(VIDEO) What’s In That Vest? Laying Out the Essentials and More

by Domenick Swentosky | Jun 14, 2023 | 8 comments

Troutbitten Photo by Josh Darling In The Vest (1)

The key to a good carrying system is efficiency. Carry lots of gear or be a minimalist. But however you carry your gear, make sure it works for you. Think it through. And then change something if the system is holding you back, if it’s getting in your way or taking you out of rhythm. A carrying system should be designed around the way you fish, and not the other way around. Think about that. Don’t change the way you fish to suit a poorly chosen pack.

My vest is the most important piece of gear that I own. Because it holds everything that I work with. And having things laid out with a purpose keeps me efficient and ready to adapt.

Last week on the Troutbitten Podcast, we talked about vests, packs and lanyards — different ways to carry your gear. That brought in another wave of questions regarding what I carry in my vest and how I lay it out. Here then, is a video showing all of it, along with a few key companion articles to complete the walk through.

READ: Troutbitten | Pack or Vest? Why I’m a Vest Guy
READ: Troutbitten | 100 Day Gear Review — The Simms G3 Guide Vest
PODCAST: Troutbitten | Pack, Vest or Something Else — Carrying Your Gear, S7, Ep8
READ: Troutbitten | Don’t Hate Split Shot — Have a System (with VIDEO)

Check out the video, then scroll below to see what I don’t carry in the vest — how I carry the heavy stuff.

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What Is Not In the Vest

I carry all the heavier items on my hips and not in the vest. So the extra weight is not on my shoulders. This time tested strategy saves energy and allows for longer days on the water. Here’s what’s on my wading belt:

Wading Staff
Water
Net
Camera

Wading belts that are commonly provided with waders are not up to this task. So, for decades I’ve been using the following DIY wading belt system:

READ: Troutbitten | Let’s Rethink the Wading Belt
READ: Troutbitten | What About the Wading Staff (with VIDEO)

Fish hard, friends.

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Enjoy the day.
Domenick Swentosky
T R O U T B I T T E N
domenick@troutbitten.com

Thank you all, for a wonderful 2022 season! Book now to join me in 2023.

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Domenick Swentosky

Central Pennsylvania

Hi. I’m a father of two young boys, a husband, author, fly fishing guide and a musician. I fish for wild brown trout in the cool limestone waters of Central Pennsylvania year round. This is my home, and I love it. Friends. Family. And the river.

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What do you think?

Be part of the Troutbitten community of ideas.
Be helpful. And be nice.

8 Comments

Ron Rodgers on June 15, 2023 at 10:23 am
No TP? haha
How about a first aid kit?
Reply
- Domenick Swentosky on June 15, 2023 at 5:03 pm
  Hi Ron.
  Correct, I’ve chosen not to carry a first aid kit. I accept the trade off and the risk.
  Reply
Keith Darlington on June 15, 2023 at 4:11 pm
Only thing noticed missing is some first aid stuff.
Reply
Keith Darlington on June 15, 2023 at 4:13 pm
Only thing that seems missing is some first aid items
Reply
Fritz on June 15, 2023 at 10:43 pm
Somewhere I read that one should wear the vest when placing new contents in the various pockets so the mind doesn’t have to reverse the location of its whereabouts.
Reply
- Bob Salerno on June 16, 2023 at 10:44 am
  Agree, was taught that over 40 years ago. Keeps my memory straight and vest organized.
  Reply
Chuck on June 16, 2023 at 11:58 am
I agree with your concept and thinking. One item to consider is not just limiting to getting all things in one pack but possibly having a multi pack system (example chest pack, hip pack).
Reply
- Domenick Swentosky on June 16, 2023 at 12:10 pm
  Right on. And that’s almost necessary with a lanyard system.
  Reply

(VIDEO) What’s In That Vest? Laying Out the Essentials and More

What Is Not In the Vest

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