Rusty Hook
06-07-2005, 10:18 AM
Ever sence Lee Wolff invented the Fishing Vest, fishing vests have been the uniform of the day for fly fishermen every where. But a vest is not the most efficient or comfortable way for a backpacking angler to go. Vests take up too much room in your pack and they are difficult to use when you are fishing in full pack mode. Vests also tend to be hot and uncomfortable a lot of the time. A better solution to carrying your tackle is to use a chest/lumbar tackle pack.
This style of tackle pack is small and compact, much cooler and more comfortable to use and carry than a vest. You can fish out of them while traveling in full pack mode or for deep wading by using them as a chest pack. For day trips made without your pack, they will often function better when used as a lumbar pack. They are set up and organized to carry just about anything and everything a fly fisherman could need or want, and many cost obout half of what a comparable quality vest costs.
LL Bean's Modular Fishing System looks like it could easily be adapted to Kifaru's pack's suspension systems. There are two sizes, Regular: 8" high x 10" wide X 2 and a half inches deep, at 29.00 dollars; And the Large: 9" high x 11" wide x 3 and three quarter inches deep, at 39.00 dollars. llbean.com/fishing Both of these packs would fit on your pack's suspension system like the Kifaru HandWarmer Pouch does.
Simms makes an applicible model called the Dry Creek Waterproof Chest/Hip Pack. It has two built in retractors, a removable foam liner, water resistant zippers, a large main compartment to hold fly boxes and other tackle, and two zip outside pockets to hold tippet and leaders. There are two wing zip pockets on the belt for small fly boxes. Dimentions: 12 x 7 x 5". Color: Coal. Price 69.95. <a href="http://www.mrfc.com" target="_blank">http://www.mrfc.com (http://www.mrfc.com)</a>
Patagonia makes a Hip Pack, including their famous techniology and minimalest approach to angling in this light weight hip pack. It has a generious main interrior, with dividers and a zippered outter pocket. Dimentions: 13 x 7 x 6", 85.00 dollars, <a href="http://www.theflyshop.com" target="_blank">http://www.theflyshop.com (http://www.theflyshop.com)</a>
Orvis is making a setup called the Safe Passage Waist & Chest Pack Combo, which is ideal for hike in fishing. It consists of a modular chest pack, with a drop down front, internal dividers for fly boxes and gear inside the main compartment, a pliers sheath, zinger garage, and D-rings placed on the outside of the pack. The waist pack dimentions are: 14 x 9 and a half x 5," and water bottles and carriers are included. The chest pack zipps to the waist pack for transport. Chest pack dimentions are: 9 x 6 x 2". The price for the two units is 79.00 dollars. I couldn't locate an Orvis catalog but this one is also available at the above price through <a href="http://www.feathrtcraft.com" target="_blank">http://www.feathrtcraft.com (http://www.feathrtcraft.com)</a>
This listing is by no means a total of what there is out there available. It is a partial listing of a cross section of tackle pack styles and options that a backpacking angler might find desirable and useful. If you decide to give chest/Lumbar Tackle Packs a try, you may find yourself no longer using your fishing vest after giving them a try. I know that I have several vests that just sit in my closet because they are no longer used...Rusty
This style of tackle pack is small and compact, much cooler and more comfortable to use and carry than a vest. You can fish out of them while traveling in full pack mode or for deep wading by using them as a chest pack. For day trips made without your pack, they will often function better when used as a lumbar pack. They are set up and organized to carry just about anything and everything a fly fisherman could need or want, and many cost obout half of what a comparable quality vest costs.
LL Bean's Modular Fishing System looks like it could easily be adapted to Kifaru's pack's suspension systems. There are two sizes, Regular: 8" high x 10" wide X 2 and a half inches deep, at 29.00 dollars; And the Large: 9" high x 11" wide x 3 and three quarter inches deep, at 39.00 dollars. llbean.com/fishing Both of these packs would fit on your pack's suspension system like the Kifaru HandWarmer Pouch does.
Simms makes an applicible model called the Dry Creek Waterproof Chest/Hip Pack. It has two built in retractors, a removable foam liner, water resistant zippers, a large main compartment to hold fly boxes and other tackle, and two zip outside pockets to hold tippet and leaders. There are two wing zip pockets on the belt for small fly boxes. Dimentions: 12 x 7 x 5". Color: Coal. Price 69.95. <a href="http://www.mrfc.com" target="_blank">http://www.mrfc.com (http://www.mrfc.com)</a>
Patagonia makes a Hip Pack, including their famous techniology and minimalest approach to angling in this light weight hip pack. It has a generious main interrior, with dividers and a zippered outter pocket. Dimentions: 13 x 7 x 6", 85.00 dollars, <a href="http://www.theflyshop.com" target="_blank">http://www.theflyshop.com (http://www.theflyshop.com)</a>
Orvis is making a setup called the Safe Passage Waist & Chest Pack Combo, which is ideal for hike in fishing. It consists of a modular chest pack, with a drop down front, internal dividers for fly boxes and gear inside the main compartment, a pliers sheath, zinger garage, and D-rings placed on the outside of the pack. The waist pack dimentions are: 14 x 9 and a half x 5," and water bottles and carriers are included. The chest pack zipps to the waist pack for transport. Chest pack dimentions are: 9 x 6 x 2". The price for the two units is 79.00 dollars. I couldn't locate an Orvis catalog but this one is also available at the above price through <a href="http://www.feathrtcraft.com" target="_blank">http://www.feathrtcraft.com (http://www.feathrtcraft.com)</a>
This listing is by no means a total of what there is out there available. It is a partial listing of a cross section of tackle pack styles and options that a backpacking angler might find desirable and useful. If you decide to give chest/Lumbar Tackle Packs a try, you may find yourself no longer using your fishing vest after giving them a try. I know that I have several vests that just sit in my closet because they are no longer used...Rusty