Simms - Fishpond - Cloudveil - Patagonia
FLY FISHING VESTs
The fish hadn't moved, and neither had you. Three hours of casts and refusals: the fish was still feeding strong, and you were at the end of your rope. Every fly in your box had been tried and retried, resulting in a weary arm and the wish for the reserve boxes over the hill in the back of your truck. Yet the fish remained. If only you had the right stuff, that fish would have been safely stored away in the film on your camera! Except that your camera was back in the truck as well. Today was just not your day.
The vest epitomizes fly fishing apparel. Classically fitted to anglers throughout the history of the sport, the vest connects to the traditions of fly fishing in a highly recognizable manner. However, even though vests are traditional, they are anything but antiquated. Current designs ensure that you'll get out to the water in contemporary style with everything you need to house your modern gizmos and gear.
Design
How is the storage capacity of the vest laid out? Will it fit your favorite fly boxes? What about tippet spools? Fly floatant? Lunch!?
A great vest will have storage space for every item you might want to carry to the water. The layout of the pocketing itself should make sense - bigger pockets should be easily accessible with plenty of smaller spaces in and around the vest. A wide variety of pockets is an asset: molded pockets and bellowed stitching provides for many different types of tackle in different sizes.
Material Construction
Considering the materials that go into your vest is also important. If you're going to be fishing in summer heat, choosing a polyester mesh vest ensures ventilation and stretchable comfort. For a more secure fit, go with a full nylon Teflon vest to repel water and oils. Lightweight and durable, this material stands up to the worst that Mother Nature can dish out.
Functional Extras
Little extras like a rod holder and built-in retractors increase the functionality of your vest, personalizing its use and ensuring easy fishability. Look for features like a contoured, water-resistant knit collar to disperse the load over your shoulders, and adjustable waist drawstrings to fit varying layers of thickness.
Not only had you found just the right fly, but you were also able to hand out the winning fly to your buddy, his buddy, and the polite gentleman on the bank asking for advice. Preparation is never overrated, and neither is the reputation you gain from never being at a loss when the fish get selective.