[Sandy Nelson]

Ughhh...... Here i go again.

Car is nice and clean, post winter proper clean, 4hrs worth of rinsing, cleaning, De-tar spotting, pre wax and 2 coats of Hybrid wax. Proper wheels and tyre's back on, they've been waxed as well, even the exhaust has been polished. Looks Awesome
Had a haircut and now i sit down to relax and my little brain is overflowing with ideas.

So it starts out with a plan to look for a plastic reel for the estuary and ends up with catalogues read back to front just to look at the nice pictures

So in the orvis catalogue is an interesting fishing bag which strikes me as being quite clever, probably not new but the first time i've come across it and paid any attention. Its called a Sling Pack and looks smart in Digi Camo.

Now i've been toying with the idea of changing from using a waistcoat this year, but then a look in the cupboard reveals 3 waistcoats , a rake upstairs reveals 2 traditional fishing bags (which i tend to use for holding stuff in the boot of the car before i load the waistcoat) , a flats pack and a mini chest pack (this gets used down the Ythan and holds just enough to make me minimalist  ).
This makes me wonder what the Sling pack might be like for the Don. Will it hold 3 Wheatley 6" size fly boxes, my camera, a small spare spool and a lightweight packable raincoat.
I can see from the pictures it will take my snips, forceps, tippet and floatant in a rather clever way, a bit like a waistcoat.
However can i hang a wooden handle net from it practically? Like my waistcoat I do like the idea of not having things in front of me when casting and plodging around on the river.

Does anyone have one already? Or Ben, do you have one in the shop i can come and play with Might be an excuse to look at the Encounter reel as well

Sandy

[Matt Henderson]

I think Iain has the entire range!

[Will Shaw]

Hey Sandy

It really depends on the size of your camera. If it's a compact camera and a very packable (paclite or summat) raincoat then I think you'd be in with a shout. There's a loop on there to hang a net off if i remember right.

BUT...

I think if you hang on you'll see the new Guide Sling pack which is bigger but on the same design template. I've not seen this in the flesh but the vids on line look good. Dunno if it's arrived in-store yet. Ben?

Btw I like your sunny optimism about having to keep the raincoat in the pack! 

W.

[danbruce]

Here is what i have decided to try out this season Sandy
http://www.visionflyfishing.com/page.php?c=46&page_id=33&pid=178

Used it for the first time on the Deveron last week, i managed to fit all i needed for my days fishing in it.
3 reels, 4 spools of tippet, 2 fly boxes, some food, water and some extra cold weather gear ect. Didn't think i would get so much in it. Also i could hang my net from the 'D' ring on the back of it.
It didnt hinder my casting and also sat high enough on the body not to get wet while wading in deepish water.

Cheers,
Dan

[Loxiafan]

Had my beady eye on Orvis Guide Sling pack - not in shop on Thursday though  A few folks complain it gets in the way of casting so I'd want to try it first.

I bought a fancy Tailwaters wading jacket but it does not hold everything I need, so I do need something ?

Lindsay

[Derek Roxborough]

how many waistcoats? you will be branded as a tackle tart, I used to do my fishing with a bumbag which held all my essentials, but I carry a wee stove so now I have  a waistcoat And a small rucksack, my sherpa doesnt fish any more so this year I will be mainly back to a mesh waistcoat,from the States, I hope I dont forget my rod,  easgach 1

[Iain Goolager]

I have one from when the livery was olive and grey.

I really liked it as far as luggage goes and it holds a shed load of kit. There was also a further pouch that clipped onto the face of the pack. If memory serves me well it had a D ring or similar for a net which sits fine until you have to sling the pack round to your front to access stuff, which is only to be expected.
I could speculate further but to be spot on it'd be better if I get it out and take a phot or two, I can do this once the snapper is in his bed.
You are also welcome to trial it but I'd never part with it.

Iain

Best ever vest is the Simms Vertical Master

I have a Simms chest pack to try this season, in my ever continuing search for the Holy Grail. Only problem is where to hang my net when I don't have a jacket on. I have seen something though...

[Sandy Nelson]

how many waistcoats? you will be branded as a tackle tart

 

That made me laugh properly, thank you for making my evening

Sandy

[Iain Goolager]

The add on pouch - enough room for a fly box and camera in a hard case.




The quick release fastener for adding pouch to main pack




The main front pouch - enough room for 2 off C&F large fly boxes




A nice touch - pouch for a set of forceps




The main compartment - holds a heap (bottle of Robinsons for scale)




The generous & comfortable shoulder strap with 'D' Ring for net




A nice touch - moulded soft 'fish' zip toggles

Sandy, I haven't had a close look at the new version but I don't think that the features are identical to the new camo version. There is one in Banchory which is handy for you to look at     

As I said before, I like mine & the fact that I only use it now and again is no slur on it's functionality.


Iain

[Euan Innes]

OK, so two things here.

One - An Orvis pro wading jacket will sort out what you want to carry without the man-bag / fanny pack / slingback bag and will keep you warm and dry. Loads of room for all the extras (and Robinsons barley water)
and two,

Car is nice and clean, post winter proper clean, 4hrs worth of rinsing, cleaning, De-tar spotting, pre wax and 2 coats of Hybrid wax. Proper wheels and tyre's back on, they've been waxed as well, even the exhaust has been polished. Looks Awesome

Dude that is so premature! Post winter my shiny metal ass! We'll have another month of the cold, snowy stuff yet mate, so sit tight on the throne and look at more catalogues and don't slide off the road on those summer tyres.

