Richardson Chest Packs

[gadfly]

I've been thinking about getting one of the Richardson chest packs, but don't know how much room I will need (ie how many trays I might need) Can anyone that owns one offer any advice. When using a vest, I generally carry about 3 medium fly boxes, a few spools of tippit, tin, and floatant. I probably carry an average amount. Also, I would be curious to hear about any options that people think are particularly useful or useless.

Thanks.

 

[LyNcH]

Have you checked out fishponds Waterdance guide pack. You can use it around your chest or as a hip pack.

Can be worn as a chest or lumbar pack
Two generously sized main compartments
Signature, zip down fly bench with replaceable foam
Adjustable compression strap system
fishpond Jacquard accent webbing and climbing cord loops for attaching tools and accessories
Interior pockets for extra gear storage
Padded, breathable air mesh backing
Two mesh water bottle holders

Fishpond USA - WATERDANCE GUIDE PACK

I love it, perfect space for what you carry and if as waist pack, can swivel it behind your body when casting.

 

[sandfly]

check out downstream products...

 

[Bamboozle]

I use a Richardson box and love it! I really only carry flies in mine, but I use a combination of a fishing shirt and a sort of fanny pack for the rest of my stuff.

Before you order, spend a good amount of time thinking it through because while a 5 tray sounds like it will handle evey possibilty, it isn't always necessary and may be a tad big for most fisherman all the time.

My suggestion to anyone wanting to explore the Richardson route is to hunt for a USED Down's Fly Box on eBay or elsewhere. The Downs Fly Box is made of plastic but has swappable trays and is a LOT cheaper, especially used.

Try out the Down's Box for a few trips and decide if you like the concept of a chest box. If you do, trying out the Down's Box will help you decide if you still want a Richardson Box and if you do, you'll have a better idea of what to order.

Good luck!

 

[AKSkim]

I've been thinking about getting one of the Richardson chest packs, but don't know how much room I will need (ie how many trays I might need) Can anyone that owns one offer any advice. When using a vest, I generally carry about 3 medium fly boxes, a few spools of tippit, tin, and floatant. I probably carry an average amount. Also, I would be curious to hear about any options that people think are particularly useful or useless.

Thanks.

The chest fly boxes are custom made to what you
want from a one tray box up to a five tray box.

The main draw back is the ability to attach much
needed items such as floatant, clamps, nippers.

For my harness I use one off a Orvis chest pack.
You can purchase their Armish hand made one
or make your own to suit you.

The drawer closest to you will be the deepest one.
Here I have the deep divider to carry my flies
in bulk.

My second drawer is also a multi divider, but the depth
is not a great as the first one.

Removable foam inserts. This is one of the main
reasons I went to a Richardson years ago.
The ability to change out entire fly selection based
on the water and type of fishing I plan on doing with
ease. Still the main feature I like about this box.

I purchased the tippet dispenser for the fifth drawer.
I didn't like having four spools in there, and it was
not easy. So I removed the screws and use it for
basic storage. I keep A spool of tippet, split shot,
strike indicators. Just the basics.

In addition to the foam inserts that came with the
chest box, I purchased an additional ten inserts.
That allows me to set up my fly box ahead of time.

At the recent fly fishing show I saw a couple of
items that I would like to try out this year from
the E. Hille Company.

I already purchased two extra storage bags that
will attach to the bottom strap of the harness.

Lets me carry more stuff than I really need.

It wasn't out at the time of the show, but this back
pack harness looks interesting. Large enough to carry
a light weight rain coat

If you look at the last two photos here, you will notice
they also sell a chest pack made of plastic. I don't know
what they cost, but I'll bet its a fraction of the cost
of a Richardson.

 

[gadfly]

Thank you everyone for the thoughtful replies. Bamboozle - your point about 5 trays possibly being too big is exactly my concern. I don't want big cube strapped to my chest if I don't need it, but I want to make sure I can carry what I need. Thanks AK for the peek into your pack. That gives me a better idea of what to expect.

