Thread: sling pack

I went from using a vest my whole life to a Wright McGill chest pak this season. After a few outings, I came to the conclusion that I'm not really all that fond of it. Too much pressure against my chest/stomach because of all the crap I carry. I was told that a sling pak might be something I should look into. Was looking at the Orvis pak this morning and was wondering if anyone owns it or something like it.

C&R:

I have one, but not for fly fishing. After an hour of walking around London with it last year I got sore and ended up carrying it the remainder of the day. I went out and purchased a back pack, which distributed the weight of the load evenly.

I was so disenfranchised with the pack I left it in the hotel room on my departure.

You will discover all the weight of the pack will be on one shoulder.

AKS

Heres a good deal on a William Joseph pack

William Joseph Creel Fishing Pack - Save 41%

won't break the bank to try it either

Originally Posted by RickW

Heres a good deal on a William Joseph pack

William Joseph Creel Fishing Pack - Save 41%

won't break the bank to try it either

Do you own it personally? I want to see if other people have opinions similar to AKSkim's.

No I don't have a sling pack.
I use a traditional vest for regular trout fishing.

For specialized fishing such as steelhead, lake run browns or salmon, if I'm going to be away from my truck for most of the day I use a fishpond double haul chest-pack/back-pack combo. It has a hydration bladder and allows me to bring a sandwitch or two and a thermos in cold weather.

If I won't be venturing too far from my vehicle, I use a light weight Clear Creek small chest pack that I wear with the strap over the shoulder. It is just a zip up w/ ripple foam and a couple of small pockets for leader material, indies and shot.

The William Joseph gear is supposed to be pretty good.

C&R,

I have one of those and all in all, it's pretty decent. Although it performs as advertised, I still place it in the same catagory as all the other vests and chest packs I've used/tried over the years.. none of them are perfect. The last few years I've gone to a lanyard with tippet, nippers, floatant and a hemo with a fly box or two stuffed into my shirt pocket and a fly patch clipped to my shirt. So far this has worked the best for me.

Joe

On an ergonomic side, ... slings are about the weirdest inventions man has come up with.

Up here, ... we think that sling packs were invented by angler's other half who wanted their Bud, husbands, wife, to stay home more often.

A sling will load one shoulder. Not good for the back, neck, shoulders. EVen with a small weight, there just isn't a way to get teh weight straight across the shoulders.

I use a lightly loaded vest (4 boxes of flies, nippers etc and leaders. Heavy stuff goes into the kit bag or canoe.

Real loads go into a real back pack on those occassions we pack into a beach or run (real meaning the weight loads onto the hip belt).

Just my 0.02$ , ... but hey, ... Canadian money is starting to be worth something

I'm glad to see this being discussed today. I have been using a small shoulder bag ( like a bike messenger bag) for about five or six years now. I switched from the traditional vest because of temperature constraints( too hot most of the year) and the limited amount of space it provides. When given the "luxury" of many pockets, I have always burdened myself with overstuffing and becoming disorganized. Too much, too many. Now with my small bag, I force myself to think about the essentials for the day and pack little excess. The result is a lighter load that's easier to use. I can find anything I need in the dark and seldom want for anything more. Be it known that I like to walk to get to my favorite spots. I rarely fish the beaten down pull-offs right next to the river ( I do have a few choice spots for those lazy days, but i digress). I'm not sure of the size of this orvis bag, but it looks a bit complicated to me. Try it out would be my advice. If it's packed right, with the weight distributed evenly, you may find it to be quite comfortable. Don't let others discourage you from exploring your options!

I actually have, and occasionally use one of these sling packs. I found myself fishing the B'kill in Vermont and it turned hot. I decided to stop by Orvis and ended up picking this pack up.

I keep it in my bag for the occasional day when the vest is too much. I find that I put what I think I may need in the sling from the vest and go on my way. In this application it isn't too heavy on one sholder because it isn't stuffed like the vest, but I still use my vest whenever possible. I see myself using this more in summer months for bass or whatever I can chase while waiting for fall.

Midlife

I have the William Joseph Creel pack since last fall. Needed a couple of outing to get used to since the weight is on one shoulder. But I also packed it full, including a water bladder in the back since I was hiking in to streams in Colorado. Like it now better than a west since you wind up carring less stuff (5pounds instead of 20 pounds ;-)). Karel

Well I decided to try the Orvis pak out so I ordered it. Got it on Friday. Sending it back today. Just don't like the way it feels. Plus I feel like a parade marshal or something when I put it on. Will probably look into other options like getting a more likeable vest.

Originally Posted by C&R

Well I decided to try the Orvis pak out so I ordered it. Got it on Friday. Sending it back today. Just don't like the way it feels. Plus I feel like a parade marshal or something when I put it on. Will probably look into other options like getting a more likeable vest.

I have been looking for the ultimate pack as well. Tried the orvis safe passage, also just ordered the new patagonia stealth pack and its a liie more room than the orvis but still wasnt happy. The latest bag i ordered is not a fishing pak but its the maxpedition noatak. Havent recieved yet though. Hoping its the one.