Long before I started fishing tenkara, I had given up on wearing a vest. I guess one day I finally had enough of the heavy, bulky, and hot garment holding me back like a straightjacket. I didn’t use 90% of the stuff I carried in its multitude of pockets anyway so why carry it? I decided to pare down to just a couple of fly boxes, a few tippet spools, and ditch anything that I didn’t use on a regular basis and switched to a smaller chest pack. It was liberating and didn’t seem to have any impact on my ability to catch fish–only an impact on my comfort level. And while it’s been working well for me for several years, the other day, I decided it might be time to revisit the vest idea. I often like to reexamine ideas or techniques I’ve discarded in the past because I feel in order to evolve as an angler, it’s necessary to constantly reevaluate past experiences with fresh eyes and the benefit of new experiences. So, on my last fishing trip, I decided to don the vest again and see if it was something worth reconsidering or not.
The Idea
While it might seem crazy for someone who has pared down their tackle to a more minimalist system to consider going back to a vest, I thought I had sound rationale. If I now carried less gear, then my complaints about a heavy vest bogging me down would be eliminated. When you’ve got more pockets than a Michael Jackson jacket, it’s easy to fall into the temptation of filling them all up. But I was confident enough in my new gear selection that I was sure that wouldn’t happen to me. Plus, the pockets might make it easier to access things and the large back pocket would be the perfect place to carry lunch, rain gear, and water without the need for a backpack–an all-in-one solution, right?
So, I took everything I normally carry in my chest pack, put it in the front pockets of my Simms Master Vest, and crammed my Golite rain jacket, bagel, power bars, and a bottle of Aqua Fina in the back and headed up the trail.
The Experience
The first thing I noticed was that I am not used to having a vest hanging off my shoulders. It felt strange. Not uncomfortable–just strange. Funny because that used to be the norm for me but I think I’ve just become used to a chest pack. It was a weird sensation.
The second thing I noticed was that too many pockets can be a bad thing. I’m not sure how many pockets my vest has (I’d have to send it away to NASA to do the math), but it is way too many. And to make matters worse, some of the pockets have more pockets inside of them! I only had a few items in the front pockets but had a hard time remembering where I put what. It was a little frustrating until I finally got it (at the end of the day of course). Still, I couldn’t help wonder how much time I wasted just trying to find which pocket I put my tippet vs. line spool in, etc. I wore out a lor of zippers and Velcro that day.
The third thing I noticed was that my vest is pretty loose fitting. While weight wasn’t an issue, it still shifted and flopped around when I was climbing over rocks or bending over to land a fish. It felt unwieldy. Unfortunately, the vest I have isn’t very adjustable so I couldn’t really do anything to make it fit closer to my body to counteract this. While I’m sure there are better vests than mine out there that you can dial in to fit more comfortably, this one just doesn’t. At worst, it was mildly annoying, but annoying nonetheless.
Finally, the seeming advantage of the back pocket didn’t really pan out as I expected. It’s not a backpack and doesn’t hold contents as well. Since there’s really no structure and it’s essentially little more than a wide, open pouch, things settle in odd places creating a lumpy feeling against the back. Plus, I still had to take off the entire vest to access my gear in the back pocket–the same thing I’d have to do with a more comfortable carrying backpack. So I couldn’t really see any advantage there.
The Conclusion
To me everything is worth a try and I’m glad I did this experiment. If anything, it reaffirmed that my chest pack/backpack system is currently the best solution for me. I’m not putting down vests in any way. For many people, they’re probably the best solution and I can see some applications where I might even dust mine off again every once in a while. But I think I’ve pretty much confirmed that I’m a chest pack angler. For the style of fishing I do most often, it just makes the most sense organizationally and ergonomically. I must confess though, I’ve had my eye on the Tenkara Guide Sling from Zimmerbuilt for some time now and may give it a try. But for now, I’m back to my good old Fishpond San Juan chest pack.
How do you carry your tenkara gear?
Great post Jason! Just in time too, I was considering getting one, mainly because my chest pack is very heavy on my neck, I’m thinking about getting then one Chris Stewart sells on TenkaraBum.com, any thoughts there? I’m going for litterally as light as possible! Thanks
Every fly-fisherman under 50, and a good many over, has been trying to be smarter than Lee Wulff for years, but the vest is by far the most efficient and comfortable way to carry gear, whether you’re a minimalist or an every-fly-ever person. I don’t always wear mine, especially in the winter (although in the winter I’m wearing a coat that serves the same purpose.) Waist packs get submerged. Satchels dangle all over, especially when you bend down. Chest packs stick out in front, affecting visibility and getting in your way, and I already stick out enough in front. Slings are upside down when you swing them around.
But I do wish someone would make a vest with magnetic pocket closers like the William Joseph gear, so you could open or close them with one hand. Actually buttons would serve the same purpose, but no gear maker would dare to be that uncool.
Take a hard look at the Guide Sling Pack from Zimmerbuilt. It is the lightest pack out there. How do I know? I am one of the designers of it. The pockets are designed to give full access to the interior of the pack without having to take it off. It is camelbak compatable, carries up to 6 tenkara rods,
has a small interior pocket for keys, phone, etc.
