Fly vest,sling pack or pockets

[rachunter]

I'm pretty much hooked on fly fishing now that i caught a few fish.I picked up a few nets off of Craigslist.While talking to the guy i metioned that i just got into fly fishing,so he said wait a minute and pulled out a new[old] fly vest and said i can have it. I'm starting to accumulate a bunch of stuff now and went from my pockets to a sling pack that i had already.The vest is nice with a bunch of pockets and hoops and a wooly fly holder.What do you guys prefer and why?

[chrisw]

I'm pretty much hooked on fly fishing now that i caught a few fish.I picked up a few nets off of Craigslist.While talking to the guy i metioned that i just got into fly fishing,so he said wait a minute and pulled out a new[old] fly vest and said i can have it. I'm starting to accumulate a bunch of stuff now and went from my pockets to a sling pack that i had already.The vest is nice with a bunch of pockets and hoops and a wooly fly holder.What do you guys prefer and why?

Sling pack for me, vest is too hot. And I usually carry too much crap for a vest!

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[Nytracker]

Steelhead  pin fishing / spey fishing i use a sling pack . Trout fishing .. fly rodding I use a vest ... and its a pain in the neck. I carry 6 or 7 fly boxes and a ton of gadgets. Haven't found the perfect system .. I  have been looking now for over 40 years.

[left field]

I have every type of system and they all have their uses or are a pain in the ass. Lately, it's been a sling. 

No advice, other than to say a free vest sounds like a deal.

[Moho81]

I always found the best to be the most convenient but as @chrisw said above its freeking hot in the summer


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[The_Real_TCIII]

Ive tried a few different setups. Currently have a chest pack and i don't love it. A sling pack will be my next experiment


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[rachunter]

Thanks guys i'm going to play around with the vest,but keep the pack as well.I would imagine it would work in open water[rivers] definitely not in the thick stuff i was climbing and crawling around in last week.

[Northcountryman]

Definitely a sling pack now , but wires vest for years . I prefer the pack cuz everything’s together in one place and it’s right in front of you on your chest . The vest , although useful in its own right , has one major flaw IMHO in that your flies stored in lower pockets of the vest can ( and often do) get wet , making them rust quicker. 

[Nytracker]

9 minutes ago, Northcountryman said:

Definitely a sling pack now , but wires vest for years . I prefer the pack cuz everything’s together in one place and it’s right in front of you on your chest . The vest , although useful in its own right , has one major flaw IMHO in that your flies stored in lower pockets of the vest can ( and often do) get wet , making them rust quicker. 

I switched over to water proof fly boxes 10 years ago . I tend to wade deep sometimes . I still dry all my flies on a patch velcro to my dash. 

Edited May 26, 2021 by Nytracker

[Northcountryman]

18 minutes ago, Nytracker said:

I switched over to water proof fly boxes 10 years ago . I tend to wade deep sometimes . I still dry all my flies on a patch velcro to my dash. 

Yes , that’s a good idea ; I have to get there myself , someday . 

[BowmanMike]

Another vote for a sling pack. I had a vest for years after I started fly fishing but I find the sling pack much more comfortable if you carry a bunch of stuff. Since owning one I have not used my vest. 

[left field]

These slings are well regarded: https://vedavoo.com/product-category/packs/

I use this: https://www.orvis.com/orvis-sling-pack/25FR-Family.html

[wolc123]

I am going with a vest with my fly box in the top pocket.  I will carry a rusty bucket for fish, and needle nose pliers in my pants pocket.  I will treat the top edges of my rubber boots with Sawyers and try to stay out of deep water.

That's my plan for this weekend up in the Adirondacks.  I found a few weighted nymphs.  Hopefully, a Brookie or two will cooperate for campfire snacks.

Edited May 26, 2021 by wolc123

[mattypotpie8S]

Went from a vest to a chest pack to an orvis sling. Been using the sling for a couple years. @wolc123Careful permethrin is toxic to fish.

[The_Real_TCIII]

3 hours ago, left field said:

 

I use this: https://www.orvis.com/orvis-sling-pack/25FR-Family.html

You can get at the pockets and tippet without taking it off?

[mattypotpie8S]

Yeah swings right around to your belly/chest

[left field]

It easily swing around. The only thing I don’t like is that tippet gets caught up in the gear as you’re tying on a fly when it’s facing front. 

[The_Real_TCIII]

Ill grab the pack and this net for Father's Day


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[mattypotpie8S]

Wow that's a pretty net. Might consider a magnetic net attachment too

[left field]

Nice net. Only the finest fish are worthy.

[Nytracker]

I just ordered my first custom net . Guy is supposed to be making it as we speak . Hickory and quilted maple. More money than most of my fly rods. Steelehead net .. wont need it until fall but it can't get here fast enough  .

[The_Real_TCIII]

I hope you guys understand that I'm not buying that net lol


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[Nytracker]

33 minutes ago, The_Real_TCIII said:

I hope you guys understand that I'm not buying that net lol


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Come on now your just a tease. Pretty net like that will make you a better fisherman .

[chrisw]

If you're in the market for a nice net, Fishpond makes some real nice ones. I have the Fishpond Nomad mid length with the deep rubber net. Works great for anything up to about 10lb steelies but things get dicey after that. It floats, which is nice, has a good length handle without being too long and has measurement markings on the handle also... Also if you're looking for an affordable sling I've used "Maxcatch" brand and for the money you won't beat them. I recently bought a fishpond belt/waist minimalist style pack which I like also, I wish it were a bit larger but has great features, the built in net holder was the selling point for me.

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[chrisw]

Come on now your just a tease. Pretty net like that will make you a better fisherman .

If nothing else it'll make him look like he catches fish!

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