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Anyone use Chest/Waist Packs?

Scott

Scott

Salmo salar Sebago finatic
I've always used a vest - Mine is loaded with everything I could possibly need on stream, and many things I usually don't need.

So I'm thinking of getting a chest or waist pack for an alternative to my vest. (For those days when you only have an hour or so to fish, and you just know there's going to be a heavy sulphur hatch -and all you really need is some extra tippet material & a handful of dries & emergers.)

I looked at some at Cabela's last week, including the Simms water proof ones, but didn't find any there that thrilled me.

Anyone use one of these chest packs, or waist packs, instead or in addition to a vest?

It doesn't need to be complicated - just well built, comfortable. and useful.

I look forward to your suggestions!
 
It may take a little time to get used to one.

I tried a 5 section Richardson's a long time ago. For some reason it always seemed to get in the way.....I ended up using it as a place to store spare flys on long trips.

BTW: Before someone else says it...I was a little over my "ideal weight" at the time, but not obese (6'-1", 195 lb).
 
When I was purchasing all my new gear at the beginning of the season, I was on a very tight budget. I ended up getting a cabelas chest pack and it has served me pretty well. I'm able to pack it up with a lot of stuff and everything is relatively easy to get to.

P.S. - I only spent $40 on it
 
McAwful said:
Scott,

THEWYLIE and I both have Richardsons. They are not cheap, but are well worth it.

McAwful
Click to expand...


And while on the river they also can fish with confidence...... http://www.depend.com/

I have to agree with Pete, only mine ended up smashed on a rock beside the river. About the time you hook that trophy trout, the trout gods will take control and snag your excess flyline around the chest pack, through the zipper, under the tippet dispenser, over the Gink dispenser, and suddenly SNAP! There goes my trophy..........Soon to be followed by the sound of me smashing the Chest Pack and loudly pronouncing my true feelings about them for everyone on the river to here.

GBS
 
I have a Cabelas chest pack and a Orvis one. I like them both very much. For stream trout outings with good weather forcasted I still stay with a regular vest. However, if I am fishing somewhere where I need to carry food, rain jacket, or anything else bulky, I go with my chest packs because of their backpack component. I also like the Cabelas pack in cold wether because of it's flip down fly box "tray". It lowers my odds of dropping a box in the water due to cold clumsy hands.


~James
 
I have a Cabelas chest pack and a Orvis one. I like them both very much. For stream trout outings with good weather forcasted I still stay with a regular vest. However, if I am fishing somewhere where I need to carry food, rain jacket, or anything else bulky, I go with my chest packs because of their backpack component. I also like the Cabelas pack in cold wether because of it's flip down fly box "tray". It lowers my odds of dropping a box in the water due to cold clumsy hands.


~James
 
I personally like the Richardson chest pack and have the Joe Humphrey model which is a little smaller then the Original model. I also have a fish pond chest pack that I use when I am fishing in the salt both work great.
 
GBS,

Maybe you should just learn to manage your line a little better. I find that I get tangled up much less w/the chest packs than w/a vest. Y'all a bunch of haters. Just cos' a brother got the cheese for a little bling...No its cool, buy cheap stuff made by 9 year olds in japan and screw the hard working tax paying American craftsman and his family. Thats cool. Enough of this crap, when we going catching?
 
I have one and call it my fishing purse and like it very much. It gives the opportunity occasionally to say to a fishing buddy "hey grab my purse." The only thing I don't like is the fact that when I wade deep the purse gets wet. Water proof or one that stays high would be my reccomendation.

Tom
 
GBS,

I wish. It looks like all I can MAYBE pull off for a couple of weeks is the old day trip.
OCTOBER is not far off, I'm ready for that action...

McAwful
 
Thanks for the suggestions so far.

Maybe it would help if I was a little more specific: I'm looking for a small chest or waist pack with room for one big fly box, maybe with a zinger or two for clippers & such, a pocket for some leaders and tippet material, and a clip for a net.
Again, I'm not really looking to replace my vest, just get a alternative means of oranizing a few essentials.

I though a wading jacket might fit the bill, but I certainly won't want to wear one if it's hot.
I guess maybe most people use vests?
 
I Use A Fishpond Chest/fanny Pack. About 80 Bucks At Ramsey. Never Gets In The Way,holds Everything Including 2 Water Bottles.i Still Prefer My Vest For All Around Use Though.
 
