What’s Inside my Tenkara Chest Pack?

After more than three decades of trying countless carry systems, I think I’ve found my Holy Grail. It’s everything I want: light, compact, ergonomic, and provides quick, easy access to everything I need exactly when and where I need it. All systems are prone to evolution if the right opportunities come along, but this one has been time tested and I trust it as much as a friend who would help me hide a dead body.

I hope you find something useful in this video and it will inspire you to always think about fine tuning your own system. It’s another outlet for creativity our great sport affords us–just like tying flies, making your own rods, your own lines, etc. Tenkara has played a major role in this. Without it, I’d probably still be lugging around a hot, sweaty vest overloaded with 20 lbs. of gear I’ll never use. If we happen to bump into each other on the stream, you’ll see me carrying this–unencumbered, confident, and happy.

NOTE:  The thermometer looks like it slides down a lot, but it is only doing that in the video because I’m not wearing the pack. It’s strapped to the hook on the strap so if there’s no weight, it will slide down. But when it’s around my neck, the thermo rises up and is flush with the bottom of the pack.

Gear Mentioned

In case you were wondering, I don’t get commission for any of this. This is the tackle I actually use!

Yonah Tenkara Simple Pack
Orvis Superstrong Tippet
XBC Nippers
Tenkara Path Wooden Line Spools
Hemostats: Cheapest pieces of junk you can get for $2 in the bin at the fly shop
Fishpond Swift River Thermometer
Fairy River Seido Fly Box
Tenkara Line Cards
Tenkara USA Fluorocarbon Level Line
Loon Aquel Fly Floatant

Share your minimalist pack ideas below!