the problem of the pack

like a lot of guys out there

I've been trying to solve the tackle carrying dilemma

eventually, it seems, many give up on their vests...

they're capable of carrying way too much stuff

much of which you carry, but never need or use

no point in that...

so we try any number of the packs out there

day packs, fag bags (fanny or lumbar packs), or dedicated fishing packs

about twenty years back I bought a fag bag for hiking the western forests

mountains and waterways

worked great for that and fishing for a long damn time

nevertheless, I'd still find myself carrying too much

fagbag pictured above
iconic photo by matt schliske 

I opted to use my pockets and a tiny altoids tin full of dry flies

now we're getting somewhere

why leave good enough alone then?

good question inadequately answered

I guess because we are never satisfied w/ the status quo...

I had a cabelas gift certificate

I used it on a humongo river guide lumbar pack

complete w/ rainfly and detachable chest pack

oh did I mention I tried one of those too?

I like to be able to see my feet and where I place them while wading

no go...

that cabelas pack when loaded up and hitched around my hips 

weighed about as much as a suitcase

another no go

after reading for recommendations for fishing packs

on an internet fishing board

I did a little quick and dirty analysis of the offerings

from some industry leaders

(you know who they are)

and found that most are remarkably over-priced

despite being extremely well made

best value came from cabelas - always first choice for the angler on a tight budget

surprisingly, the next two were a bit shocking...

orvis' sling pack and the filson waist pack

really?  filson is cheaper than fishpond?

at least if yer wearing a filson, you look like yer headed to do battle w/ fish

and not a battalion of aliens...

actually that's  just a matter of personal preference...

sure took me a long time to get to the point I've been trying to make...

I had an old filson chest/backpack that I'd traded for

simple and attractive and actually pretty damned comfortable

sling/suspension system

chestpack shown above
photo shot by josh smith
"fishin' not fashion"

I've decided to give it a shot this summer

first time out - saturday at the the ferry

bag holds a surprising amount of shit

as a matter of fact - far too much

and while it never got uncomfortable or even in the way

it was still overkill

f'r instance I had four  or five flyboxes 

when nearly everything I used came from one small one
which included weight and strike indicators
put together specifically to fish here

I had spares of everything I could have needed

well, except for floatant (partner forgot his)

and a lighter (mine fell into the drink at some point)

and well, I dumped it at lunchtime and resorted to my pockets for the rest of the day

now I'm going to continue to field test this pack,

the question remains...why?  when I can fit most everything in my pockets...
and there is an answer