Among the many things I’ve disliked about my Fishpond sling pack is that my short handled net wouldn’t stay in the holder. I stumbled across a solution on YouTube and I think improved on it. My sewing skills leave a lot to be desired and if I do keep this pack I’ll reinforce it a bit. Might work with other packs. Took me ten minutes.
Yeah this was one last trip to try to love this thing. It helped but not enough. Ordered a new Wetfly vest today and the sling pack will be in the classifieds soon.
Yeah this was one last trip to try to love this thing. It helped but not enough. Ordered a new Wetfly vest today and the sling pack will be in the classifieds soon.
I’m in the same boat. I’ve tried so hard to make a sling pack work for me, including a week just spent in MT. At best it’s just “ok” and at worst it was a clu$terfuck when it would fall and slide and swing around when bending over. Or doing a dance trying to find the cross strap to re-hook and get back to fishing after re-rigging.
I think I have the same pack as you and did have a measure net in the holder. It never fell out but I also never got a chance to use it. Fishing was that good
So yeah I’m about to invest in a high quality vest for summer trout fishing. What brand / model are you looking at trying?
Those magnets work well…until they don’t.
Anyone seen my net yet in MA 9 or MA 10?
It’s been out there for close to five years now so there should have been some sightings.
SF
What I like about sling packs is the convenience of everything being accessible without taking the pack all the way off.
Carrying food and water and a lightweight Goretex jacket is easier & more comfortable than in the back pocket of a vest.
Also I like the pack acting as a work surface when slung to the front.
I suspect I wouldn't like my head bumping into a (wet) net in a sleeve behind my back.
A net holster on the waist (hoop up) interferes with any of the sling packs I've used.
Since I cast right reel left, I don't like the net hanging on my right side as it does with Patagonia and most other sling packs.
I solved both of those issues by using a MOLLE ambidextrous tactical sling pack that I wear over my left shoulder.
I can attach anything virtually anywhere.
The net hangs to the left on a net Gear Keeper net retractor (but have a magnet keeper and coiled safety leash attached to the pack as a backup).
I keep spare collapsed T-rods in the right side pocket secured under the two side compression straps.
I keep a water filter bottle in a MOLLE water bottle pouch secured to the left side pocket webbing.
When bushwhacking I secure the net in the left side pocket under the water bottle and secured with compression straps.
Both my sling packs stay put and move with me when the cross chest stabilizer strap is properly adjusted.
My vest is nice when paired with a small backpack if I want to use it but carry more than it can comfortably carry. The backpacks I have compliment the vest and don't interfere with its functionality at all.
I was previously using a Redington vest that was great, but I gave it to my dad and they don't make them anymore. I had purchased a $200 Patagonia vest, but it is so poorly designed that I'm sending it back.
Here's a few things to think about, that a lot of vests get (frustratingly) wrong.
If the back zip is low enough, you can open it and take stuff out without removing the vest.
A front zip is better than a clip, because it distributes the load across a larger area. If you have a water bottle in the back pocket, clips always pull too much.
Pocket zips should start in a position where your shit doesn't fall out when you open them. I've seen many high end vests with this brain-dead design flaw.
The net D-ring should be sewn into something solid and pull down along your trunk. I've seen rings sewn into mesh, pull sideways, etc.
Loops for hanging stuff should be away from pockets, so you can hang things without obstructing access. My new vest gets this part wrong, but I can't complain for the price.
I agree...maybe vests are not dank..tonight I learned that dank is cool...not what I was thinking.
The only thing I've struggled with is finding a good short vest...I still use my really old vests...and rain coats...because everything has become too long, with too many pockets.
I used to have a Patagonia Guide Water vest. It was awesome for short outings. With the exception of not comfortably carrying water, lunch, and a jacket in the back pocket, it had so many trick features. And it fit well.
