What Do You Carry Your Fly Fishing Stuff With On The Stream?

[Jason R.]

I wonder about the sling pack and it dragging in the water. I looked at one for duck hunting also and thought the same thing. Does it stay in one place on your shoulder or move around all day?

I use mine exclusively and it can drag in the water a bit but you can hold it up with your off hand. I like how it holds a good amount of stuff and its out of my way. It really doesn't swing around on me too much unless I run or jump. I have the old green one- patagonia makes a pretty sweet looking one too. Here it is.

[Brian K. Shaffer]

Just a tip to you guys that chest pack fish.. I use this little gadget to pluck out my dries.

It's got a little magnet at the end... at the bottom in the picture. Nice for what I paid.

[Justin Spencer]

I'm with Wayne when it comes to the lanyard, doesn't get in the way, light, and holds everything you need. When I'm wearing waders I'll put some stuff in the pocket, and I do wear a chest pack on occasion as well, but lanyard is my favorite for warm weather.

[ness]

Wayne: What's a messenger bag?

I've got an Orvis pack thingy that's got pockets on the straps in front and a small pack on back. I've grown to like it. The pockets ride high enough that they're generally up and out of the water. There's two sets of pockets -- along the straps -- so the front is somewhat open, which I like. The back pocket is large enough to carry a rain jacket and some chow. I've gotten away from dangling accessories as much as I can, but still use zingers for forceps and nippers -- I just tuck them into the little pockets this pack has so they don't catch on things. Tippet spools are threaded on a deal that clips on and dangles; Gink on front too.

A lot of the newer packs are sure sweet looking, but I'm sticking with what I've got.

[Wayne SW/MO]

Ness this is what I have.

http://www.amazon.com/Urban-Explorer-Canvas-Military-Shoulder/dp/B003A0WOHE/ref=pd_ybh_23

I have a couple of the Outfitters bags, vest, even one of the hand built aluminum chest packs, can't remember the name and too lazy to go look.

I like this bag because it has a place for the few things I want to keep organized and room to throw in my lanyard and a spool if needed.

If you warm water fly fish a lot you're likely to carry large fly boxes and several of them and the trout bags just don't cut it for me.

[Greasy B]

Any more I don't stray too far from a canoe or river john when wading. I have a good size tackle bag in the boat and I only carry what I can in my wader pouch or shirt pocket. I had my vest stolen years ago, lost almost all my flies but I don't miss the vest a bit. Other than nippers and hemo's I can't stand things dangling from me.

[dennis boatman]

I'm a minimilist (sp)...deep pocket shorts....

[ciRe]

I generally use a traditional fly vest however if it's going to be a super hot day I will use my minimal chest pack. I also have a nice cabelas rain jacket that is short so it doesn't get soaking wet when it rains and has two huge front pockets that will fit 4 boxes with the tipets. It's actually what I use in the winter months too because you can close off the sleeves and it doesn't let much water pass the wrist.

[jdmidwest]

Wayne: What's a messenger bag?

I've got an Orvis pack thingy that's got pockets on the straps in front and a small pack on back. I've grown to like it. The pockets ride high enough that they're generally up and out of the water. There's two sets of pockets -- along the straps -- so the front is somewhat open, which I like. The back pocket is large enough to carry a rain jacket and some chow. I've gotten away from dangling accessories as much as I can, but still use zingers for forceps and nippers -- I just tuck them into the little pockets this pack has so they don't catch on things. Tippet spools are threaded on a deal that clips on and dangles; Gink on front too.

A lot of the newer packs are sure sweet looking, but I'm sticking with what I've got.

Ness, I think that would be classified as a chest pack with a backpack if you are having trouble figuring out how to vote.

It is probably the same one that I use in winter or on longer fishing trips when I need the kitchen sink. You can carry a ton and still not have back problems like with a traditional vest.

[northernranger]

I use the blue river chest pack by Fishpond in a sling pack way. It is meant to be used as a chest or fanny pack. I loosen the strap that goes around your neck for the chest pack mode and wear it around my shoulder like a sling pack. It has been the most comfortable way for me to carry my gear in the warmer months and it stays on my back hip out of the way of my arms and fly line. I am also tall enough to keep it out of the water. During the winter I'll go heavier for the extra warmth and pockets for gear like gloves and hats.