This is a pack designed by professional tenkara guides for tenkara fishing. I can carry enough gear in my sling pack to support a group of 4 clients on the water for a full day of guiding.
Note: WE DO NOT RECEIVE ANY MONEY FROM THE SALES OF THIS PACK. We worked with Zimmer to design this pack to meet our needs because there is nothing on the market that worked for us
Here is a link to show just how much gear you can stuff in the Guide Sing Pack: http://tenkaraguides.com/tenkara-packs-by-zimmerbuilt/
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Fishpond Double Haul chest pack, with the long sling strap. The chest strap fits around your waist holding it out of the way. I only use the backpack on long days in the mountains, carries more comfortably than a vest. The chest pack is bigger than I now need but it doesn’t make sense to buy a new one.
Jason…..next time you have this urge, try the Filson vest. Two large pockets for fly boxes, big rear pocket for your lunch. Some small ones for tippets, fly goo, a spare quarter (in case you lose your keys and need a phone.) Lite weight and cool. All the zippers and snaps work like a dream and I don’t have to put up with Velcro. I hate that stuff!
Have had mine for about twenty years now and wouldn’t have anything else. it’s a vest for the minimalist.
It is lookin’ kinda ratty these days but I figure it for another 5 years before I’ll have to replace it.
Hi Dick, I actually used to sell those and think they’re nice. I also have one of the new RIBZ front packs I was going to try and will have a review soon.
Morgan, agree with you 100% on the satchels and waist packs. But comfort is very subjective so I don’t think you can really say that the vest is the most comfortable way to carry gear. Also, my chest pack is so small it doesn’t get in the way or affect visibility. But I have seen some monster chest packs that I think would.
I wonder what Lee Wulff would have thought of Tenkara.
Thanks John, I was looking at one of the attachments that go with it actually but the whole pack is a major consideration for me too.
Hi Jason:
Do you think you can get everything on the Guide Sling that you need at your fingertips – forceps, nippers, tippet, etc. – in lieu of the check pack or lanyard? I use a cool leather lanyard that has space for one big fly box (http://leatherandcanvas.com/html/lanyard.html) and when I include 2 Zimmerbuilt Hip Belt Pockets on a wading belt, and can take what I need. But I don’t think the Sling pack combined with a lanyard or chest pack can work together, as the sling interferes … Nevertheless, I covet the Guide Sling pack.
I agree that consolidating from a vest to something radically smaller is a fun and enlightening exercise. I also like that this niche is now more recognized, and being courted by manufacturers,.
JIm Lionberger
PS – saw a reference to you being a contributor in the latest Backpacking mag; you certainly get around!
Jim, Please see my reply below in a new thread…
Hi Jim,
Yes, I think I could probably fit everything. I have a very compact GoLite rain jacket and there should still be enough room for lunch & water. I should have “test packed” one when Chris had some for sale at the summit.
Jason, good point re subjectivity and good question about Wulff. I think he might have appreciated how efficiently you can land and release a fish with a tenkara rod, instead of letting it run itself half to death.
I am well over 50 and sometimes I fish with a vest and sometimes with a shoulder or waist pack. One thing I did notice is that in most of the Japanese Tenkara videos I’ve been watching, is that the Japanese anglers seem to be wearing a vest.
Hi Dave, I’ve noticed that too and have always wondered why.
I’m 75 years old and I wouldn’t be without my NRS Type III Floatation Aid… it’s a wonderful vest and gives me peace of mind whenever I’m out on the Spokane River (a fast river early in the season)
Experienced western fly angler, new to Tenkara. I often spend 5-8 hours fishing Northwest remote streams. I have a Fishpond 1500 cu. in. pack/chestpack combo that is just too big for most outings, and I prefer having my chest area clear to see where I’m wading. Some time ago I picked up the first generation 8(?) liter Patagonia Stealth Atom off of eBay (without the external straps) that worked nicely for day trips in warmer summer weather. But the shoulder seasons can have unpredictable weather. Patagonia dealers are beginning to clear out the second generation 15 liter Stealth Atom sling pack with the straps to carry a(n extra Tenkara) rod at almost 50% off so I bought one. Along with fishing tackle, lunch, snacks, and a Sawyer water filter bottle or LifeStraw, I can now carry a very light rain jacket, warm fleece Inca cap, Space Blanket, a minimalist first aid kit, and even my Korkers bar cleat soles that I can change into from the non-studded Kling-On soles if there is a long hike in. The straps securely hold a rod but I will likely sew a mesh pocket on the panel with the straps for added security. I drilled a small hole in the handle of my Shimano Tamo to thread some 1.1mm Dyneema cord through making a loop, that I can larks-head a magnet net keeper through that attaches to the shoulder strap D ring. Everything is out of the way when fishing but I can get to all my stuff without taking the pack off. I find it VERY convenient.
The 8(?) liter Atom Sling is now relegated to shorter trips in good weather close to the car, and it’s Perfect for 4-season Sea-Run Cutthroat fishing on saltwater beaches .