I finally decided to replace my 15-year-old Orvis gear bag with something a little more modern and technical. At my local Bass Pro Shops, I found the White River gear bag–a feature packed bag that is perfect for tenkara as well as other types of fly fishing. After comparing it to several other bags, this was the best gear bag for the money and so far, it has exceeded my expectations.
PLEASE READ: Before you say a gear bag is “against tenkara” or isn’t “simple”, note that I do not carry this on the stream. I use it to organize my gear at home and leave it in my car in case people I’m introducing tenkara to need gear (or just want to try some different gear they don’t have).
What I was talking about on twitter is a system of carrying my camera gear and fishing gear while fishing. I want to start filming more while I fish and need a system of transporting it all around the stream. I currently have a Fishpond Waterdance Guide pack which is huge for tenkara (great for western), but it does hold my Canon DSLR. I am thinking about bringing my LowePro Sling (which also holds my tripod) and setting it up and leave it on the bank next to me. I might buy a San Juan pack or Arroyo pack to hold my fishing gear.
Sorry to kinda hijack your review. It is a great review and definitely going to make me look into one of these to hold all my fishing gear in.
Hi Steve, have you looked at Mountainsmith and Lowe Alpine? I think I’ve seen some sling packs that might work.
Wow! I was a little taken aback by your Please Read paragraph. Why would a small on stream bag be “against Tenkara” or “not simple”? And who would give a hoot anyway? Tenkara is a method providing one with a fun way to fish. If one also wants to carry a box car of gear who’s to criticize?
The beauty of Tenkara is that you CAN be extremely simple. Don’t have to be tho! Seems to me simplicity is in the eye of the beholder and only the individual fisherman’s business!
Personally, I carry my gear in a small digital camera bag on my belt.
Dick I couldn’t agree with you more but you’d be surprised how often some of my posts or ideas get criticized for being “too complicated”. Maybe the disclaimer was too much but I’m sick of addressing the same criticisms over and over so tried to preempt them.
Well for whatever its worth, I’ve been reading TenkaraTalk for sometime now and I have nothing to take you to task for. In fact, quite the opposite. I think you have taught me some things and have shown me things I would not have known about if you didn’t have this blog.
The rod demo project, for example, is innovative AND helpful.
Guess you have to take some lumps along the way when you have opinions.
Thanks Dick, that’s nice to hear!