My Wet Wading Gear and What I Carry in My Packs

I've received a lot of requests this year to do a video on what I carry in my fishing packs. I've also been repeatedly asked what I am wearing when I'm wet wading. This video answers tackles both of these topics.
Here are the products shown in the video that I'm using:
Overlook pack: www.tacticalflyfisher.com/ump...
Ledges waist pack: www.tacticalflyfisher.com/ump...
Dry dry fly towel: www.tacticalflyfisher.com/tac...
Frog's Fanny: www.tacticalflyfisher.com/fro...
Stomach Pump: www.tacticalflyfisher.com/tac...
Hook File: www.tacticalflyfisher.com/tac...
Umpqua hemostats: www.tacticalflyfisher.com/ump...
Skafar's Neon Wax: www.tacticalflyfisher.com/ska...
Mucilin: www.tacticalflyfisher.com/muc...
Payette Paste: www.tacticalflyfisher.com/loo...
Sempe Indicator Nylon: www.tacticalflyfisher.com/pie...
Various fly boxes:
www.tacticalflyfisher.com/ful...
www.tacticalflyfisher.com/ump...
www.tacticalflyfisher.com/ump...
www.tacticalflyfisher.com/ori...
www.tacticalflyfisher.com/tac...
www.tacticalflyfisher.com/c-f...
www.tacticalflyfisher.com/tff...

[@E-M-C]

Thanks for sharing. I also carry the Katadyn water filter bottle, and think it's a great backup in case you run out of water or, in my case, lose my water bottle while fishing. Some things that I carry also include a small first aid kit, a rain jacket, and a Garmin inReach communication device. Many places that I fish have little to no cell coverage, and it's nice to be able to patch up a wound or call for help if needed. The inReach device also allows for 2-way texting with anyone in the world, so I can be reached in case there's an emergency back in the real world.

[@tacticalflyfisher3817]

I also have an Inreach mini that I use on backcountry trips. It's definitely nice to have.

[@allanmackey2908]

Thanks for sharing your knowledge Devin. It really does help to see how to get set up for a successful day on the water.

[@tacticalflyfisher3817]

Glad it was helpful!

[@masonwilhelmy2613]

Great to see the level of thought and detail you put into your selection of gear and equipment.

[@tacticalflyfisher3817]

Thanks for watching.

[@irideaduck939]

I went to a water purifier last year, total game changer on warm/hot days!

[@hunterwilson1622]

Just received my order from your website. Just wanted to say thanks for the Quality products and videos. The videos are genuine and incredibly thorough. No such thing as click bait with you guys. Always appreciated. Never stop and I'll be back to order more stuff soon.

[@tacticalflyfisher3817]

We really appreciate the support Hunter. We try to be authentic and helpful with our content so I'm glad that comes through.

[@ReversePeople]

Great vid! Thanks so much for taking the time to share this. I was one of the many that requested this video and truly appreciate you responding so quickly. Again, thank you.

[@tacticalflyfisher3817]

Glad it was helpful.

[@nfri5108]

never get tired of watching your videos and using your advice. Bought the umpqua chest pack and T&T contact2 thanks to you

[@tacticalflyfisher3817]

Glad you enjoy the videos. Hopefully you're enjoying the pack and rod.

[@cwreevescol3]

Can’t believe Devin didn’t show the pack carrying the kitchen sink. The dude is a pack mule for sure but he is never unprepared!

[@joemarlow5209]

Bugs. I’m one of those sweet meat people. A few years ago I gave Sawyer Permethrin a try. Changed my world. Instructions are a little weird. I spray so damp but not dripping. Really does work better than any repellent I’ve used. Treated cloths are pricey and need to be redone in time anyway. Honestly, as long as skin is covered, almost zero bites. Tried other concentrates. Don’t last and much stronger diesel smell. They say safe for fish once dried. Haven’t tried it on Goldfish yet!

[@tlalexander3]

I am thinking about buying the same chest pack you are using. I currently have the ledges hip pack like you do and I love it except for a few different times. One is whenever I am changing flies. If I have my net in the bag I either have to put my net in the water (on a leash), between my legs or go back to shore. The second is that I am a little shorter at 5'7, so a chest pack would let me get in a little deeper than the hip pack does.

[@slc42477]

Great framing/composition on this video.

[@tacticalflyfisher3817]

Many thanks!

[@r_fullman6604]

Nice video Devin ! 👍🏻

[@tacticalflyfisher3817]

Thanks.

[@stevenkemp5387]

Thanks for the great video! Would love to see you go through what’s in your boat bag/box for your Stillwater fishing too.

[@tacticalflyfisher3817]

I'll add it to the list.

