I have a William Joseph Mini II chest pack. I picked it up at Sierra Trading Post for about $40. It is a fairly compact chest pack so it forces you to travel very light. It has a lot of nice storage features, easily accessible retractors, and a unique tippet dispensing pouch. The only thing I dislike about the pack is the neck strap. It rubs your neck even though its padded, not to mention having all of your gear suspended from you neck gets a little fatiguing after full day of fishing. I give it a thumbs up for value, quality, and functionality, but a thumbs down on comfort.

If I were in the market for a new pack I would still look at the William Joseph line or the more pricey Fishpond models preferably one that straps over the shoulders. If you can, definitely take the time to try the packs on before making a purchase.




-- Edited by SCM at 22:34, 2007-11-27

Sounds like the neck strap models all put a fair amount of pressure on the neck. That's no bueno.

The Fishpond ones look great but put a pretty good dent in the old pocketbook. Has anyone checked out the new "Deluxe" Tulli Horizon Chest Pack? This site gave it a great review:

http://www.tackletour.com/reviewsportgeartullideluxe.html

Last year I got the Double Haul from Fish Pond.  To be honest I didnt like it that much and reverted back to using a vest.  When I was high sticking I felt like the straps were digging into my shoulder.  Although it did have a few benefits.

http://www.fishpondusa.com/doubleHaul.cfm

I am one of those packrats with a vest full of junk. Three fly boxes, tippet, leaders, weights, camera, pliers, first aid kit, snake bite kit, a giant net for the big fish, and a beer to celebrate the first fish caught. I think my vest only weighs 40 pounds.

I have three fly boxes, snake bite kit, tippet, leaders, floatant, pliers, head lamp, pepper spray, scissors, weight, camera, and a good-sized net.  And it all fits in my chest pack.  It's bulging, though.  Even if I did drink, I wouldn't have room for a beer. 

Emerger,

Of the packs you posted links to, I think the Tulli Deluxe is worth a look (my opinion of course). I wonder if there is a product that is not marketed for fly fishing, but may serve the same function only more comfortably. I am thinking along the lines of the chest packs you see firefighters wearing, usually to carry radios/first aid gear for wildland fire fighting or search/rescue. Here is an example: http://www.coaxsher.com/radio_chest_pack_scout.html


I thought I packed a lot of stuff in my chest pack, but after reading what you guys haul around I am definitely a light weight. My pack is stuffed with: 1 C&F box of flies, 1 pkg. of shot, 3-pack of leaders, a couple yarn indicators, two spools of tippet, a nipper, a hemostat, floatant, a bag of chaw, and the one emergency aid I am suprised more of you don't carry....good ole wad of T.P.

-- Edited by SCM at 19:31, 2007-11-28

I'm a Waterdance Fishpond Guide pack person myself. I don't like things hanging over my neck or shoulders while I fish. This waist pack(as Cole pointed out) can be worn around the waist or slung over your shoulder.

The pack has plenty of space and is also comfortable to wear.

When you begin looking for a chest or waist pack, you sure have plenty of options to choose from.

The chest pack that I use has been discontinued, but I just found a picture of it.  It's pretty nice.  Because of the mesh harness, I can wear it with a framepack when hiking in the mountains.  That has definitely come in handy.  Anyway, here's a picture of the chest pack.  I figured I'd better post a picture of the fish I was fighting while I was at it.  I was fishing for steelhead on the Feather this summer and caught this instead. 

Nice fish JT!

I beleive that would be a very dark chinook salmon Ed. Very cool JT.

ROTF!!  LMAO!!

...very good Cole! but will the chest pack make the chics dig me?

...thanks Cappy!

Ed

I have a fishpond and realize now I like it as a sling over my shoulder and chest. Come with a variety of straps to customize it and thats exactly what I did.