Tackle pouches/chest boxes/ vests/ jackets- whatever you use, tell me!

[Recoil Rob]

I'm new and am already tired of trying to carry the stuff around in my shirt pockets and waders. What do you use?

I'm figuring that right now I'd rather get a pouch arrangement rather than a jacket so I don't have to wear the jacket in warmer weather.

The array of pouches that twist around to the side are mind boggling. I know that I have to make sure all hardware is corrosion proof. I looked at the Patagonia Double Haul, seems like a nice unit, but before I spend the money I'd like to hear from the voice of experience.

How much stuff do you actually have to carry around the beach with you? I'll be primarily fishing the CT coast and then southern New England.


Thanks, Rob

[Quicksilver]

I think what you might want to do is place the stuff you want to bring with you, (except the rod and reel and what you will be wearing) on a rug and take a look at it. Just start pareing it down. Big flies take up a lot of space. Poppers even more space. I don't fish with poppers, but I have one white hard foam popper head in my fly box. If I wanted I could slip the leader through the popper body, tie on a deciever, and instantly be fishing with a popper. The shape of the head of the popper is such that if I turn it around it becomes a slider. I fish out of a small boat now, but when I fished from shore I was able to get away with a Columbia Flats Pouch. The thing costs around $20. l am sure there is much better equiptment available now. I was fishing Brewster Flats. In addition to the pouch I always wore an L.L. Bean nylon pullover jacket which the company refered to as an anorack, (SP). The spare spool went in the anorack pouch.

[bluefishercat]

I haave a bag I bought at an Army Navy store. It is some kind of plastic covered material with a strap and snaps to close it. It has metal hardware but whatever they used for a finish has not corroded yet(2years). I just contact cemented a fly patch made of a commercial scrubee on the outside, and that works great. You can get one from your neighborhood custodian.
Pete

[Ray]

Here is all you need to carry your "stuff" for one day. A good hiking style fannypack. I have been doing this for many years fishing and guiding the flats of Cape Cod extensively. You can find a variety of fannypacks at most any place like REI. Bring a bag of the stuff you want to carry with and see how it fits in various packs.

I carry 2 waterproof fly boxes, one extra spool, leaders, knife, compass, pliers, first aid kit, and at least one waterbottle and snack. Cell phone goes in zippered wader pocket.

The advantages of the fanny pack are; comfortable to wear for long periods, out of the way when you don't need it, small and lightweight, easily carries everything you need.

If it doens't fit in a fannypack, you are carrying too much.

This system works great for me. Any questions please let me know.

Take a look at these packs from REI:
Small pack (http://www.rei.com/online/store/ProductDisplay?productId=3023609&storeId=8000&catalogId=40000008000&langId=-1)

Large Pack (http://www.rei.com/online/store/ProductDisplay?productId=11995782&storeId=8000&catalogId=40000008000&langId=-1)

Good Size For Fishing (http://www.rei.com/online/store/ProductDisplay?productId=47641630&storeId=8000&catalogId=40000008000&langId=-1)

Ray

Ps. Don't spend a lot on this item (no more than $40). It'll be something you will have to replace or upgrade every few years.

[Recoil Rob]

Thanks for the suggestins.

Ray, do you find the hardware on the REI stuff holds up in the salt environment?

Rob

[David Churbuck]

I have a small Wood River bag that I've used for the past five years, the longest tenure of any bag I've owned.

It's small and versatile. You can wear as a chest pack, on a waist belt (I have mine on my stripping backet belt, or over the shoulder on a shoulder strap. There are no metal fasteners or zippers. All closures are velcro.

It holds a single fly box, two spools of tippets, has a fleece "drawer" for flies, side pockets for bug spray, flashlights, nippers. Compartments for a leader or shooting head wallet ....

I can't say more than enough good things about the bag and am convinced, unless I lose it, that it will be with me for a very long time.
dc

[Recoil Rob]

Dave,
I went to the wood River website and they have about 5 lines of bags in 3 different sizes, quite a selection. I have a dealer near me, I'll check them out.


Thanks, Rob

[NHK]

I picked up a william joseph mini chest pack that works pretty well. It is adjustable, comfortable and does not hinder casting. It is small, but you can fit your basic equipment of flies, pliers, nippers on the swivel zingers,& leader/tippets in one of the pockets. It comes with a removable (via velcro) foam pad for your flies. I guess you could take it out entirely and place a fly box in its place it you prefer. Since is is new I can't vouch for the durablity of the pack/zippers but it looks and feels like a quality pack. I think I spent about $45 bucks on it. You can probably find a pack for less that will hold the same or more gear but this one is organized pretty well.

[Ray]

Most of the hardware on all the bags I've seen or used holds up just fine. Sometimes the fabrics are the first thing to go.