[@stevenkemp5387]

@@tacticalflyfisher3817 awesome!

[@glencamblin]

Excellent info. Most of us don't have the time on the water u and lance get so its like when I tell guys at home depot who are shopping "u can learn from my mistakes or make your own."

[@tacticalflyfisher3817]

Hopefully it helped. I've certainly sorted through a lot of gear over the years and continue to do so.

[@davidnix5211]

Awesome video!

[@tacticalflyfisher3817]

Thanks!

[@kec2528]

Umpqua makes great packs.

[@KScott-hd8vw]

I put my zingers up on the shoulder straps so they don't interfere with the zippers. The zinger port placement was my only problem with that pack. Great video as always!

[@tacticalflyfisher3817]

Since I shot the video. I've placed zingers inside the main chest pack pocket with the nippers and hemostats coming out the ZS2 port. I secured them with zip ties to the black straps near the ports.

[@scottnock5241]

Nice job Devin. I too have struggled with packs n injuries. I bought that pack this year and so far love it!! It does hurt my shoulders and neck after a few days but I have back issues. I’m fussy as well so I’m still moving things for efficiency!! Similarly packed as well.. I thought I carried too many flies!!! You and lance carry so many!!! I just lugged mine around for 5 days and used only 3 dry patterns.. I want to scale down just for weight but I’m not a minimalist!! So I’m struggling.. lol

[@tacticalflyfisher3817]

It's an endless battle for me with flies too. I usually reevaluate several boxes a year and edit their contents. I definitely like having options.

[@alexargyros7186]

This is a very useful video on a topic that doesn't get much attention. Thanks for taking the time to produce it. I've seen videos and photos of you using a lanyard. I assume that you do so when you don't need to carry a lot of stuff with you. Could you tell me what you would choose to carry your flies and essential paraphernalia if you weren't competing, but simply going out for a day of recreational fishing?

[@tacticalflyfisher3817]

This is how I fish all the time unless I’m backpacking. I used the lanyard with my old sling pack so I could still have tools in front but now that I have a chest pack again I keep the lanyard for the backcountry.

[@Thebreadedfurflinger]

Interesting video & great info,1 thing you forgot to me is really important is a folding wading staff,I never leave home without it & personal choice I carry a small roll of toilet paper cause you never know lol 😆 I also carry a fixed blade knife & Mt pocket Leatherman again personal choice,great info tight lines & bent rods 🤙

[@frankkawasaki3082]

Devin: Thanks for sharing what you carry. I have a couple of questions : With all of the fly boxes you carry, do you carry two or more rods? Have you considered "Skins" vs Leggings, they are a lot like wet suits for surfing, and they keep you warmer. You didn't mention if your bags are waterproof.

[@tacticalflyfisher3817]

I often carry two or more rods so I can change quickly between methods. I have a pair of NRS Hydroskins for cold water but most of the time I just end up wearing waders if I know the water is going to be overly cold. The Hydroskins were nice when I was in NZ though. My bags are not waterproof. I've fished with lots of waterproof bags in the past. However, they've all had drawbacks and they don't make any waterproof chest packs currently that I'm familiar with so I'm dealing without having water proof packs for now.

[@taylorlopez8657]

Thank you for sharing! I love your Instructional videos and your Tactical Fly Fishing book. Which drone do you use? Thank you from Washington State.

[@tacticalflyfisher3817]

It's a cheap little Mavic Mini. It doesn't have some of the features that the more expensive DJI drones have but it's under the weight of the FAA regulations and I don't cry if it crashes. (Maybe there's one sitting at the bottom of a reservoir.....)

[@patches152]

i'm picky about dialing in my setup too, so always glad to see how others do it. RE: tippet, do you buy yours based on strength, or diameter? seems the "x" rating has been getting pushed around a bit, not quite the standard it used to be known for. Personally I've been focusing on diameter first, strength second. switching to trouthunter 6x/6.5x/7x and a micro thin leader has really helped my nymphing game, i save the tapered leader for dedicated dry/dropper action. Cheers!

[@tacticalflyfisher3817]

Patrick, You do have to follow the diameter for sure. Some companies haven't followed the traditional "x" diameter chart. Others like to have tippet that is a half size larger than labeled on the spool.

[@brooktoriverflyfishing]

Hi Devin, thanks for the video. Well done, as always. I am currently in the market for a new vest/chest pack and the Over Look is on that I'm considering. I also carry a lot of gear since there is nothing worse than needing a specific thing and having it be in the truck. I noticed that you don't use a tippet bar and keep them instead in the front pocket of your chest pack. Any particular reason for this? Are you able to see your feet reasonably well when wading with this chest pack? Does Umpqua have any type of warranty on their stuff? I'm tired of replacing vests that are breaking every year. Thanks!

