I have tried every type of pack in existence and concluded that nothing beats a good vest. It doesn't sound like you need more storage than a vest provides. If you're open to vests, Redington makes some cheap ones that are quite good.

 

People will laugh, but I have enjoyed using this Piscifun branded fanny pack from Amazon:

Link

Hard to beat at ~$15 and has just enough space for the essentials.

 

People will laugh, but I have enjoyed using this Piscifun branded fanny pack from Amazon:
View attachment 286223
Link

Hard to beat at ~$15 and has just enough space for the essentials.

Looks like a well designed product. Dare I say, better designed than some $200 packs I've seen.

 

If you want something traditional and very useful, look at the sidebags at Emerger Fly Fishing. They have a good website. They are not inexpensive, but are made by a family business and would last several lifetimes I believe. They make this one and a smaller one. I've been pleased.

 

Started using the Simms G4 Pro sling last year. For me, it is very comfortable and just the right size to carry around all day on a stream trip. Usually keep it stocked enough to just swap fly boxes for throwing in the pram for a day of fishing as well, that way the sling can have a multiple use purpose and be more cost effective for me. Good luck and tight lines.

 

I love my William & Joseph exodus pack. Don't make them anymore, but can be found on the auction site from time to time. The vest on the front is removable from the pack, so you can roll pack only if you want.

Last year I got a fishpond bitch creek pack. It's Decent. I like the small detachable chest pack that comes with it (can fit two boxes and also has a foam patch on the front pocket). Great for taking essentials when getting out of the boat to swing a run.

On wading trips I usually clip the detachable pack on to the back. It's less convenient, but out of the way.

Overall, probably not worth the money. But it is well made and if you like the pack in the front center (doesn't work with a two hander) it's pretty solid, especially if you're only using single handers.

 

I haven't been a fishing vest guy since I was getting into it as a kid. I like the idea of sling packs but was disappointed after buying one and trying it out, just never felt comfortable. I always go back to and have settled on waist packs.

I have a couple William Joseph and Simms waist packs in various sizes that have done the job well. Last year I wanted something more waterproof and bought an OPST Rainforest roll top waist pack and love it so far. I thought I would hate the roll top but the price was right as comparable zippered waterproof packs were well over double the cost. Its a simple pack with ample storage for my needs and comes with a removable insert to help organize. I like the waist and shoulder straps, I hardly notice when I have it on and my jacket pockets are all still easily accessible.

For longer trips hiking away from the truck, I just purchased a Dryft roll top backpack. It just arrived and I haven't fished with it yet but it looks like a quality pack with features I was looking for, should keep my stuff dry and the price was also good compared to other options.

 

I never thought I'd like a sling pack but while in Cabelas in Sydney I spied an already cheap one on sale so I bought it . I carried it around unused for two seasons and then one day I used it . Holy shit what a nice pack . I cant recommend this one highly enough but beware of the price .

https://affiliate.cabelas.com/c/404...h6IjknhVd618B8vH8nW3c7ERIS7maAOqR2hJ0BZPU7Qhl0kxotihoaAlIXEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

For many trout trips, I absolutely love my Orvis Sling (middle size). For winter steelheading, my Patagonia waterproof sling works great and is comfortable & if I'm hiking a ways where I have to pack a bit more water, beer, etc. I have a decent backpack I bought from Sportsman's. I absolutely despise vests and front hanging bags. But that's just my personal preference I've developed over the years.

 

Big slingpack fan

 

I have used a sling pack, vest, hip pack and am going to try a lanyard. Lanyard will be good for me 3-4 hour outings. Vest can get overloaded easily. but it's the best between packs/fanny pack/vest.

 

View attachment 286292

Another vote for the OPST rolltop waist pack. I've tried so many, hip, chest, backpacks, and vests that I didn't stick with for more than a season. This is by far the best solution for me.

 

Pack choices all depends on what you like. There are a lot of good options out there and even more bad ones. Personally, I don't like slings or vests and fish different packs in different situations.

 

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I like slingpacks, as I don't have to leave the water to access anything I need. I've had my Snowbee sling pack for quite a few years and am really happy with it. Lots of external pockets and water bottle pouch.

For very wet weather, I also have a Vision fully-waterproof sling....not quite the convenience of external pockets, but keeps everything dry and comfortable to wear.

 

I've been carrying a Duluth double shell bag for years. It has a big interior pocket and two smaller ones divided on the front, and a double buckle closure. I can put a couple of fly boxes, some tippet and such and a beer in the main pocket, some flotant and a camera in the divided ones, clip a net on the shoulder strap fitting, along with a zinger carrying nippers and forceps, and I'm good to go. If I need more room like for a jacket or something, I'm SOL.

My steelhead stuff is in a millitary surplus sling, and fits nice. A couple of fly boxes and head wallet, along with a few leaders and tools is all I need. I'm usually wearing the jacket.

My kids got me an Orvis Guide Sling last christmas (last year's model) and I'm intrigued so far, not a lot of miles on it but it seems to fit the bill outside of no particular good way of hooking up a net that I can see. The water bottle holder works good for bear spray, though.

 

I used to use a fanny pack, but I kept losing gear off of it. I have used several different vests. I have found that a fanny pack sucks and so does a vest. As you get older any thing you have to carry and it rests on your shoulder is a no-no. After I used to wear a vest all day. When I took it off it felt like about a ton was off my shoulders.

And since I can't wade and fish any more. I've done it differently now. I know where the fish live on a few pieces of Skinny water and found out that I can park close and fish, I do it. I park as close as I can to each place and sit in my pickup and rig my rods. I usually rig up two rods. And sometimes 3 rods. I tend to shake a bit when tying up small objects. So rigging up a fly rod takes me a while. Some time I get flustered when tying up a 2 fly rig. So sitting in my pickup helps me . But I still have the urge, but I seem to have lost my get up and go.

