How low can you go?

0 Kudo

Author	Comment
jdub	How low can you go?		Lead	[-]
Posts: 2141 06/29/09 6:43 PM Administrator	Tags : None Or maybe, to be more accurate; how little can you carry? I sometimes give Don a hard time about all the gear he carries around on his lanyard while fishing the local ponds. Until a week or so ago I always carried a small flybox, hemostats, nippers, and a roll of tippet. For Father's Day my wife bought me some cool little Orvis stuff including a small scissor/hemostat/pliers thing which means I no longer have to carry the nippers and hemostats. I wasn't sure how I'd like them but they're working out great! So for the last week my sum total of gear (not including rod/reel) looks like this: I don't even need cargo shorts anymore. Just clip the scissor/hemostat to my belt loop and put the tippet and flybox in a shirt pocket. So how about you guys? How much do you typically carry while fishing your local water?
Interact My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Invite Blocking Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Reply Quote
jkurtz7		#1	[url]	[-]
Posts: 2666 06/29/09 7:02 PM Forum Owner / Administrator	For the most part I'm still wearing a vest, even here at home on the creek in the back yard. I tried the lanyard, but still feel the need to have a bunch of stuff along. I like the minimalist approach, but I always end up with a vest full of stuff. J. The Ultralight Fly Fishing Forum Ultralight Fly Fisherman, and small stream specialist. NE Ohio, Mahoning River Watershed.
Interact My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Invite Blocking Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Reply Quote
keebranch		#2	[url]	[-]
Posts: 2099 06/29/09 7:14 PM Administrator / Moderator	Sometime I carry an Altoids box full of flies and a lanyard. If I have a pair of shorts with a large enough pocket the water goes there. Ultralight fly fishing forum Creek guy and light liner
Interact My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Invite Blocking Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Reply Quote
mdwwhw		#3	[url]	[-]
Posts: 45 06/29/09 8:39 PM	Still have tons of stuff but I try to carry less with me these days, my "lanyard" with hemostats, nippers, a spool of tippet, one box of flies and if I'm feeling really radical, a spare reel with a line that's different than what I've on the rod. Since I don't have anything lighter than a 3 wt, I just keep a box of suitable flies and take it if a 3 wt is going. Some of this is in an effort to stay cool. I have a vest but its pretty much a late fall/winter item of clothing around here. "Everything's better when wet...." Steve Miller Band
Interact My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Invite Blocking Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Reply Quote
cross creek one		#4	[url]	[-]
Posts: 235 06/29/09 9:32 PM	I've got one of those C&F nippers with the fold out midge threader. When I've got the hatch dialed in (or using ants in mid-summer), I've been known to go out with just the nipper loaded with 3 or 4 tiny flies (on the threader) and a small tweezers, both attached to a Brodin net clip. With the tools clipped to my belt loop, a spool of tippet in my pocket, and rod in hand, I'm ready to go. If I'm after bluegill, I add a little squeeze type fly box to another belt loop with a keychain (for a few rubber spiders and mini-Bully's). Don't get me wrong, I've got a lot more choices of gear, and can "suit up" as needed, but I like to travel really light, especially when it's hot out, and I don't like much of anything in my pockets except my wallet and a pocketknife, and I can't stand anything hanging around my neck. -CC BTW, Al McClane, who probably had more tackle choices than all of us put together, liked to fish with just what he could fit in the pocket of his chest waders.
Interact My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Invite Blocking Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Reply Quote
armyflyfisher		#5	[url]	[-]
Posts: 395 06/29/09 10:12 PM	When I'm NOT in my "S.I.N.K" (right Joe?) - Sit INside Kayak.....I wear my baseball cap with about 5 flies stuck to the front and hemo's clipped to my shorts pocket. That's it. David
Interact My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Invite Blocking Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Reply Quote
nowindknots.fiberglassflyro...	Minimal	#6	[url]	[-]
Posts: 43 06/29/09 10:21 PM	jdub, I think you need to pare down the size of your fly box. You can cut 3-4 feet of tippet, coil it appropriately, and put it in the bottom of the largest compartment. Ditch the spool. If you have water close, and can get out often, sometimes leave the fly box at home and take just a single fly. Protecting that fly does wonders for your casting and planning. Best! Jim
Interact My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Invite Blocking Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Reply Quote
cross creek one		#7	[url]	[-]
Posts: 235 06/29/09 11:31 PM	This thread puts me in mind of an old Nick Lyons column in Fly Fisherman (May 1981), entitled "More or Less," in which he relates his misadventures attempting to pare down his streamside outfit to the bare minimum, like the dapper, tweed-clothed fisherman he had watched one day. Mr. Lyons proceeded to the river with a little pill bottle holding two March Browns--it rained caddis! Of course, we could take the other tack, ala Mssr. Charles Ritz, who was reportedly addicted to inventing new gadgetry. -CC
Interact My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Invite Blocking Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Reply Quote
jkurtz7		#8	[url]	[-]
Posts: 2666 06/29/09 11:37 PM Forum Owner / Administrator	Great, now I'm going to have to buy one of those Hemo/clipper deals. J. The Ultralight Fly Fishing Forum Ultralight Fly Fisherman, and small stream specialist. NE Ohio, Mahoning River Watershed.
Interact My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Invite Blocking Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Reply Quote
jdub		#9	[url]	[-]
Posts: 2141 06/30/09 12:14 AM Administrator	nowindknots wrote: jdub, I think you need to pare down the size of your fly box. You can cut 3-4 feet of tippet, coil it appropriately, and put it in the bottom of the largest compartment. Ditch the spool. If you have water close, and can get out often, sometimes leave the fly box at home and take just a single fly. Protecting that fly does wonders for your casting and planning. Ha! Not quite there yet. I still usually manage to lose a few flies--even on a short trip--and I usually need to try a couple different flies before I figure out what they'll take. So in other words, I'm not skilled enough to pull it off yet