I noticed on their website that you can get pouches that attach to the back strap. Anyone use those? Seems like that might be the solution for miscellaneous gear that does not fit in a tray.

Thanks again.

 

[Pete]

Bamboozle's advice about trying an inexpensive one before deciding is good.

The "big cube strapped to my chest" is something I found very annoying. My reel kept bumping into it. It was in the way whenever I wanted to tie a knot....etc...etc...

Mine ended up being a place to store spare flies & tippet material on long trips. I wore a vest, the Richardson box stayed in the car.

 

[AKSkim]

Bamboozle's advice about trying an inexpensive one before deciding is good.

The "big cube strapped to my chest" is something I found very annoying. My reel kept bumping into it. It was in the way whenever I wanted to tie a knot....etc...etc...

It is not for everyone.

However, in all the years I have worn my chest fly box I have never ever hit my hand or reel against it while fishing.

I haven't worn a typical FF vest since I bought my Richardson. Like people who fish now adays with back pack type FF gear. Takes a little getting use to but I wouldn't head out into the DRS without mine.

I can't answer about having a chest pack or back pack in the way when tying knots. I don't tie them under my chin to begin with.

Like I said, it is not for everyone one.

 

[Bamboozle]

Gadfly:

If you want to have the best of both worlds, you can do what I did and make your Richardson have swappable trays. If you do it, you will VOID the lifetime warranty but if the thing ever breaks I'd be amazed. Besides, I've heard horror stories about their customer service on repairs taking forever so I'll fix mine myself if it ever breaks.

I actually own two Richardson boxes, one with five trays and a single deep back tray and the other a four tray box with two deep back trays. After about four double Bourbons, I went to work on them with a Dremel and now I can mix and match trays as needed. I also have the swappable inserts like AK and I am going to modify my rear tray and install swappable C&F inserts on the lid as soon as I get up the nerve to peel off the original foam.

The trays aren't as easy to swap as a Down's Box but it only takes me about 10 minutes to do it and I only do it about 3-4 times a season so it isn't too bad. Right now I am fishing with three trays. In another month or so I will add another to get me to four which will be fine until Memorial Day weekend when I go upstate and slap on a fifth or even 6th tray for the peak hatches.

As soon as I get home from that trip I go back to 4 trays which is the norm until the end of Tricos when I am back to three. It's a great system for me but I put a lot of thought into it before I took the plunge. There are lots of options for the other crap if you are creative and you don't want to devote a Richardson Box tray to carrying stuff. A fishing shirt with pockets is essential to my system. I also made my own harness for my chest box and added my own side pouches for small stuff. My complete system also incorporates a small belt around my waist with pouches for essential stuff like my flask & toilet paper. It is hard to explain and pictures don't do it justice.

But again, the best advice I can give you is, DON'T buy one until you mentally work out where you will put all of your stuff and how you want to set up your flies. I was lucky in that I used a knock-off Richardson for years before I bought the real deal. But even so, I spent a ton of time working out exactly how I was going to set up my boxes because the Richardson was different from my knock-off.

Be patient and seek out a used Down's Box on eBay. If after trying it you decide to move on to a Richardson, I'd be glad to help you decide how to set it up.

 

[CTobias]

Wont catch this guy wearing that big box on his chest. Then again all I need is one pocket for my hooks and worm container.

 

[rckrego]

FlyteDeck - The Ultimate Chest Flybox

Check that out as well. Seems a bit more minimalist.

 

[gadfly]

Thanks RCKrego. Those look pretty nice, although probably too minimalist for me.

Bamboozle. I liked you advice about looking for a used down's box first, but couldn't find one on ebay. I'll keep my eye out.

 

[Bamboozle]

Gad:

For a start, go to this board:

Things Wanted - FAOL BB

...sign up and post that you are looking for a used Down's Chest Box. You may get lucky. I'm sure a lot of BB's also have similar boards.

Good luck!

