stop bringing sooo much stuff for a few hours of fishing on the same water and same species.
I often hike a mile or more to fish where I seldom encounter anyone for 4-6 hours. I carry water, food, and some emergency gear.
After ditching (but still keeping) a vest because I couldn't comfortably carry enough water, & snacks, emergency gear... for long days on remote streams I (recently re-)tried a Fishpond backpack-chest pack combo. It seems like the best of both worlds having flies, tippet, tools... up front where I could get to them along with protected rod storage, and space for lots of gear needed for long day treks. But I don't like something bulky in front partially obstructing the view of what's at my feet, and the particular chest pack I have doesn't positively secure tools and floatant so when I bend over stuff falls out of the holders, and occasionally catches my fly line. I still like the backpack's 1500cu volume and outside back and the two side mesh pockets for carrying a float tube, single layer coated waders, wading shoes, pfd, pump rod & reel... into backcountry lakes.
The straps are thinly padded though so my 18lb backcountry float tube loadout is the limit it will comfortably carry for me.
I'm just most comfortable in a vest.
A mesh-back vest and a backpack work great together on longer trips. I've never had the pack straps interfere with the vest pockets.
I've tried and basically settled on sling packs as the most convenient daytrip carry system "
for me".
The (original?) Patagonia 7 liter Atom Stealth was OK. There is a phone pocket and anchor points and loops on the strap to reasonably secure tools and floatant. I found it easy to flip the pack around even in the stream to get at the 2 gear pockets, the fold-down fly storage "workstation", water bottle pocket, and the additional tool attachment points. But its too small to carry a jacket, no way to secure a (spare) rod or jacket externally.
The 15 liter Atom Stealth was a big improvement with plenty of room for a lightweight jacket inside the pack, straps for carrying a (spare) rod, or a rolled up jacket. I secured a neoprene water bottle belt pouch to the straps for greater rod security and protection. It also has a larger phone pocket, and a forceps pouch with a security tab on the shoulder strap.
Inexplicably Patagonia discontinued the larger size, and the rod-jacket straps???
But both Patagonia, and from what I could tell, most sling packs suffer from an annoying flaw. They are made for carrying over the right shoulder and the net hangs down to the right in the back. I cast with my right hand, reel and net fish with my left hand. I can't easily reach the net with my left hand and don't want to switch hands with my rod to net a big fish.
I don't like the net sleeve behind the back approach because the net could stick up too far above my head and I
frequently have to stoop or crawl under low branches and don't want to have to take my net out to pass under them.
Also I can't use a belt net holster in the back or on my left side where I can grab it with my left hand because it interferes with wearing the pack and flipping the pack on my right shoulder to the front.
A friend told me about a 15 liter ambidextrous tactical sling pack he'd bought for fishing.
I found a similar model with a hard rear top pocket at an Amazon outlet for
half price(!).
They're designed to carry much heavier weight than fishing sling packs so do it's very comfortable as a fishing pack.
With the MOLLE webbing, velcro slots, and MOLLE pouches, pockets and accessories, it is infinitely customizable.
I carry it over my left shoulder which puts less weight on my casting arm, and attach the net on the left side.
(Yes, I do rope down into-climb up out of a ravine that has a lovely "Curtis Creek" I fish several times in Summer-Fall. )
From a hydration standpoint, I just take a Lifestraw when I’m out fishing streams. I figure since I’m literally standing in water, no need to bring my own.
The original award-winning straw filter. Removes 99.999999% of bacteria, parasites & microplastics. Filters up to 4,000L. No batteries, no chemicals.
lifestraw.com
I use a 32 oz Sawyer filter bottle. It's weighs 6 lbs less than a full 3 liter bladder when I'm in or near the water all day, and can carry enough potable water to hike to - from a stream or lake .
To those who prefer self-contained water filtration systems, this is the system for you. Simply scoop water and continue the adventure.
www.sawyer.com
Tips for the Lifestraw.
1. Be sure to use it regularly or the filter medium can shrink if it dries out necessitating soaking it for 5 minutes to get any flow.
2. Cut the top off of a disposable 16 oz water bottle to carry the straw in and
use as a cup. It sure beats having to get down on hands and knees to take a drink.
