Fly Fishing Vest

Fly Fishing Vest

Fly fishing gift for my husband: fanny pack, vest pack, back pack or chest pack?

My husband asked for a fanny pack for fly fishing, but I'm wondering if maybe a chest pack or back pack may be more comfortable and functional - it carries a water bladder and keys, etc. I'd like some feedback on what has worked. We live in New England where he will need layers in winter, so I'm wondering if a Vest would be good? Thanks for your help!

This really is a matter of personal preference. However I personally like a fly vest, I use Fishpond, which do have space for a water bladder and much more. However from almost all of the chest packs I have seen none have space for a water bladder, this isn't to say that you couldn't put one in, however it would take up the space otherwise used for fly gear.

Obviously layering is important so a fly vest would work well, im going to leave you with two links, one to a fly vest which is a combo of a backpack and vest and another of the William Joseph chest packs, with the magnetic closing, personally i like this closing method as it not only keeps water out but there's no zippers to snag your fly line and they can be opened with one hand.

There is also a smaller chest pack available, in the same design as the one below

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/item-link.jsp_A&_DAV=MainCatcat20431-cat370015&id=0062721320703a&navCount=1&podId=0062721&parentId=cat370015&masterpathid=&navAction=push&catalogCode=XK&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat601233&hasJS=true

This vest has a built in backpack with space for a water bladder

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/item-link.jsp_A&_DAV=netcon&id=0031289943093a&navCount=3&podId=0031289&parentId=cat370015&masterpathid=&navAction=push&catalogCode=UK&rid=2146251080&parentType=index&indexId=cat601233&hasJS=true

Also William Joseph makes a fanny/waist pack with the same magnetic closings as their chest packs:

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/item-link.jsp_A&_DAV=MainCatcat20431-cat370015&id=0062720320704a&navCount=5&podId=0062720&parentId=cat370015&masterpathid=&navAction=push&catalogCode=XK&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat601233&hasJS=true

Simms has a cheaper waist pack option, however although waterproof it has zippers at around $79.99

Fly Fishing Gear

Every one knows there's more to fly fishing then a rod, reel, line and flies but most people have way to many accessories that can actually be a burden when fishing. So is there really a need for all the fly fishing accessories?

While every angler just loves to get there hands on any thing they can related to fishing, there are some items that are a must have when fly fishing. Besides the rod, reel and line there are other accessories that can some times be forgotten leaving a frustrated angler standing by the lake or river side cursing after loosing a big fish.

Of course you can go fishing and catch fish right after buying the basics but what about a specially designed fly fishing bag? A normal shoulder bag would do at the start but when your kit grows it will no longer suffice as you wont have the room to store items such as reels, line, fly boxes etc. That's why you should get a bag designed for fly fishing as it has all the pockets and different storage compartments for your different accessories making it much easier for you to find what your looking for by the waters edge.

Or maybe a fly fishing vest? Just as useful as a bag but you ca wear it, for some this can be a pro or a con. Next your going to need a net. Trying to play a fish and land it at the same time is hard to do but with out a net trying to land the fish with your hand then 9 times out of 10 your going to loose the fish. Make sure to buy a good strong landing net as they are invaluable.

Sunglasses are also a must have not only to protect your eyes from the glare off the water but also any flying hooks and will also help you see any fish in the top layers of the water column.

Floatant and Sinkant are two items every fly angler should have. If you decide to fish with dry flies then it is near impossible to get your fly to hold in the top film of water and mimic an actual natural fly with out using some floatant. When fishing nymphs, buzzers and wet flies you will need to apply sinkant to the leader so it will also sink and not hold your fly or flies in the top foot or two of water.

Forceps should always be at hand for unhooking fish with ease and a scissors is also a good tool which can come in handy on many occasions.

Fly boxes come in many different designs. Don't make things awkward by carrying big fly boxes crammed with every fly pattern you own. Instead, break down your fly patterns into different categories like dries, wets, nymph etc. and put them into small easy to carry fly boxes for convenience.

And last on the must have list of fly fishing accessories is a pair of waders. You can get them in many different styles but my personal favorite are chest waders as the allow you to wade as deep as necessary while also been able to keep you warm in the depths of winter

About the Author

To learn more about fly fishing accessories and must haves to improve your fishing dramatically check out http://www.flyfishing-for-beginners.com

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