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LL Bean Rapid River Vest Pack
- Thread starter Karel
- Start date
Olive Drab
Just finished a River Runs Through it!
Check out the latest issue of Fly rod & reel. they have a whole artocle on vests and pack and the Rapid River vest is reviewed.
Regards,
Olive
Regards,
Olive
LL Bean Rapid River Vest Pack
I purchased one this past fall that I used up on the Salmon River. I was a bit hesitant at first, but after wearing it a few times I would never go to a river that I planned on being in there for more than a half of a day without it.
I brought it along on a recent trip to Northern Maine, but did not wear it. I would most likely wear it only when the weather is cooler or just plain down right cold. I did see a few fly fisherman wearing them when I was on the Penobscot River.
The shoulder straps and the waist harness keeps it firmly attached which helps when casting or just moving about. There are simple adjustments on all the straps to make it very comfortable and non-binding for a long day out in the field.
There are two zippered pockets in the from that will hold large fly boxes without any problem, and two pocketed fly holders in the front for ease of changing out flies.
The back pack was designed to hold a hydration bladder (purchased separately) and is not very large, but able to carry small items such as gloves, watch cap or packable rain coat and not much else.
My overall evaluation of the materials and construction should hold up to many years hard use without a problem. If there was a problem, remember this is an LL Bean product and their 100% satisfaction guarantee separates them from everyone else.
AK Skim
I purchased one this past fall that I used up on the Salmon River. I was a bit hesitant at first, but after wearing it a few times I would never go to a river that I planned on being in there for more than a half of a day without it.
I brought it along on a recent trip to Northern Maine, but did not wear it. I would most likely wear it only when the weather is cooler or just plain down right cold. I did see a few fly fisherman wearing them when I was on the Penobscot River.
The shoulder straps and the waist harness keeps it firmly attached which helps when casting or just moving about. There are simple adjustments on all the straps to make it very comfortable and non-binding for a long day out in the field.
There are two zippered pockets in the from that will hold large fly boxes without any problem, and two pocketed fly holders in the front for ease of changing out flies.
The back pack was designed to hold a hydration bladder (purchased separately) and is not very large, but able to carry small items such as gloves, watch cap or packable rain coat and not much else.
My overall evaluation of the materials and construction should hold up to many years hard use without a problem. If there was a problem, remember this is an LL Bean product and their 100% satisfaction guarantee separates them from everyone else.
AK Skim
Karel
sleep, eat, flyfish, repeat
Thanks for the detailed review, AKSim!
From the picture, I think it is a bit on the long side with the lumbar support around your waist. Did you ever wade deep to actually have lumbar pockets under water/wet? I don't suppose that the pockets are water proof, right? This is probably one of the main questionmarks I have for that vest (but I do love LLBean products and know that they are very well made and backed by a great warranty).
-Karel
From the picture, I think it is a bit on the long side with the lumbar support around your waist. Did you ever wade deep to actually have lumbar pockets under water/wet? I don't suppose that the pockets are water proof, right? This is probably one of the main questionmarks I have for that vest (but I do love LLBean products and know that they are very well made and backed by a great warranty).
-Karel
The lumbar support I actually found very comfortable and never bothered me. So when I ever wore it, I had them buckled. Just felt much better.
If I was wading and got the pockets wet, conditions I was fishing in, I wouldn't have been wading any longer, I would have been swimmmmmin.....
No the pocket zippers did not look to be water tight.
theartoflee
Anadromous Angler
Karel I hear they are great for catching 27inchers their is even room for a tape measure and camera in the pockets.
We should go fishing again some time soon if you get that pack you can cary Ralphs lunch.:rofl:
We should go fishing again some time soon if you get that pack you can cary Ralphs lunch.:rofl:
Karel
sleep, eat, flyfish, repeat
Sorry, that was an 'insider' between me and theartoflee. We had a group of guys up on the WB early May (Ralph organized the trip) and I caught the day after our competition for the biggest fish a 27" and 23" brown trout where I caught the day before a 21.5" brown. Of course, that day I was fishing alone and by the time I had my camera phone out the big fish made a splash and said good bye. -K :crap:
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