I used to use a William Joseph chest pack now I use a Filson vest. I do alot of deep wading and the pockets hang in the water not too crazy about that.
 
Scott,

If you're looking for something inexpenssive yet practical, check out cabelas chest vest. The one I have was $40 and I use it ALL the time. It's got two front pockets perfect for holding a large fly box(or more if necessary), mesh pockets on the inside of the regular pocket to keep everything secure and easy to get to,4 d-rings on the front, and plenty of room for anything you may need in the backpack part of it. The best thing about it is if you're just looking to get out for a couple hours, it's lightweight and compact. If you need to throw more stuff in for a longer outing, no problem, it'll handle that too. I've loaded the back part of mine up with water bottles, food, and a bunch of other stuff easily. Its got padded shoulder straps too so you stay nice and comfortable in it.

I believe it's waterproof as well.
 
I love my purse ... er ... Orvis chest pack. Sometimes I like to accessorize with a little splash of color. Maybe a hint of fuscia on the front flap - you know, to brighten things up a bit. I'm more of a fall.

I've got a vest too, but with so many pockets I feel compelled to fill them all, then end up with 20 pounds of crap on my back.

Jim
 
Thanks guys - the Fishpond stuff looks pretty decent. I really liked the backpack model with the rod tube holders, it would be perfect for a full day that involved lots of hiking - but that is more than I really need. Efingers had squat for inventory, I guess because they are moving into the new addition (?). I hope to get up to Ramsey soon to see what they've got.
 
You may want to check out another option, Its a bag the size of a creel from Creek Company, I used to carry way too much, still do , but my vest got fat and bulky, now I carry five big fly boxes, some smaller ones,packs of leaders, bug repell,all kinds of stuff I dont need and just let it hang over my shoulder like a creel or push it in back over my hip and its out of the way and gives me total freedom. I will never go back to a vest again. Last estimate I carry 1,000 flies at any one time, but the one I need is always in my trunk or home.
 
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Thanks for all the suggestions. I ended up buying a Fishpond waist/chest pack. I'll post a review of it when I get around to using a few times it in the following weeks.
 
Looking to buy a chest pak that will allow me to accomodate the most number of flies w/o using hard cases like the Richardson. I can't tell how much Fish Pond paks hold because they don't show photos of their paks in the open position on their website.
 
I've seen the Richardson's. They look really old-school. that is to say they remind me of the filing cabinets in principals office in my old (high) school.

I've heard good things about the fishpond packs, and I've asked santa for the double haul pack. Even e-mailed him a link;)
 
Rick,

The great thing about the Richardson is that they are totaly customizable. I use New School C&F Threader setups in the lids of two trays. Take it from an Artist and Designer, if the Design has not changed in 25 years it works. There is nothing wrong with a cube. I also use a Fishpond Chest pack for the salt and love it. Right tool for the right job.

MCinappropriateAVATAR
 
I have 3 richarson chest packs and wouldn't be without one. Have never lost a fish because of one in 10 years or got the line caught. I am thinking of a waist pack in adjuct to Richarson box for the summer and have looked at Chief Josep and Orvis.
 
I voted some bother me but I deal with it but GBS's reaaaaaalllllly bothers me
 
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McAfwul want do u mean theres nother wrong with the cube look at your head. just as cubed
 
Andre,

I have a Camel Pak Hydration deal I use for the long days on the Big D. Just enough room for Rain Jacket, Sandwiches, and it keeps 100 oz of water cold all day long. It does not get in the way with the Richardson, and is high up enough to not get wet.

Gilbo,

You have no idea what my skull is like because you are 2' tall.
 
You know I never did get around to writing a review of the Fishpond waist/chest pack, but here is a brief synopsis:

I liked it - BUT: I thought net carrying was a pain, you have to either pack it or use the neck strap. When used a waist pack, I found that it interfered with the reel & rod butt (I hold my rod low). As a chest pack it worked fine. The best way to use it was to pack it as a waist pack, fish it as a chest pack. When everything was all said & done I decided that I'm a vest guy. I like my vest.

I used it for a total of four hours, and I think I'm going to sell it. I'm thinking $75, if anyone is interested PM me. I was going to link to a pic on the fishpond website, but apparently it's down. Let's try this:
ezflyfish_1875_3105705

except the one I have is Marsh/Carbon as opposed to Slate/Carbon so mine's olive-greenish.
 
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