Thursday, June 18, 2020

{Tidal Potomac Fly Rodders} Re: Sling packs

I like sling packs because they can carry a lot of stuff out of the way, but get it in front of you when you need it. I use this model from Orvis - the old Safe Passage large pack. It has enough capacity for a water bottle plus a couple of medium boxes of flies, which is key. When I fished in Florida, it was the perfect size for a day of wading.

The Orvis pack was good, but I had to make some improvements. You can see I sewed a strip of velcro loops as a fly patch. If they flies are not barbless, it's the devil to get them off the thing, but it works. I also put a grommet in the bottom, so if I wade too deep and get water in the pack, it has a way to drain out (also if my water bottle happens to leak). I also put in a snap to hold a key chain inside the pack, since I don't like to carry my keys in my pants pockets when I'm wading.

I actually have another of this model that I bought on super discount, that I have disassembled. My plan is to rebuild it with a strap that can switch sides, since I actually do not find the right shoulder strap all that natural feeling (I cast right handed). As a bonus, if the strap is removable, I can use it as a boat bag, with velcro ties to the thwart of my canoe. I have had it for about five years at this point, still haven't gotten around to putting it back together.

I sent Orvis an email outlining all the improvements I felt could be made on the model. I haven't seen any of the newest bags, but I know they had already committed to a new design without any of my modifications by the time I sent the email.

I also have an old chest/hip pack but I found it a bit cumbersome for a relatively small quantity of gear (no water bottle!). I still use it for light trips, but it gets in the way if I have too much stuff in it.

Miles

On Wednesday, June 17, 2020 at 5:53:35 PM UTC-4, namfos wrote:
Why you like or dislike sling packs?
What brand/model do you like? 
What brand model do you wish you bought instead? 
Over left shoulder or right shoulder? Why?

Thanks, 
Mark

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