vanven Posted November 2, 2006 Posted November 2, 2006 I am a gear freak. Part of the fun of fly fishing for me is the ability to constantly add bits and pieces to the puzzle to make a afternoon on the water more fun and comfortable. It is time to talk vests/chest packs. To me, besides the rod and reel, this is one of the center pieces of fly fishing equipment. I just bought a William Joseph Fusion Vest last month. This past week was the first trip for me and I am absolutely amazed with this new purchase. It is an expensive vest ($119) although cheaper and very comparable to the Simms G3 Guide Vest ($160). I could probably write a several page review with lots of flowery praise and unuseful info, but I will summarize. I love the hard reinforced pockets with their rubber pull tabs. They hold everything and stay the same shape regardless of what i cram into them. It is 100% waterproof. Never seems to be a problem the day I am fishing, but the next morning when I want to get onto the water early and have to put on a wet, stinky, cold vest that didnt manage to dry overnight from the day before, not fun. Built in zingers are very nice and handy. Forceps and nips in the same spot every time and small pockets to tuck them away after use so that they arent flapping around like tassles every time I move. Built in hydration pack. It's not necessary, but cool. No more gatorade bottle in the back pocket. Now if I can figure out how to get steaming hot coffee into it. Built in workstation. The left breast pocket folds out and accross the chest and attaches via velcro. The inside of the pocket then folds down and creates a small felt workstation to aid in hot swapping flies. It also has an integrated floatant bottle loop inside the workstation. Built in D loops. No more poking holes in my new vest to attach additional tools. They simply clip onto the attached and reinforced D loops. OK I sound like a sales rep. I am not, just a happy angler that found a new toy. What are your requirements in a vest? Are your requirements quite as high as mine? Am I a freak? -Jerod
Terry Beeson Posted November 3, 2006 Posted November 3, 2006 Hey Jerod.... tell us how you really feel... do you like the vest or not? YES... great review... I must be pretty particular on my vest/pack. I'm on my forth one in six years. But now I may have to try another one... One question, though... are the zingers attached so they can't be moved? Are they placed where they are not "in the way?"... OK... I konw... that's TWO questions.... so sue me... TIGHT LINES, YA'LL "There he stands, draped in more equipment than a telephone lineman, trying to outwit an organism with a brain no bigger than a breadcrumb, and getting licked in the process." - Paul O’Neil
vanven Posted November 3, 2006 Author Posted November 3, 2006 Hey Jerod.... tell us how you really feel... do you like the vest or not? YES... great review... I must be pretty particular on my vest/pack. I'm on my forth one in six years. But now I may have to try another one... One question, though... are the zingers attached so they can't be moved? Are they placed where they are not "in the way?"... OK... I konw... that's TWO questions.... so sue me... Cabelas has the best picture of the front of the vest. It is also in their bargain cave on sale currently. They dont carry them in store, but will order them, I got mine in 5 days. Riverbum.com has a nice picture of the accessories. It is not 2 tone as that picture seems to indicate. One of the picts shows the intigrated zingers and the smallet "wallet like" pockets next to them. The pocket holds my forceps perfectly. You might also notice the LED light hanging from the front main zipper. It is a simple click on but bright LED. Not necessary, but a nice touch. You can also see the D rings. It is a 3/4 length vest. I am 6'4" and it hangs a few inches above my wading belt. Any other questions? And yes, my wife made me take it off the first night before i crawled into bed. It was my birthday gift from her though so it balances out -Jerod
Terry Beeson Posted November 3, 2006 Posted November 3, 2006 Yeah, but you got up in the middle of the night and put it back on, didn't you.... c'mon... fess up.... TIGHT LINES, YA'LL "There he stands, draped in more equipment than a telephone lineman, trying to outwit an organism with a brain no bigger than a breadcrumb, and getting licked in the process." - Paul O’Neil
Danoinark Posted November 3, 2006 Posted November 3, 2006 That is one busy vest..but I like it. I started out years ago with a vest, went through several, switched to various chest packs, went through a period of trying to be a minimilist. Put stuff in a fishing shirt. Got me a man bag like Beeson, went to another chest pack. Tried a fanny pack. Put stuff in an old hunting coat. Got another vest (mesh). Now have another vest. I plan on using this traditional vest I have now and maybe buried in it. I bet I have enough packs and vests to open my own used FF outlet. Also I apparently am OCD... Dano Glass Has Class "from the laid back lane in the Arkansas Ozarks"
Terry Beeson Posted November 3, 2006 Posted November 3, 2006 Your problem is you didn't get a man bag to match your wading boots, you silly boy.... OCD.... Old Confused Dontgiva#### TIGHT LINES, YA'LL "There he stands, draped in more equipment than a telephone lineman, trying to outwit an organism with a brain no bigger than a breadcrumb, and getting licked in the process." - Paul O’Neil
MTM Posted November 4, 2006 Posted November 4, 2006 I wish I could still wear a vest. Do to all the surgery I have had on my throat and neck area I jusrt can't support one. I had a Simms Guide vest for years and loved it. But it was just to hard on my neck with all the weight. A good friend that is in the business sent me a chest pack that has shoulder straps and no weight on you neck at all. I have it full and ready to go but I have to admit I have not used it yet do to surgery again. But it is ready to go when I am ready. I gave my Simms guide vest to a good friend in Wisconsin that guides. I know he will get a lot of use out of it. Ron
Kansas Fly Fisher Posted November 4, 2006 Posted November 4, 2006 Seems like Dano and I have the same problem. I started out with a basic vest, moved to a chest pack (or two), then to the fanny pack, back to another vest and now have yet another vest. My wife bought me the Fishpond® Gore Range Tech Pack for our anniversary and I love it. I agree with Jerod, I believe the vest is right behind the rod and reel in importance. It must be comfortable, have enough space for all the "essential junk" plus some extra. I really like the Fish Pond for those reasons. The lower pockets hold my fly boxes like they were made for them. There are plenty of loops and D-rings on the chest for attaching "stuff." There's plenty of pockets and the pockets have enough room without having to overcrowd one. I can carry all the stuff I need for the day, plus extra and it's not so bulky that it gets in the way. The neck and shoulder area is padded and comfortable for a long day on the water. It also adjusts to my "oversize front built-in work table." I'll probably keep this one around for a while. John Born to Fish, Forced to Work KSMEDIC.COM
vanven Posted November 4, 2006 Author Posted November 4, 2006 Yeah, but you got up in the middle of the night and put it back on, didn't you.... c'mon... fess up.... I do wear it occasionally while i check the boards. Not now though, burr leather chair on skin. LOL
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