 

I haven't been a fishing vest guy since I was getting into it as a kid. I like the idea of sling packs but was disappointed after buying one and trying it out, just never felt comfortable. I always go back to and have settled on waist packs.

I have a couple William Joseph and Simms waist packs in various sizes that have done the job well. Last year I wanted something more waterproof and bought an OPST Rainforest roll top waist pack and love it so far. I thought I would hate the roll top but the price was right as comparable zippered waterproof packs were well over double the cost. Its a simple pack with ample storage for my needs and comes with a removable insert to help organize. I like the waist and shoulder straps, I hardly notice when I have it on and my jacket pockets are all still easily accessible.

View attachment 286292
For longer trips hiking away from the truck, I just purchased a Dryft roll top backpack. It just arrived and I haven't fished with it yet but it looks like a quality pack with features I was looking for, should keep my stuff dry and the price was also good compared to other options.

View attachment 286293

I've been using the dryft pack for three years now, it's my favorite pack. It's held up to a lot of abuse, it's comfortable, and has just the features I need (waterproof, rod holder, extra space for loading it up).

it's pretty lightweight too so with a small load it's no problem to keep on my back all day while fishing.

 

Finnish gas mask bag. Roomy enough for a wading jacket, lunch and gear. Inside pockets. Canvas, sling works best on right shoulder with waist strap. Basic, $ 8.00 surplus.

 

Followed this tip and got one. It's a great bag. I waxed mine with a bar of canvas wax.

 

All depends on the mission footprint. Normally for a couple hours out with a liter of water I wear one of my slings. Long day hiking away from the car I use my fishpond vest backpack. If I have a real long day, I have an old camelback ski backpack that has a Fishpond chest pack that buckles to it.

 

Does anyone have a particular bag or sling pack that they like for carrying their gear while wading??

I usually carry three fly boxes, leaders, tippet, some indicators, nippers, forceps,floatant,small shot,a water bottle, and a sandwich or bag of trail mix. I'm not a real gadget guy. I keep it pretty simple.

I have a Fishpond Delta Slingpack. This particular sling pack was released in 2015. I purchased one as a closeout from a fly shop when I was on vacation. (I like to buy something from the local fly shop whenever I'm on a fishing trip to leave some coin in the pocket of a local shop owner or guide. ) I have used this sling pack on two trips for a total of about 8 days on the water and...

I absolutely hate the thing.

It is huge.. I can't get used to it. I think it is the padded compartments that run up my side and under my arm. It really interferes with my casting stroke. It feels like I am carrying a small child in my lumbar region all day long. I took a tumble in the river while wearing this pack and lost my hand net that was in the net keeper as well. Fishpond discontinued this thing. Perhaps it was because it wasn't a great design from the start.

I have been wearing an old Filson strap vest for a long time.It can be raised damn near your armpits and carries all I need for multiple days fishing.

 

Finnish gas mask bag. Roomy enough for a wading jacket, lunch and gear. Inside pockets. Canvas, sling works best on right shoulder with waist strap. Basic, $ 8.00 surplus.

I have one of these and love it. I am seriously considering going back to it. I cut off the rubberized cover and attached a piece of wool blanket as a flat to prevent items from falling out. I sewed a flap to the bottom of the wool and inserted weights inside to keep the flap down. It is a really great, simple bag.

 

I bought this little submersible hip pack from Mustad for $45. It looks like it is going to be just the right size. It is 1 inch smaller in width than the comprable Simms pack and cost about $150 less. It holds all of my gear. The submersible fabric is very crisp to the touch. I thought it would be more rubberized. I haven't had it on the water yet. The only downside is that it doesn't have a drink holder. I have a cheap hydration pack that I bought for $20 that I have had for many years. I'll just use that thing to carry lunch and drinks.

The little Mustad pack has a detachable shoulder strap. It easily converts this little waist bag into a chest pack and provides a place for me to sew on a d loop to attach my net off of my shoulder or base of my neck.

In winter, I fish with everything packed in my Patagonia SST. Fly boxes go in chest pockets, net hangs at D ring at the top center of my back. Sandwich and trail mix in the back pocket. I think I'm set.

Thanks for the feedback, folks!

 

I haven't been a fishing vest guy since I was getting into it as a kid. I like the idea of sling packs but was disappointed after buying one and trying it out, just never felt comfortable. I always go back to and have settled on waist packs.

I have a couple William Joseph and Simms waist packs in various sizes that have done the job well. Last year I wanted something more waterproof and bought an OPST Rainforest roll top waist pack and love it so far. I thought I would hate the roll top but the price was right as comparable zippered waterproof packs were well over double the cost. Its a simple pack with ample storage for my needs and comes with a removable insert to help organize. I like the waist and shoulder straps, I hardly notice when I have it on and my jacket pockets are all still easily accessible.

View attachment 286292
For longer trips hiking away from the truck, I just purchased a Dryft roll top backpack. It just arrived and I haven't fished with it yet but it looks like a quality pack with features I was looking for, should keep my stuff dry and the price was also good compared to other options.

View attachment 286293

If this little Mustad pack I bought doesn't work out, I'm buying the OPST.

 

No complaints yet on my Fishpond Flathead.

I'm more of a backpack guy but the sling is nice for quick outings.

 

A plain old backpack is what I use. I used to use a vest (nice to have your flies and tippets at the ready), but having that weight in the front gets annoying over the course of a long day. Gets annoying if I have to make several fly changes/etc., but it seems to be the best all-around tool to me.