| Should I choose fly fishing vest or a chest pack | | | | 15-20 pockets and a variety of small, medium and |
| to carry my fly fishing gear? This seems to be a | | | | large size pockets. Any more than that can add |
| common question that gets asked in many fly | | | | confusion in trying to figure out which pocket |
| fishing forums and there are many opinions about | | | | contains what you are looking for. Also the |
| this topic. | | | | pockets should be designed so that they can |
| Both fly fishing vests and fly fishing chest packs | | | | easily be opened and closed with one hand. |
| have their pros and cons. It appears that | | | | Good quality fly fishing vests will also have things |
| everyone has their own specific reasons for | | | | like D rings and rod loops are also great features |
| choosing one style over the other and also a | | | | to have. D rings are convenient for attaching a |
| particular manufacturer. | | | | landing net, tools and other accessories, while rod |
| There are several manufacturers like Simms, | | | | loops will hold your fly rod and keep your hands |
| Colombia, Fishpond, Stearns and many others that | | | | free for tying line, releasing fish or rowing. |
| offer good quality fishing vests and chest packs. | | | | Fly Fishing Chest Packs |
| Below is a list of things to take into consideration | | | | There are several different styles of chest packs |
| when making a decision between a vest and | | | | available on the market today. Some chest packs |
| chest pack. | | | | have a single pouch in the front and there are |
| Fly Fishing Vests - Traditional or Mesh Vest? | | | | others that have double pouches in the front. |
| Traditional vests are fine but can be too warm | | | | Another style pack that is popular is the chest |
| and uncomfortable to wear in hot weather. When | | | | back pack system. Some of these allow you to |
| fishing in warmer weather a mesh vest is a | | | | detach the vest part from the pack so you can |
| better choice because by design its breathable, will | | | | use them separately if you choose to. This chest |
| keep you cooler and more comfortable. | | | | pack is great if you are planning a long day of fly |
| In the region were I fish, which has four seasons, | | | | fishing or even a weekend fishing trip. They have |
| I prefer a mesh over the traditional fly fishing | | | | plenty of storage for all of your fly fishing gear, |
| vests because of its versatility. If you order a | | | | extra layers of clothing, water, food, and even a |
| mesh vest one size up from the size you would | | | | small stove. |
| normally wear you will be able to wear an extra | | | | Some things I have heard fly fishers complain |
| layer of clothing underneath, like a wading jacket | | | | about is that some fly fishing chest packs stick |
| or rain gear. This will keep you more comfortable | | | | out too far in front of you and they prevent you |
| when fishing in colder or rainy weather conditions. | | | | from being able to see your feet or rocks when |
| Other Basic Features to Consider When Looking | | | | wading. Others like them because they claim that |
| For Fly Fishing Vest: | | | | they are easy and more comfortable on their |
| No matter what style fishing vest you decide on, | | | | shoulders. |
| an important feature to consider is does the vest | | | | Summary: Consider this just a basic guide of |
| have enough pockets to carry your flies, leaders, | | | | things to consider that will best fit your needs |
| tippets, extra reels/spools, tools and other fly | | | | when looking for a new fly fishing vest or fly |
| fishing tackle. Typically a vest should have at least | | | | fishing chest pack. |