Interact My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Invite Blocking Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Reply Quote
jdub		#10	[url]	[-]
Posts: 2141 06/30/09 12:16 AM Administrator	armyflyfisher wrote: I wear my baseball cap with about 5 flies stuck to the front and hemo's clipped to my shorts pocket. We may have a winner! (what do you use to cut your tippet?)
Interact My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Invite Blocking Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Reply Quote
armyflyfisher		#11	[url]	[-]
Posts: 395 06/30/09 1:04 PM	Teeth!
Interact My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Invite Blocking Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Reply Quote
mjcoussens.clarksclassicfl...		#12	[url]	[-]
Posts: 26 06/30/09 1:31 PM	If I'm walking to the park to terrorize bluegills for an hour or so I go out with my license, hemostat's IN my pocket (learned that the hard way after getting hassled by the 5-0), and 2 flies. I usually start with a soft hackle, and will bring a size 16 EHC stuck in my hat. As mentioned you really learn to protect your flies and watch your casting with a limited supply of flies and no spare tippet. I've also found these two patterns to be extremely versatile, able to fish a variety of water depths and they work fished in a wide variety of ways. Matt "Preparation is the burden of fools." - Benjamin franklin
Interact My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Invite Blocking Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Reply Quote
gzacckey		#13	[url]	[-]
Posts: 26 06/30/09 3:10 PM	I've been scaling down over the past few years but I can't see me getting as low as some of you. The most minimal I get is in the summer when wet wading. That's when I carry one fly box and a lanyard. Oh yea, I guess I have to count the magnifiers that I keep attached to my hat. For most of the year I use waders, small chest/waist pack that holds two medium fly boxes plus some small items, wading staff, fishing hat w/magnifier, lanyard with the usual items, and sometimes a net in addition to my rod. I can't imagine going much less unless I'm fishing right next to my truck. I used to carry a fully loaded vest but that just literally became a pain in the neck. If I'm going on long trek I just add a fanny/backpack/camelback. I may have to try those hemos with the cutters. I would think they would be cumbersome for clipping tag ends but I do like trying new gadgets. Plus they're probably easier to sharpen.
Interact My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Invite Blocking Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Reply Quote
mjcoussens.clarksclassicfl...		#14	[url]	[-]
Posts: 26 06/30/09 3:22 PM	In all fairness, if I'm heading out for a day of fishing I will take more gear and load up the vest with water and lunch, more flies, etc. However, if I'm just heading out to catch some bluegills for a couple of hours and I know the waters pretty well I will take a limited amount of gear with me. Matt "Preparation is the burden of fools." - Benjamin franklin
Interact My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Invite Blocking Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Reply Quote
Sasha		#15	[url]	[-]
Posts: 305 06/30/09 3:42 PM	mjcoussens wrote: In all fairness, if I'm heading out for a day of fishing I will take more gear and load up the vest with water and lunch, more flies, etc. However, if I'm just heading out to catch some bluegills for a couple of hours and I know the waters pretty well I will take a limited amount of gear with me. Matt This www.flyfishingaddicts.com
Interact My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Invite Blocking Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Reply Quote
jdub		#16	[url]	[-]
Posts: 2141 06/30/09 3:44 PM Administrator	mjcoussens wrote: In all fairness, if I'm heading out for a day of fishing I will take more gear and load up the vest with water and lunch, more flies, etc. I think a lot of us are like that--I know I am. If I'm going all day or driving very far I'll carry a vest and have a duffle full of junk in the car. It's just the local ponds where I go really light.
Interact My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Invite Blocking Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Reply Quote
Sasha		#17	[url]	[-]
Posts: 305 06/30/09 4:02 PM	This is my normal day fishing "outfit". You have to love all the pockets in the Super TAC-L-Pak vest www.flyfishingaddicts.com
Interact My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Invite Blocking Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Reply Quote
mjcoussens.clarksclassicfl...		#18	[url]	[-]
Posts: 26 06/30/09 4:04 PM	Where's the vest in that photo? "Preparation is the burden of fools." - Benjamin franklin
Interact My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Invite Blocking Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Reply Quote
armyflyfisher		#19	[url]	[-]
Posts: 395 06/30/09 6:03 PM	I guess I'm just a minimalist. Even if I'm in my kayak, I don't pack a lot of stuff....maybe a small box of flies (I usually end up only using 3 or 4 at the very most) and my hemostats and a nipper. I don't own a vest or a big "man purse" and have no desire to lug all that stuff around. At one time I used to carry extra tippet material, extra knotless leaders, an extra reel or spool, lots and lots of extra flies but I found that I NEVER used any of it, so I stopped. Just my .02. David
Interact My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Invite Blocking Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Reply Quote
jdub		#20	[url]	[-]
Posts: 2141 06/30/09 6:21 PM Administrator	David, I think it's a lot easier for us warmwater guys to pull off the minimalism than the cold-water folks. I know I don't have to wonder what hatches I'll run into or if I'll be fishing size 10 streamers & hoppers on 4X or size 22 dries on 7X, or both. I pretty much know what to expect before I go and lot of warm water anglers are probably the same. Even then I sometimes find myself fishing size 18 wets on 3X tippet when 5X would be more ideal, etc. Fortunately, bass and bream don't seem to care much most of the time :-)
Interact My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Invite Blocking Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Reply Quote

<< Previous Topic Next Topic >>

Add Reply

Yuku free message boards

How low can you go?

How low can you go?

Quick Reply