Should I Choose a Vest?

Fly fishing vests are practical because you carry all you need with you. Some vests are insulated, thus adding warmth to your apparel.

Vests have multiple pockets, hooks, latches, mesh pockets, and other storing and docking places for you to store everything you want, from fly boxes, leaders/tippets to nippers, clamps, and water bottles.

If you place all the weight in a balanced way in the front and back, you won’t feel the weight of your vest on your shoulders. Everything you want can be reached immediately and replaced equally fast.

However, vests can’t store bigger objects. If you plan on spending more than a few hours angling, you will probably need a snack or some clothes in case you get wet. In this case, your vest can’t provide for all your needs.

Likewise, a vest could feel cumbersome if you are already wearing several layers of clothes to keep you warm during cooler months.

Even so, anglers love vests for their versatility and practicality. There’s a reason why they are a classic choice, perfect for both half-day and full-day fly fishing trips.

Are Backpacks Practical for Fly Fishing?

Backpacks can carry most of your necessary belongings, including fly fishing accessories, tools, and equipment like flies, lines, reels, indicators, clamps, and anything you need to help you with your fly fishing. Your backpack can also carry extra clothes, food, snacks, and water, as well as other things you need like polarized glasses.

Backpacks are great for longer fly fishing trips where you don’t want to run out of food or end up soaking wet without a change of clothes. However, they may be a bit awkward and unwieldy when you go on day trips where you don’t need all your angling paraphernalia. You may also find it difficult to access all the backpack’s pockets and hiding places when you are actively fishing in a river. Many backpacks are now made to attach a smaller hip/chest pack, so that you can convert to a smaller pack when you reach your fishing destination.

Backpacks have been made for fly fishing treks. They are soft and comfortable to carry because they have been made precisely to carry heavy equipment. All backpacks now come in waterproof materials with waterproof zippers. These are often completely submersible as well. If you plan on spending long stretches of time fly fishing, a backpack is a great option.

Should I Get a Hip Pack for Fly Fishing?

As its name suggests, a hip pack sits on your hips. It contains all your necessary equipment and tools and you can move it to your back when you are fishing so that it doesn’t impede your casting. Strap systems have made hip packs much easier to wear, they won’t slide down when you are walking/wading and the straps will usually have docking stations for your forceps, Zinger and nippers. Many companies are also adding net holsters to many of their products.

Hip packs don’t have the space of backpacks but can still carry all you need for a day trip. Keep in mind that your hip pack could get wet if you stand in deep rivers and rushing streams. In such cases, opt for a waterproof/submersible one to protect your belongings.

Can Slings Contain All the Equipment I Need?

Over the last 10 years the Sling pack has become very popular among anglers. Slings are worn over the shoulder and across one side. You would be amazed at how many things slings can contain. They have pockets and small compartments to help you place all your equipment effectively and within easy reach. The over the shoulder straps are convertible for right or left handed anglers. The straps are also made to hold the tools you need most like Nippers and forceps. The fact that all your stuff is behind you while fishing and when you need something you simply pull on the strap and it’s all right in front of you.

Besides carrying more than you’d think possible, slings are practical for an extra reason: they sit slightly higher than backpacks or hip packs. If you wade in deeper waters, your sling will probably stay dry.

Slings are an in-between option between a hip pack and a backpack: they carry a lot of things but are not as comfortable as a backpack on longer treks.

Can I Fly Fish with a Chest Pack?

The chest pack is attached to your body at chest level. It’s positioned in the front so you have quick and easy access to all its contents.

Chest packs can fit all your necessary equipment for a day trip. Chest packs usually have clever storage options, hooks, and other docking solutions to help you store your tools in an easy and methodical way.

If, however, you plan on walking long distances, a chest pack could feel uncomfortable and cumbersome. Also, a chest pack doesn’t have the capacity of a backpack.

Chest packs are great for day trips or short fly fishing excursions. They give you ample arm freedom and let you move around with your rod and reel. However many anglers feel that chest packs are in the way when fishing.

How Can I Make the Best Choice?

We suggest you evaluate the type of fly fishing you are most likely to do. If you have fly fishing spots near your home, you won’t need to carry a lot of equipment over long distances. A hip pack, sling, or chest pack could work just fine.

If you plan on discovering new fly fishing nooks and crannies across the United States, a backpack will help you carry all your belongings and then some.

Anglers who like to just take off on the spot for a couple of hours in the water will appreciate the practicality of a vest.

Most anglers choose two or three different bags and packs to be flexible and functional under all circumstances. After a little trial and error, you will find the storage apparel that best suits your personality and fly fishing style.