 

[Loxiafan]

One - An Orvis pro wading jacket will sort out what you want to carry without the man-bag / fanny pack / slingback bag and will keep you warm and dry. Loads of room for all the extras (and Robinsons barley water)
and two,

Tailwaters, great jacket but no enuff room for a' my sh1te ! So Orvis 'manbag' for me when the Guide sling is available !

Dan, I cannae bring myself to buy anything that says "bra" in the label, though perhaps someone is trying to tell me something ! 

Lindsay

[Sandy Nelson]

OK, so two things here.

One - An Orvis pro wading jacket will sort out what you 
Dude that is so premature! Post winter my shiny metal ass! We'll have another month of the cold, snowy stuff yet mate, so sit tight on the throne and look at more catalogues and don't slide off the road on those summer tyres.

Cheers Euan

The car is positive thinking that perhaps the weather gods will look down and go well it must be time for spring now, the LDO's are trying it, so I though I might too, besides the weather was perfect for waxing a car yesterday and she sorely needed some attention after all the salt. So I went for it. If nothing else then she has some good protection for the coming weeks.

The jacket idea is also something i was thinking about. I'm carrying 3 fly boxes, a compact camera, a small spare spool, 3 spools of tippet, some accessories (forceps, floatant, etc) a permit and a wooden net. A bottle of water is likely and a snickers along with my packable jacket. So it wouldn't take up much room and fits a waistcoat quite neatly. Only drawback
with the coat is I like to fish in shirtsleeves so I would take it off. and that kinda defeats the plan. Hence why I was thinking bags, that I can wear while wading.

Thanks everyone else for the suggestions, I think the guide version is going to be unnecessarily large for what I want.
Dan, regarding the new vision products, it has connotations that might suit some  but It has too much out front for me

Will have to find a window to pop across to banchory.
 

Sandy

[danbruce]

Dan, I cannae bring myself to buy anything that says "bra" in the label, though perhaps someone is trying to tell me something !  

Yes i know who ever decided on the name should be shot.

Good luck in finding what your looking for Sandy.

 

[Marc Fauvet]

Yes i know who ever decided on the name should be shot.

in Swedish, bra means 'good' and mycket bra 'very good' or literally 'much good'.
after WJ bags (way after...) it is indeed probably the best chest pack there is but i wholeheartedly agree whoever came up with such a stupid name should be shot repeatedly... 

anyhow, a nice feature with the slings is having the net swing around and sitting right on top of the bag preventing access to the bag when you need it...   the best part about sling bags is they a little easier than other models to sling far away into a dump pile or fire once you've realized what utter bunk they are.

cheers,
marc

[Sandy Nelson]

anyhow, a nice feature with the slings is having the net swing around and sitting right on top of the bag preventing access to the bag when you need it...   the best part about sling bags is they a little easier than other models to sling far away into a dump pile or fire once you've realized what utter bunk they are.

Now thats the answer i was expecting, thank you Marc. From the pictures i've seen thats what i was expecting to happen, i was wondering if it would

Back to the drawing board and NO i won't wear a necklace

Sandy

[Euan Innes]

Sandy,

That's the car washed and waxed and better off she is too.
(It's now snowing again, mea culpa  )

How about a fishing shirt? I have one that holds two C&F fly boxes easily and I have started carrying Gink / tippet / mud etc in a little neoprene pouch that I got for a minidisc player years ago.
This is the front.


And the rear,




So what I have now is a pouch that can clip on to wader braces, belts, slips inside wading jackets and so on. I might be a bit small for what you need for your odd and ends but if you look for Lowepro pouches for small cameras you might find something that fits the bill. I do like going light and this seems to be the best thing I have come up with yet.
Boxes in the shirt, bits and bobs in the pouch.

[Sandy Nelson]

That's the car washed and waxed and better off she is too.
(It's now snowing again, mea culpa  )

Aye but i bet you feel better too Maybe if we all do it we can alter the weather

Shiny




Back on subject, your idea is very similar to the wee pack i use for the Ythan

I'm not that ready to hit the Don feeling that naked Maybe one day
Swingin back to my Waistcoat, It works and i've got some, could spend the money on some more Wax..... I ran out yesterday

Sandy

[Jim Eddie]

FFS guys, man bags, fanny packs, Bra's, necklaces. You need to man up 

 

Jim 

[Euan Innes]

Really shiny!

FFS guys, man bags, fanny packs, Bra's, necklaces. You need to man up   

Yes we do Jim. I used to agonise over this kind of thing alone and now tackle tarts anonymous has started I don't feel so bad. 

I never like waistcoats and didn't get on with most of the bags on the market so I had to come up with my own solution. Being a real minimalist that was my solution.
I do like fishing shirts though 

 

[Marc Fauvet]

Sandy, this is the best i've found so far. simply outstanding kit  http://www.williamjoseph.net/gear.php?userChoice=Amp
if you want better pics that show all the stuff i manage to put in it just say so

cheers,
marc

[Iain Goolager]

Going back to my Simms Vertical Master Vest.

Chest packs are for models in fishing tackle catalogues, they are merde for practical fishing purposes and should be thrown in the furnace! 

Will I ever learn?

Iain

[Euan Innes]

Damn you Marc

I didn't want to get into chest packs but I LIKE that. Can you post more pictures of what you can get in it please?

 

[Marc Fauvet]

Will I ever learn?

doubt it... 

SoundDude, i'll shoot some in the morning light and have them up tomorrow for ya.

cheers,
marc

[Euan Innes]

Thanks Marc.

 

[Iain Goolager]

Hook line and sinker Euan, Marc has been trying to offload that pack for 2 years now. 

Only joking

You are too old for one of those Soundmaster! They are for the likes of Young Gun.

Iain