Hidden velcro rod holder leash in a pocket, hypalon zinger attachments with tool sleeves just below them, a leash inside a pocket to clip keys to, sunglasses hanger, padded collar and shoulders, voluminous pockets that didn't bulge out to interfere with vision of what's at your feet, a mesh back with the back pocket over it... Problem for me was they were sized. When I bought it the fit was great. Then I lost 55 lbs (diet and fitness program through work) and it was waaay too big for me. I gave it to my son who is 4" taller than I and fills it out well. Then came the Minimalist craze and they discontinued it; coming out with the mesh vests that wouldn't hold their shape and fit like a limp dishrag. I bought a Fishpond adjustable vest with a similar pocket arrangement but doesn't fit as nicely. I still have the Fp and occasionally use it.
I’d like to give the broder net clip a try when they go to market. I too haven’t found a great solution with a longer handled fishpond net and a pack, sling, or waist pack.
Broder Fly Fishing, the makers of the patent pending Broder Net Clip. Unlike any other fly fishing net holder, the Broder Net Clip uses both mechanical and magnetic connection to keep your net securely attached yet out of the way until you need it.
I’d like to give the broder net clip a try when they go to market. I too haven’t found a great solution with a longer handled fishpond net and a pack, sling, or waist pack.
Broder Fly Fishing, the makers of the patent pending Broder Net Clip. Unlike any other fly fishing net holder, the Broder Net Clip uses both mechanical and magnetic connection to keep your net securely attached yet out of the way until you need it.
I tried a net holster, for my belt. They work well, but they have one major flaw; when you pop the net too soon and the fish goes for a run, it's a major hassle to coordinate, even if you use a cord and a magnet.
I like being able to just let go of my net and have it automatically return to a known position. Retractors are the only things that give you that.
I only use a net when I'm in a boat.
I have an old William Joseph sling pack that is perfect. It's starting to show some wear and I know I'll miss it when it's gone.
I’d like to give the broder net clip a try when they go to market. I too haven’t found a great solution with a longer handled fishpond net and a pack, sling, or waist pack.
Broder Fly Fishing, the makers of the patent pending Broder Net Clip. Unlike any other fly fishing net holder, the Broder Net Clip uses both mechanical and magnetic connection to keep your net securely attached yet out of the way until you need it.
I am more of a waste/fanny pack fan for trout fishing rivers and backpack fan for salmon in the salt. SRC in the salt get a box of flies and and 8lb spool of flouro tucked in coat pocket. That’s all I really need. No issues w/ vests except fishing 4 seasons, I don’t find them particularly practical except in the summer.
Nets get tucked in my belt or behind my backpack. Metal magnets and saltwater don’t mesh well together. I’ve lost a net or two over the years but so have folks using holsters and magnetic clips.
I’m not sure. Doesn’t look like you can buy them yet. I’d probably have a zinger or magnet with lanyard attached too. I currently use a fishpond wading belt with an integrated belt holster. It works well for the long handles nets but not so well with any kind of pack. I just leave my pack at the bank and stuff some boxes in my waders above the belt. Not great when you fish a run and need to go back for the bay to move on. I didn’t like the sling pack net holder. Slide the pack around front and the net is in your face. Would love a better solution. I’m an over planner so a vest is out of the question.
I think most of the competition guys, who take their whole house with them, use a combined chest/back pack. It's basically just a vest, with more capacity.
I found an inexpensive long-handle silicone net which fits quite nicely in the sleeve of my Fishpond dry sling. I, too really like the convenience of the sling.
The biggest drawback of this configuration is that the net sticks up above my head and does tend to get caught up in branches when I scramble through and under brush. I use a light parachute cord tether (which fits easily into the sleeve) so I can drop it and not lose it to the river.
Among the many things I’ve disliked about my Fishpond sling pack is that my short handled net wouldn’t stay in the holder. I stumbled across a solution on YouTube and I think improved on it. My sewing skills leave a lot to be desired and if I do keep this pack I’ll reinforce it a bit. Might work with other packs. Took me ten minutes.
www.wetflyfish.com
www.broderflyfishing.com
