Garden State Trout

I bought a chest pack to hold my fishing gear. So far, everything looks like it'll work just fine but I haven't actually field-tested it yet.

To those who've fished with them: do you like them? Prefer them over vests?

Field test it ...
Some people love them, but I found it very annoying.
It kept getting in the way of my rod/reel handling.
IMHO:
If your skinny, it's like being fat.
If you're fat, it's like being even fatter.
I now use it to store extra flies in the truck.

Yes and yes. I like to travel light.

I tried chest and sling packs, found both annoying. Gave up vests years ago to hot in the warmer months.
I use a small waterproof hip pack.

I just keep everything I need in my wader pockets for the outing

Have both, prefer the vest.....less movement and easier to get what I need.

As an official fat guy, I did not like the chest pack. I got a small one and found it annoying. I dislike vests, but I see their usefulness, they were never comfortable for me, and I tended to load them up with everything. Additionally vests don't have a good spot to keep a water bottle. I switched to a sling pack after the vest and I sometimes like it. It has a dedicated bottle slot and can hold quite a bit including a sandwich. The net is awkward, and I still haven't figured out to make that work . Recently I have started to use a backpack in some situations. Especially if hike to the water is involved. It is very comfortable, there is plenty of freedom of movement and it can hold a substantial amount of stuff, especially things like food, coffee and jackets. The obvious downside to a pack is quick access to flies, tippets and other fishing stuff. I have been using an Osprey Talon 35 for a few years, and it is excellent for long days on the water. For shorter, close to home sessions I will stick to my sling pack.
YMMV

Thanks for the thoughts on chest packs.

I bought this one, deemed a "mirco chest pack": https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00MK ... UTF8&psc=1

During my outing yesterday, it performed well and didn't interfere with casting. It also allowed me quick access to my gear, so I'm keeping it!

I caught a few wild browns all on dry flies--6" or less, no pix--but I did take a few stream shots. This lower-half of this stream is stocked but the upper half near its headwaters is wild and, imo, quite beautiful. On a sad note, however, I noted some of the ash trees along the stream have been attacked by Emerald Ash Boer. I also found the STRANGEST flotsam and jetsam I've ever seen--a set of bagels trapped in front of an eddy

LOL with the bagels. Looks like someone dropped breakfast. What is upstream, looks like access is tight?

The single best thing to happen to me in the last 49 I've been fly fishing was to lose my vest and go chest pack. It's - for me at least - a quantum leap forward over the vest and I will never even remotely consider going back. I can think of no downsides and only upsides to making the switch. Your mileage may vary....

cappy wrote: ↑

Mon Apr 19, 2021 11:11 am

LOL with the bagels. Looks like someone dropped breakfast. What is upstream, looks like access is tight?

Very difficult casting...think: on your belly, sling-shot casts. But if you can land a fly in a nice little pool, you'll be rewarded. I brought my 7'9" if that helps.

If it weren't for the rocks, I would think that's the Toms.

Hey, B-Thomas--thanks for the tip about the Allen Bear Creek Micro Chest pack. Ordered one and it has remedied all sorts of dificulties for me--especially my net problem. Don't know how many times I've cursed at that landing net for coming around from the side of me, clashing with my wading stick, getting in the way--and catching sun from behind to light-up while I'm attempting stealth. Now, I've snapped a retractor on the chest pack's rear D-ring--and that damned net will behave!! Looking forward to the first field test!