a hip pack for most everything and a lanyard if i go hiking for the day i also wear a back pack Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gil Posted August 13, 2008 Share Posted August 13, 2008 I use a vest in summer on floats where I switch between dry/streamer/nymph and want to have options. In the winter it's strictly nymphing, so I prefer to go light and carry only a small chest pack. By the way, I love Fish Ponds packs and vests. They are a bit pricey, but worth it in my opinion.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yeanpc Posted August 13, 2008 Share Posted August 13, 2008 I just got the William Joseph Solo chest pack and its great. I really recommend you that one... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darrinhurst Posted August 13, 2008 Author Share Posted August 13, 2008 I just got the William Joseph Solo chest pack and its great. I really recommend you that one... Where'd you pick it up from? How much? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yeanpc Posted August 13, 2008 Share Posted August 13, 2008 got it online from here http://www.fishwest.net/. You can also get it from Ebay. Price is around $50.00 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
headscan Posted August 13, 2008 Share Posted August 13, 2008 Fish Tales also carries William Joseph gear if you want to support the local shops. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darrinhurst Posted August 13, 2008 Author Share Posted August 13, 2008 I saw that on the William Joseph website. I was about to call them. Thanks headscan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teck71 Posted August 13, 2008 Share Posted August 13, 2008 Cabelas online is having a pack sale Watermark Caddis Chest Pack $69.00 marked down to $29.00 Watermark Drake Chest Pack 79.00 down to 29.99 William Joseph Watermark Midge Chest Pack 49.00 to 25.00 if your in the market worth a look http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/template...sp?id=cat603536 now where did the wifey hide that dang Visa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teck71 Posted August 13, 2008 Share Posted August 13, 2008 I'm all for helping the local shops but I also like easing my pocket book when I can to Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darrinhurst Posted August 14, 2008 Author Share Posted August 14, 2008 I am sooooooo tempted to get the William Joseph Equinox pack. On sale for $59.00 from $89.00. Saves me $20 after shipping, taxes and conversion. Nice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chiasson Posted August 14, 2008 Share Posted August 14, 2008 I've been looking at that too. Anyone here have one? I am sooooooo tempted to get the William Joseph Equinox pack. On sale for $59.00 from $89.00. Saves me $20 after shipping, taxes and conversion. Nice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darrinhurst Posted August 14, 2008 Author Share Posted August 14, 2008 I've been looking at that too. Anyone here have one? So I took a look at it over at Fish Tales this morning and tried it on. Love it. They have it priced at $129.00 retail. Including shipping and exchange through Cabella's, it's only $89.00. It would be crazy to spend an extra $50 just to get it locally wouldn't it? I love Fish Tales, but I love my money more...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yeanpc Posted August 15, 2008 Share Posted August 15, 2008 So I took a look at it over at Fish Tales this morning and tried it on. Love it. They have it priced at $129.00 retail. Including shipping and exchange through Cabella's, it's only $89.00. It would be crazy to spend an extra $50 just to get it locally wouldn't it? I love Fish Tales, but I love my money more...... As always, you'll find some items waaaaaaay cheaper over the internet and always on that range $50 - $60. To get small stuff like flies, tippet, etc.. I go to the local store but for special things like rods, reel, packs..I don't hesitate to get it from the internet, you can save a looooot of money. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigalcal Posted August 15, 2008 Share Posted August 15, 2008 I just bought this. It's great. So my answer is a vest with a pack http://www.fishpondusa.com/wasatch.cfm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yeanpc Posted August 15, 2008 Share Posted August 15, 2008 Wow it looks very cool!. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hydropsyche Posted August 16, 2008 Share Posted August 16, 2008 I just bought this. It's great. So my answer is a vest with a pack http://www.fishpondusa.com/wasatch.cfm That does look cool but I go with a vest *and* a pack. That way, I can set the pack down on the shore so there no chance of it getting sunk. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest RedWiggler Posted August 16, 2008 Share Posted August 16, 2008 Started off with a vest, vests are good. Ended up 2 winters ago using a backpack, backpacks are good. I fing backpacks good in the winter/fall but lately or shall I say this summer. I have found the backpack to much work, everytime you need to change a fly you need to back out of the water take it off and then find what you need to do the job - in the dark its a bit of a hassle, especially when you are changing flies every 5/6 casts to try and match the hatch. Or you can leave it on shore and then you have to go back for it or exit the water anyways, they are little more work than vests. So I just bought a Fishpond Wildhorse Teck Pack as it has the backpack function and I can access everything else I need from the front without having to take anything off or get out of the water. So what are my thoughts on Vest VS. Pack, well I think they are both great I just feel that vests are little easier to use you just cant get as much stuff in them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darrinhurst Posted August 16, 2008 Author Share Posted August 16, 2008 I've been looking at that too. Anyone here have one? I believe cdock has one. I ordered mine from Cabela's. Couldn't pass up that deal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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