Some Xmas gift help

[Tys Flies]

I am looking at getting my dad a fly vest for christmas. I've looked at the fishin hole and I am planning a trip to the fishing center and wholesale sports this friday. I have also looked online: Orvis, Dan-Bailey, worldwaters.com, and Cabelas. I don't want to spend to much lets say under $100 probably more like under $80. Keep in mind this will be his first vest, as we are getting more serious about the sport, so he doesn't need anything extravagant. Any suggestions?

 

TIA,

TF

[dave robinson]

Ty:

It's not so much about manufacture, as it is about comfort and versatility.

I've used several different vests as well as a chest pack over the years.

For capacity, I have an old Orvis super tackle pack.

However, when loaded it tends to weigh one down by the neck,

and it's a bit long if you wade up to your crotch, so the bottom gets wet.

I also have a slightly shorter Sprinbank one, similar to the Orvis

but it suffers from the same neck killing problem.

Modern ones can be had with a knitted neck

and a shape the puts the load on your shoulders.

I used my chest pack for a number of years instead of a traditional vest,

and if I need to pack lots of stuff, I still prefer it.

Sometimes I use it with a hip pack to carry a water bottle.

Now I use a Reddington lightweight vest for most stream fishing,

It works very well when you only need to carry a few boxes.

You also need a hip belt for your lunch and spare reel etc. though.

I also have a separate bag I use for fishing in my canoe, with a waterproof bottom.

that has much more room for boxes, spare spools and so on.

I also use this bag to store my boxes etc when travelling to a stream.

So for my two cents worth, for a newbie, I'd recommend the following.

Short vest, with a mesh liner or superstructure (to stay cool),

and a knitted neck and designed to put the load on the shoulders.

I'd supplement that with a decent hip or fanny pack

with a couple of compartments and a means of attaching a water bottle,

as well as a small duffle bag to store all that plus extra boxes and reels.

Have fun xmas shopping.

[SilverHilton]

Tys Flys,

 

I, too, have run the gauntlet of fly vests during my fishing years. I use the Columbia Henry's Fork 'Shorty' for the big waters I used to fish. It has a neoprene neck that has never given me any problems - even loaded for a whole day's worth of steelheading. When it dies, I'm going to get another.

 

I think it is well within your price range: approx. $90 at Wholesale or Russell's in Calgary.

 

Robin

[Joe Hard]

I got a cheap vest out of Crappy Tire, Crystal River I think.I was given one for x-mas abbout ten years ago and it to "died".

I am happy with my new one I think it was arround $60.00. If you have not gone ahead and bought one yet have a look at good old C.T.

[Tys Flies]

Haha, thanks Joe. Too bad you werent a member a week and a half ago b/c then you would have ended all my searching. I did come across that one at Crap Tire and bought it for my dad. It seemed decent enough for the $60: plenty of pockets, mesh liner, fairly durable, foam fly patch. I guess great minds think a like Hopefully he likes it.

[Joe Hard]

I was not sure about the foam neck reinfourcement but after wearing it a few times I like it and it helps to hold up a shirt collar when a wind comes from no where and you have no hood.I just wish it had a zipper instead of the snap thing

[SilverHilton]

Take it to a tailor and have a zipper put in ... ~$7.

[Tys Flies]

Joe you read my mind exactly. I didn't like it not having a zipper either and the foam neck. But than again its for my Dad, its his preference over mine. He can always return it and look on his own if he wishes. SH thanks for the advice on the zipper, I'll run it by him when he opens it.

 

TF