 

[jeff white]

Since I hurt myself and am taking a few days off from fishing I figured I'd post on this one. Richardson boxes may not be for everyone, but they have quite a devoted following. Right now I own 3 - I think. All are 3 tray for some odd reason I had at some point, but each has different tray configuration. A few quick thoughts:

1: don't bother with the built in floatant holder- just get a holder that clips on.
2: tippet holder- could go either way but I would bag it. the one I have with that option seems to get stuffed with things it was not intended for- just hang a holder off the clips on the side of the box
3: You can stuff a ton of flies in them. I have one devoted strictly to southern tailwaters that covers the whole year, and the one I have for the Delaware I only switch flies out mid season.
4: the powder coating they started doing after the old man passed is far superior than the original paint- if they still offer it - get it
5: about 1/2 the time I wade I actually only have 1 strap secured and I swing it around my back, even though the trays up won't bother you like most people think in the front it seems more comfortable.
6: I wouldn't buy a cheap alternative, that's exactly what you will get. Borrow one 1st to see if you'll like it.

Overall it's absolutely the best system I've ever used for wade fishing. My favorite is a wide tray in back with dividers (may not be a choice), regular tray in the middle with dividers, and a nymph removable tray in front.

I hate vests and chest packs. the only other product I liked to wear while guiding was a shoulder bag made by wood river. It had a shoulder strap and a belt. you could slide it around your back to be out of the way and slide it around front to pull out fly boxes, etc. It even came with clips to hook it on a boat gunnel. If you can find one, buy it.

Jeff

 

[Bamboozle]

Overall it's absolutely the best system I've ever used for wade fishing. My favorite is a wide tray in back with dividers (may not be a choice), regular tray in the middle with dividers, and a nymph removable tray in front.

I hate vests and chest packs. the only other product I liked to wear while guiding was a shoulder bag made by wood river. It had a shoulder strap and a belt. you could slide it around your back to be out of the way and slide it around front to pull out fly boxes, etc. It even came with clips to hook it on a boat gunnel. If you can find one, buy it.
Jeff

Good advice in your post! Years ago, they offered a Flex Light holder for the old standard AA flashlight. Now days, with all of the super small LED options, hardly anybody uses a Flex Light. That one event convinced me to never order any type of holder for my Richardson. They all will become obsolete at some point.

FYI - All the trays are available as divided or undivided including the deep back tray. Since I fish more dries than wets, I use my rear tray undivided for all of my wets. I made my own version of the felt nymph pads out of foam and I have one or two of those in there as well.

Another good bit of advice for maximum flexibility if anyone takes the plunge, is to order all of your trays with REMOVABLE dividers which is an option. That way you can use them for what ever you want.

4: the powder coating they started doing after the old man passed is far superior than the original paint- if they still offer it - get it

Question:

What's the time frame for the paint versus/powder coat you are talking about?

FWIW - Wood River bags ARE the best. The belt/shoulder strap idea is pure genius. I have a few different ones and use them for all of my warmwater fishing. I also designed a belt attachment that Pete Ross the owner of Wood River was going to offer before they went out of business. The attachment works with the existing three part shouder strap and allows me to use it as a chest pack.

 

[jeff white]

If I had to guees on a time frame I would say 1998 or 99. the powder coat may have just been an option, but it seems to me they switched away from the paint. It's darker than the original and has a slight texture to it.

Sorry to hear Wood River is gone, kind of like my favorite Evets tying bag, I've been searching for a second one for years off and on- they're gone too.

 

[frogge]

Hey,
For what its worth, I have a Fish Pond blue river chest pack. I like everything about it except the foam inserts. They don't keep the flies in place very well. The second problem with this system is the flies get squashed if you fill the compartments that are ahead of them. If I get ambitious I may replace the foam. Otherwise I'll simply carry some fly boxes with me. The minimalist pack/box looks nice but is over prices. I'm thinking some boxes in my shirt pocket and a lanyard may be all I need. Toodles,Frogge.