[@tacticalflyfisher3817]

Tippet dispensers get in the way or catch fly line for me. I can see my feet fine if I look down. I haven’t actually looked into Umpqua’s warranty because we haven’t had any customers tell us their pack has had an issue yet.

[@richardferrara86]

Thank you for posting this. I really like how you have your flies sorted by pattern / style. I think I’m going to do that with my own boxes.

[@tacticalflyfisher3817]

I've tried a lot of different organizational methods over the years but organizing them by category helps me find what I need a bit quicker.

[@richardferrara86]

@@tacticalflyfisher3817 that makes a ton of sense honestly. I look at the pages in my box and patterns can almost disappear in there.

[@jayfalzarano8046]

Hey Deven, Thanks for sharing with us - I, too, have an old high school sports injury… which just happens to be my left shoulder - so, I feel your pain! (Pun intended!!!) I thought I was the only maniac concerned about weight placement…. I’ve been using a Filson (saddle bag style) vest for decades… keeps the pressure off of my left shoulder so I can actually fish for a few hours - thanks for sharing bro…. I love you content!

[@tacticalflyfisher3817]

Glad you enjoyed the video. Hopefully something helped you and good luck with the shoulder. I've been dealing with it for about 20 years myself.

[@jayfalzarano8046]

@@tacticalflyfisher3817 Haha - me too - we must be close in age!

[@57Dalv]

Thanks very much for all the informative videos, I am learning alot from you. I am trying to minimize what I carry but can't find the lanyard box you use on any of your videos - sorry if I missed it. Can you share what box that is? I'm looking at the CF designs which look good but interested in what you are using and if you are happy with it. Tight lines.

[@tacticalflyfisher3817]

Dal, The lanyard I used in some of my older videos was made by Golden Trout Lanyards. I don't know if they are in business anymore but I attached one of the Orientsun boxes to the lanyard with velcro. The box I have on the outside of my chest pack is made by C and F design but they no longer sell to the United States unfortunately. We have some drying patches and small boxes in our shop that are good substitutes.

[@bluejacket645]

Hi Devin, do stinging nettles penetrate the leggings when you walk through them. I knew they do when I just wear quick-dry wading pants.

[@tacticalflyfisher3817]

They can do that. It just depends on the specific leggings. If you get a tight weave it can prevent most of it but it can still get through.

[@briandickey7041]

Great video (again), I've learned so much from your lessons and tips. Do you find that the mucilin has a negative effect on tippet, nylon, flyline or flourocarbon?

[@tacticalflyfisher3817]

I've never experienced one. I've been told by fly line reps that it will grab dirt and lead to a shorter life of the fly line but I'm willing to renew my fly line a bit more often if I get the presentation I want.

[@briandickey7041]

@@tacticalflyfisher3817 Thank you very much.

[@patches152]

not fishing related, but those BeFree bottles are prone to developing pinholes in them, so be careful. they're also known to have significantly reduced flows after some use, you can refresh them with a bleach bath overnight, followed by a warm water & vinegar bath. there are documented process to refresh a sawyer filter, same process *should* work for BeFree filters too.

[@tacticalflyfisher3817]

Thanks. So far so good with the filter but I'll keep my eye out.

[@VTBullitt]

Thanks devin, if you could only have the chest pack or the hip pack which would you go for? I can’t decide and feel like the net and wading are issues for hip but having everything behind you when fishing is really nice too. I don’t have a ton of stuff but want room for water etc.

[@jonwaite1601]

I'd like to know the answer to that too. Can't imagine you'd fish with both. ;-) So why would you choose one over the other (and when)?

[@tacticalflyfisher3817]

The Overlook chest pack would be my first choice simply because it is easier to get at your boxes and supplies with a quick zip on the front of the chestpack. You can put your water in the backpack or add one of the Umpqua water bottle holders we sell. The hip pack is nice for keeping the weight off your shoulders and your stuff out of the way but it's harder to rig a net with, it takes time to swivel it to get supplies, and your stuff will get wet if you wade deep enough.

[@jonwaite1601]

@@tacticalflyfisher3817 Thanks Devin. I ordered the Overlook chest pack first, but found it got in the way of the Mustang PFD I always wear nowadays (after taking a huge tumble in a fast-flowing river out here near Seattle). So I returned it and got the hip pack which I really like. I figure the 'swiveling' part relies on the fact the waist pack can be supported by the shoulder strap. So I just leave the waist belt a little loose and that seems to work okay. I'd like to get one of your good nets (the bigger one I think) ...and thinking I might be able to rig the magnetic retractor to a shoulder strap loop somehow. BTW - the 'hole' in the waist pack only really works for longer net handles, like some of the FishPond nets. So, I'd love any suggestions on net attachment for this setup (that don't involve wearing a fishing vest that is)!

