What's everyone's favorites? I've got a Simms roll top fanny pack from a few years ago, but with all the new ones out there, I'm getting the itch to try a new one. However, going to the local shop and checking them out isn't an option for me....seeing as I don't have a local shop within 100 miles.
Not really looking for a chest pack. I've been down that road and they don't work well for me.
Thanks.
Last edited by Ol'DirtyCaster; 12-30-2011 at 03:42 PM.
Ranger 200C/Yamaha 225 Sport
Originally Posted by esoxfly
I'm with you there. The chestpack is the most rediculous design for bag, it's almost like they sat down and thought of the most inconvenient and obtrusive place to carry a bag.
I've been using the William Joseph satchels for close to a decade, but they've stopped making them. I get great deals on fishpond stuff, but they don't make a sling. The sling pack made by orvis is functional but it just doesn't look like it put together very well. My bag is on it's last leg (and it stinks), so I'll be watching this thread closely.
I have a ton of bags but generally I prefer old digital camera bags.
Many of them are waterproof (if thats important to you), well built, light, and plenty of storage. I'm somebody who takes a very minimalistic approach. When I carry a bag the most important thing is that the bag allows me to push it over to my back when I dont need it, but allows me to drop it down to my side so everything is easily accessible. Camera bags are designed to do all of this.
If you're a thrifty kind of a guy, you can find tons camera bags for under $10 at a thrift store.
This is the bag I fish with 80% of the time. It carries about twice as many flies as I could ever use in a day, 3 leaders and tippet, and a pair of forceps. the main pocket fits all of those perfectly. I dont even usually need the front pocket. I could easily fit 2-3 dozen flies in that box. And if I'm planning on throwing wet socks, I can fit about 12-15 of those.
Sage Typhoon Waist Pack best I've found here http://www.sageflyfish.com/DXL-Typhoon-Waist-Pack.html These are not completely waterproof (zipper on top is water resistant with a flap over) but size is perfect for wading and if I know it's going to get submerged just hoist it up over the shoulder. I use a small waterproof box to carry truck keys in and fishing license just in case. You can find for $99.00 if you hunt around web.
BTW fly shelf and tippet pouch work great...just pull a small section thru grommet hole and you can pull tippets as needed. The large waist pack is too obtrusive for my liking although it actually has a waterproof zipper you can read review here http://www.deneki.com/2009/10/sage-t...t-pack-review/. Wish Sage had put one on their smaller pack as I would have paid to add one. Neat thing is you can nest your fly rod in against back of pack while changing flies, adding tippet and it will stay put.
One more thing...tried the Sagebrush pack made in Alaska, while these are completely waterproof it's just one large open pack with a waterproof zipper, no separate compartments and nothing to keep the form of the pack in shape. I bought initially thinking it was the ticket but sent it back.
Also if using any serious camera gear I would get the large typhoon for it's waterproof zipper and larger carry capacity. THAT IS ALL MY $.02 for what its worth.
Last edited by thinfisher; 12-30-2011 at 08:01 AM.
Orvis makes a great sling pack. I use one for striped bass..not so sure about warm weather flats stalking.
I've been using an XSTREAM bag from Seattle. The strap goes over your shoulder, but the bag hangs under your arm. Never had a problem with casting. Holds everything I need for wading on the flats. Got it from Feather-Craft over 10 years ago. Closest thing they have now is the Fishpond San Juan Vertical Chest Pack. If you like it, buy two. The maker is sure to discontinue the product just when you need another one.
Thanks guys. I like the look of that Sage pack. I'll look around for those. Anyone use the Simms headwaters packs? I like all my Simms bags and stuff I have now, just haven't seen their new stuff in-hand.
Hey ODC, in my haste, I swapped letters on "waist" and we're talking about "wasit" packs and I feel like a mornon. No edit button for me on that first post...can you wave your Mod Magic Wand and bail me out?
Ranger 200C/Yamaha 225 Sport
Thank you sir.
Ranger 200C/Yamaha 225 Sport
I've read enough positive comments about the William Joseph Surge waist pack with it's magnetic closures, well laid out design AND well designed water bottle pockets that it's peaked my interest. Tough to find one that is ideal, but this one is supposedly pretty close.
Esoxfly; I generally like and have Simm's products in my fishing arsenal, but after reading extensively about posts where the Simms headwater packs leak in a good rainstorm it swayed me to the Sage; no dog in the hunt here one way or other just giving you MO based on research I dug up! Doubt the Sage will leak in a rainstorm due to the flap and semi-waterproof zipper although not yet been tested by me. I have submerged mine momentarily and the inner pocket did not leak; the outer one obviously will as holes exist for tippet material in that one. BTW Sage uses magnetic closures also and one of the features I really like about their pack.
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