life vest accessories

[Rex Robinson]

I have always wanted some extra storage on my life vest and found a niffy coin pouch that works great at holding a spool of line and some small fly boxes.  It has loops on the back for attaching to a belt so it fit perfect on my vest straps.Also I like having a knife readily available, so I found a neck knife works great when attached to the other strap with a cut section from a bicycle inner tube.  The knife is tethered to my vest with the paracord stored in the pocket when not in use. I fish out of a kayak as some of you do and know that having a place for everything we fish with, within easy reach is important.  Just wanted to share. I found the pouch at Walmart where the wallets are and the neck knife at a flea market.  It's not a high dollar knife, but it sharpen to a razors edge,  so if it should find its way to the bottom of the lake, I want be out much.    

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

Nice set up you have there.

I favor the more traditional, cotton fly fishermans vest. I think I can adapt a knife in the fashion you have shown here.

Im going float tubing after this, as my kayak is now in the hands of a new owner. Honestly, I'm a little leery of knives around float tubes, but there is little substitute for them. I'Il work something out.

Thanks for the inspiration.

[Ray Ditzenberger]

I really like the knife idea. I think it is a good thing to carry a knife when out in nature and I attached a survival knife to my tackle bag but quickly found it to be too heavy and bulky. Yours is perfect.

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

I was curious about your vest. What is the brand?
I see it is a cut-foam type - do you know the rated flotation?

Im in the market for a PFD/vest for tubing, is why I ask.
I want the pockets of a fishing vest.... but with the minimum of bulk, weight and encumbrance.

[Rex Robinson]

David, It is a jacket made by Stearns.  It is a lot cooler than a full front jacket and it gives you freedom of movement for paddling and leaves your shirt pockets accessible.  I'm 190lbs and it floats me well and all the straps are adjustable for fit and comfort.  You can find it at most sporting good stores.  I've had it for about 5 years and it has held up very well.  Not as expensive as vest made specifically for yaking but I'm not planning any white water paddling unless there is some GOOD fishing in there.   

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

Thanks for the info on the vest, Rex.

Ill keep it in mind as I go forward.