[@tacticalflyfisher3817]

@@jonwaite1601 Here is a video I did a while back on how I set up my net. I'm sure you could make a few adjustments and do something similar for your hip pack. kzbin.info/www/bejne/nXOwYYGra9iXbNE

[@VTBullitt]

Have you ever used the smaller rock creek chest pack or thought of caring it in your store? I didn’t know when you need less stuff if it’s a good option

[@tacticalflyfisher3817]

I haven't used the Rock Creek myself but it's certainly a pack we could add to our store.

[@VTBullitt]

Hi Devin how do you attach your cf fly box to the top of your chest pack?

[@jimlamb90]

split shot? type? thanks for sharing, always very informative

[@tacticalflyfisher3817]

I don't carry split shot. All of my flies are tungsten beaded.

[@shellytales]

Thanks for the video. What's the thermometer you use? Love the smaller size.

[@tacticalflyfisher3817]

It is a Taylor thermometer. It corroded after a dunking. I’ve since switched to a ThermPro which reads more quickly.

[@gldead3741]

I have a question about the Fulling Mill Tactical Box you use . Is there a right way and a wrong way to place your flies in the box? I see your flies in the box with slotted foam on the bottom and the white open space towards the top . Is this the way they should be placed ?

[@tacticalflyfisher3817]

You should slide the back of the hooks into the slot in the foam. There’s only one way to place the flies in the box if you follow that process.

[@skorflyfishing]

Thanks. I got a few good tips from that. Whew! That's a lot of gear! I guess you need that for competitive fishing. Personally, I have cut way way down on fly boxes. I try to only carry a day's worth and then refill those boxes from storage boxes at the end of the day. That alone has cut volume in half. I also ranked all my gear from absolute necessity items that I constantly use, to gear that I thought I needed, but really rarely if ever use. That exercise really opened my eyes to how much I carry that I hadn't used in an entire season. Again, that stuff gets left in a storage container in the car and I can assess what to grab for the conditions on any given trip. On the rare occasion that I wish I had a certain fly or piece of equipment, I am forced to try something new which has actually made me a better fly fisherman. Lugging a lot of gear really cuts down on the enjoyment of wet wading.

[@tacticalflyfisher3817]

That's the great thing about fly fishing. There are a many ways to go about every aspect to find what suits you best.

[@esjovold6572]

What’s the wax used for? Do you have a video about it. Thanks

[@tacticalflyfisher3817]

We use it in most of our videos where I do any nymphing. Here's a specific one talking about the micro leader I use it on. kzbin.info/www/bejne/fYXGe5aGgt51oc0

[@VTBullitt]

Hi what boot did you have on and which do you recommend?

[@tacticalflyfisher3817]

I can't remember which boot I specifically had on but it was either a Simms guide or lightweight boot. As long as your boots are working for you, there's no need to change them for wet wading gear.

[@chriscrumbley9219]

Is that red box the fulling mill tactical max? Thx

[@tacticalflyfisher3817]

Yes

[@chriscrumbley9219]

@@tacticalflyfisher3817 thanks

[@theineptflyfisherman]

all this time i thought they were some kind of wet suit type leggings. so do you wear waders in the colder weather?

[@tacticalflyfisher3817]

Yes

[@ryan89870]

Do you use your hemostats to take nymphs out of your boxes?

[@tacticalflyfisher3817]

I can usually pull them out with my fingers without needing forceps.

[@ryan89870]

@@tacticalflyfisher3817 I recently switched from tacky boxes to a fulling mill tactical box and noticed that when removing a nymph, the nymphs to the right and left move around and don't stay upright in my box. not sure if this happens to you or not.

[@tacticalflyfisher3817]

@@ryan89870 I’ve had some smaller flies move after putting them in slots that were previously occupied by larger flies. But if the fly size hasn’t changed I can’t say I’ve experienced the issue you are describing.

[@kevinjozwiak5696]

Man I agree 100% about how most pants act like little sails under the water; you can really feel the drag! By the way, can I blame you when my wife wants to know where her yoga pants are?!

[@tacticalflyfisher3817]

Haha! That's between you and your wife Kevin....

[@helok9]

Have you weighed that to see what the total weight is?

[@tacticalflyfisher3817]

No

[@dalesheehan9404]

Do you keep the same set up for competitions and pleasure fishing?

[@tacticalflyfisher3817]

Yes, it's pretty much the same except I will have a set working box figured out for a comp.