Fly Fishing Vest

Fly fishing vests have certainly evolved and today you can buy all manner of fly vests, chest packs, and guide packs that can swallow everything but the kitchen sink. However no matter how fancy they have become it is still important to consider comfort, convenience and to have easy access to all the pockets while at the same time be secure, many a fly box has been last seen floating down the next rapid because of poor vest pocket design.

Check out Great Fly Vests and Packs from Riverbum 

Also consider the color; most trout fishing requires some degree camouflage so choose a color that is most suited to the area you fish most. Most vests today have a comfortable yoke around the neck allowing the weight to be spread more evenly. This is important if you are out for a full days fishing and no doubt will be carrying plenty of gear and a loaded fly vest can weigh heavily on the back. The more comfort the better you will fish.

There are waist vests, bum bag vests and shorter fly fishing vests designed to be worn with waders, the latter being the favored vest. Although the bum bag style I prefer in warmer weather where you are wading river edges and streams in boots and shorts and need to be nimble around slippery rocks.
 
Items to carry in your vest

Side pocket LH or Rh 3 to 5 spools of leader tippet material, tapered leader, 2 yarn indicator dispensers (empty film containers) and spare indicators. Split shot container if needed

Side pocket opposite Line dressing, dry fly float ant, leader sink ant

Zip Pocket L or R Multi tool, sinking lines, floating lines, or shooting head on spare reel spool or fly reels if you have room.

Zip Pocket opposite Fly boxes, one for dry fly and one for wet flies and streamer fly.

Inside pockets Licenses, leader wallet, Safety matches, bug repellent, sun screen. Reading glasses

Front clips Line snipers & scissors on recoiling lanyards.

Back pocket Camera in waterproof bag, first aid kit, emergency blanket, and chocolate/muesli bars.

This is only a guide and depends on where you are going, on occasion when dry or nymph fishing in the summer I prefer to do without a fly vest altogether opting for only a long or short sleeve shirt with two pockets, one for a small fly box and the other for leader material. The only other equipment I take is a clip on retractable line clipper, hat and sunglasses.

Needless to say fly fishing vests are an indispensable part of the fly fishing culture. Time for an upgrade? click the link above to view the full range of vests available, awesome!