Fly fishing gift for my husband: fanny pack, vest pack, back pack or chest pack?
Posted by admin on Monday, September 6th, 2010
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! 
Filed in Fly Fishing Flies | 9 responses so far
Joshon 06 Sep 2010 at 3:30 pm 1I prefer the chest pack. It is much more functionable and versatile.
Richieon 06 Sep 2010 at 4:00 pm 2I have a friend on the USA fly fishing team and he always uses a vest. You can hand a small net from it and you have full maneverability of you arms to cast. I also use the vest because it has a lot of pockets for usefull equipment.
Wsma2004on 06 Sep 2010 at 4:10 pm 3All my fishing buddies prefer the vest because it doesnt get in your way and its pretty comfortable. They have a lot of pockets and stuff for organizing and its worry free…unlike the backpack where you have to remember not to forget it lol. and the fanny pack, not enought room and messy.
joedon 06 Sep 2010 at 5:10 pm 4I have found that a sling pack gives me the best of both world. It’s adjustable to fit over heavy or light clothing, you wear it out of the way behind you, yet it very easily slides top the front for access. It holds more than a chest pack does and has a detachable pocket that can be kept somewher else or used alone when not as much gear is needed.
Check it out here: http://www.orvis.com/store/product.aspx?pf_id=96Y1&dir_id=758&Group_ID=781&cat_id=5093&subcat_id=6670
bob326on 06 Sep 2010 at 5:29 pm 5If your husband asked for a waist pack (sounds more manly than fanny pack), I assume this is what he wants. Get him that.
I personally use a vest, but that is just my preference after having tested various designs. I know some friends swear by a chestpack, or a backpack, or etc. It really depends on the fisherperson.
Kevin Bon 06 Sep 2010 at 5:40 pm 6Heres a link to a fanny type pack that comes loaded with goodies. It has a couple water bottles with it as well.
http://www.kmdtackle.com/loon-fishing-system.html
Merry Christmas!!
AIRFLOWon 06 Sep 2010 at 6:14 pm 7This 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
eat_slp.fishon 06 Sep 2010 at 6:28 pm 8as a Vermont fisherman i am accustomed to the whole weather issue .
with extra layers the chest pack can be some what restricting but as warmer weather comes it is ideal.
a vest that is both breathable and adjustable is a much better set up offering plenty of pockets and a range of sizes ,making it possible to use on those nasty April days when ever die hard trout fisherman has to go fishing with out restricting range of motion ,but comfortable to wear during the hot and sticky summer months as well
the fanny pac though it offers some extra space tend to be more of hindrances than help
wana bigger bikeon 06 Sep 2010 at 6:36 pm 9i like to stay away from backpacks you will usually end up filling it up with more stuff than you need. chest packs are idk not my favorites they kinda bug me. my vest i love i got one with a bunch of pockets so i do have to be careful not to over load it but its nice and cool in the summer. i also like my fanny pack it just doesnt have enough organization for me but it serves its purpose well.
but if hes going to be doing a lot of winter fishing get a chest pack because it will fit over his warm winter gear nicely. if he has a vest it will need to be a size or two bigger for winter fishing ti fit over coats but in summer it will drown him it will be so big. (not literally drown but be to baggy)