I finally hung up my old fly fishing vest which I purchased almost 30 years ago.It served me well but it was time for a new one. Nothing special, just one that still had all the pockets in tact and one that isn’t so faded.

The zippers don’t work and and, well it was time to replace my old friend. Now I have a nice new fly fishing vest which is lighter and has a whole lot more pockets.

I bought another fly fishing vest before the one I have now but I have heart problems and can’t carry much weight at all. That vest was nice but just too heavy for this old fart, so I gave it to my son who has finally become interest in fishing.

My fly fishing vest is an essential part of my fly fishing equipment. With the different styles of fishing such as dry fly and wet fly, to carry gear for each style required can become quite a load. A good quality fly fishing vest is designed to keep everything organized and within easy reach, and in doing so make each outing an enjoyable and hopefully unforgettable experience. My current fly fishing vest has so many pockets I sometimes lose things for days.

For example a days outing on a backwoods river requires that you carry a certain amount of equipment. The fishing could vary from fishing fast glides and runs where you are fishing blind perhaps with a heavy nymph, or to slow deep pools using a sinking line and streamer fly. Also likely to encounter are back eddies and shallow pools where one could use a floating line and fish a dry fly. All of these situations require different lines and fishing flies. Getting caught out by finding the trout suddenly coming on to a dry fly and all you have is heavy water gear with you.

Depending on the time you have you may also want to carry food and drink. When I spend a day on the river I would usually take lunch, a small billy and gas cooker if the area to be fished was in a fire restricted area. Also wet weather gear and spare clothing in the way of light weight but warm polypropylene shirt, socks and leggings. All of this gear requires a serious, good quality fishing vest.

Not only is the fly fishing vest a great way to keep everything organized, but also verifies that you have everything you need. With a well set up fly vest you can leave all your gear inside ensuring that the next time you venture out everything is where it should be. Get used to keeping the same things in each pocket so you can unconsciously locate whatever it is you desire. The majority of vests these days have a host of pockets and compartments for whatever it is you need. Camera compartments, cell phone pockets, sunglasses, sunscreens, the list goes on.

Most people will have need for different fly vests. Myself I have two, one I use for fishing from a boat, canoe or where I know what to expect such as local lakes rivers an streams. This is a light weight vest for equipment such as small tools, fly boxes, leaders, a perhaps a spare spool. On the other extreme is a full day pack / vest that can accommodate  various reels, lines and equipment for a long day hike.

Obviously the fishing vest you choose will suit your style of fishing, be prepared to spend a little extra and opt for quality fly fishing vests such as a Simms fishing vest, Like the rest of your fly equipment good quality will give years of enjoyment and fond memories.

I carry a lot of important and useful items in my fly fishing vest yet it can’t be too heavy or my back won’t last the entire day, which can be 12 or 14 hours at a time.

So for me personally my fly fishing vests are a vital part of your fly fishing arsenal. With the different styles of fishing such as dry fly and wet fly, to carry gear for each style required can become quite a load. In order to keep everything organized and within reach a good quality fly fishing vest will make the fishing experience far more enjoyable.

As a case in point a days outing on a remote river requires that you carry a certain amount of gear. Your fishing may vary from fast runs where you are using a heavy nymph, or to deep pools using a sinking line and streamer fly. Also likely to encounter are back eddies and shallow pools where one could use a floating line and fish a dry fly. All of these situations require different lines and fishing flies. Being caught out by not carrying the right gear or equipment can be disappointing.

Dependent on the amount of time you have you may also want to something to sustain you. If I spend a day on the river I would usually take lunch, a small billy and gas cooker if the area to be fished was in a fire restricted area. Also wet weather gear and spare clothing in the way of light weight but warm polypropylene shirt, socks and leggings. All of this gear requires a serious, good quality fishing vest.

Not only is the fly fishing vest a great way to keep everything at hand, but also guarantees that you have everything you need. Keeping your vest in order and stocked will ensure you have all you need next time you go fishing. Get used to having the same things in each pocket so you can instinctively find whatever it is you need. All vests these days have plenty of pockets and compartments to keep whatever it is you need. Camera pockets, cell phone pockets, sunglasses, sunscreens, the list goes on.

All fishermen or women will have need for different fly vests. Personally have 2 vests, one I use for fishing from a boat, canoe or where i know what to expect such as local lakes rivers or streams. This is a lighter vest for basic gear such as fly boxes, leaders, a spare spool, and perhaps an extra reel. The other extreme is a full day pack / vest that can hold various reels, lines and implements for a long day hike.

Obviously the fishing vest you choose will suit your style of fishing, be prepared to spend a little extra and opt for quality fly fishing vests such as a Simms fishing vest. Like the rest of your fly equipment good quality will give years of enjoyment and fond memories.