March 8, 2010
How to Choose a Fishing Vest
Fly fishing vests are an indespensable part of your fly fishing equipment. With the different styles of fishing such as dry fly and wet fly, to carry gear for each style required can become quite a load. A quality fly fishing vest should keep all your tools and extras organised and within easy reach, and in doing so make each outing an enjoyable and hopefully memorable experience.
As a case in point a days outing on a remote river requires that you carry a certain amount of gear. The fishing may differ, from fishing swift flowing water where you are fishing perhaps with a heavy nymph, or to slow deep pools using a sinking line and wet fly. You also could to encounter back eddies and shallow ponds where one could use a floating line and a dry fly. All of these conditions require varying lines and fishing flies. Being caught out by not carrying the right gear or equipment can be dissapointing.
Dependent on the amount of time you have you may also want to something to sustain you. When I spend a day on the river I would usually take lunch, a small billy and gas cooker if the area to be fished was in a fire restricted area. Also wet weather gear and spare clothing in the way of light weight but warm polypropelene shirt, socks and leggings. All of this gear requires a serious, good quality fishing vest.
Not only is the fly fishing vest a great way to keep your gear organized, but also makes sure that you have everything you need. With a well set up fly vest you can leave all your gear inside ensuring that the next time you venture out everything is where it should be. Get used to packing the same things in each pocket so you can intuitively find anything you need. Vests today have an abundance of pockets and compartments to carry anything is you need. Cell phone and camera pockets, pouches for torches,glasses, the list goes on.
Most people will have need for different fly vests. Myself I have two, one I use for fishing from a boat, canoe or where i know what to expect such as local lakes rivers an streams. This is a lighter vest for basic gear such as fly boxes, leaders, a spare spool, and perhaps an extra reel. On the other extreme is a full day pack or vest that can carry various reels, lines and gear for a long day hike.
Obviously the fishing vest you choose will suit your style of fishing, be prepared to spend a little extra and opt for quallity fly fishing vests such as a simms fishing vest, Like the rest of your fly equipment good quality will give years of enjoyment and fond memories.
Filed under Fishing Rod Building by Mick
