Is the fly fishing vest of the future just the aviation survival vest of the past? The link to this little gem was sent to us by Alert Underground Reader Arlan, and I have to admit it’s an interesting goodie (especially the “Fixed Wing” version, though I have no idea why).
Drink deeply of its many pockets Undergrounders, then vote in the poll below:
The Navy SV-2B Survival Vest - Ready for the River?
US Navy SV-2B survival vest. Made to work with the Navy ejection seat torso harness by having the pockets around the mid-section of the body and allowing access to the parachute fittings on the ejection harness. We have hese vests in unissued and used conditions- please choose size and condition below. We also offer Fixed Wing type (used with ejection seats) and Helo Type (used with non-ejection aircraft). The HELO type is modified with an extraction belt with buckle sewn around the top of the vest. The approximate sizing of the vest when measured around the chest is: [XL:47" L:44" M:41" S:37"]
My five-year-old Orvis pack vest has served with admirable grace, but I have a few nagging issues (many of which seem to have been resolved in their newer versions). Unfortunately, it also makes the Underground’s butt look big.
I’ve long admired the Filson chest packs – I’m at a point in my life where I want to buy one piece of gear and just use it ’til I’m dead – but this offers an intriguing (and perhaps more affordable – $50 or so) alternative.
What’s the Underground’s take? Too many protrusions to snag a fly line? Too weird? Or just right? (Imagine running into a pastel-pack wearing fly fisher on the river, who – when confronted by the clear military superiority of your survival pack – visibly wilts and shambles away. At the Underground, we’re all about non-verbal communication.)
The Undergrounder’s Verdict Is:
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{ 22 comments… read them below or add one }
That looks WAY too complicated for me. And too many things to hang up, get line caught on, etc. The Filson may cost more, but it’s also a lot simpler, more specifically designed, and I’m willing to bet every bit as durable. I have their strap vest and it’s great. Just enough capacity, not too much. Smithhammer(Quote)
I got lost right away. I am still a vest guy. I don’t care if it is old school as soon as I put it on I fell like I’m fishing. If I am looking for something I put it on and I find it, sometimes I do that in the dead of winter just to get that going fishing feeling.
(what are all whe straps for on the bottom?) castingoutloud(Quote)
So now your big ass is our fault, too? James Hathaway(Quote)
I’m a chest pack guy all the way and you can’t find much better than those made by Fish Pond… they just put out some great products. I love the way their chest packs open with a little shelf to work on… I can’t count the number of flies or split-shot I would have otherwise sacraficed to the river gods were it not for this nice little feature. Bjorn(Quote)
I love my Patagonia Double Haul. sweet simple and adaptable. ’nuff said. the roughfisher(Quote)
Looks like you could really cinch that sucker down and give yourself a beguiling hourglass figure. Why fight the fat ass when you can make it hot hot hot?
Seriously? Get the Filson. Simple, durable, and built for purpose beats cheap and sorta works. MHH(Quote)
Running 12 to 5 against aviation survival, and I’m somewhat upset only two people have offered to buy the vest for me (and one of those was me).
You’re a cheap, ungrateful bunch. Tom Chandler(Quote)
I mostly use a plastic grocery bag, especially when fishing the brown water. Works OK. SMJ(Quote)
A princess cut would have been a lot more flattering. Just saying is all. Tom Chandler(Quote)
Chandler,
Awesome, especially if my tastes ran to S&M and girdles. kbarton10(Quote)
Having worn one of those (albeit the helicopter variant) you can shove a ton of stuff in there and it comes with dummy cords so you don’t lose any of it. It has the added benefit of a handy chest strap & loop for the Coast Guard Search & Rescue guys to pull you out of extremis. The lower straps are so you don’t end up with it around your head when they haul your duff out of the drink. JohnnyK-Bar(Quote)
Yea and the problem is? Haven’t gotten any offers to try some of the rods you have gathering dust…or freebies you have reviewed and lost interest in. I had do spend hard earned money to get a Chris Raine 8′ 3/2 4wt…just so I could see if you are right about the rod…lot of money just to say Right on. samistopdog(Quote)
Around $50? I’ll bet the Navy paid $600 apiece. frogmorton(Quote)
Running 38 to 23 against. Not much love from the Undergrounders.
Which freebies you referring to? The ones I paid for, or the ones I’ve given away? Tom Chandler(Quote)
That would explain a lot of the rumors… Tom Chandler(Quote)
If it can carry a pint of B&B incognito to help warn the fingers on those cool mornings it’s good enough for me. Dave(Quote)
No, No …the ones you should give to us (your loyal follwers) kind of like Robin Hood sharing his bounty. samistopdog(Quote)
Too much stuff going on with that vest. Takes me a good 10 or 15 minutes to get setup on the riverbank from scratch now as it is with waders, vests, gortex and rod-setup. Chris(Quote)
Fish naked. You get going faster, and only one thing to snag line on. Tom Chandler(Quote)
I love it!! I have tried for years to find the perfect combination of wearability (is that a word?), convenient and accessible storage, and fashion. This has it all. Now, I can carry everything I need for a week’s worth of fishing without having to go home at night! Boy, won’t the wife be happy. Bye, see ya in the fall darling. Don’t wait up. John(Quote)
You’ve given me my next Internet Riches idea (after flyfishingfromhome.com of course): GetYourFlyFishingDivorce.com
I’m gonna be rich. Tom Chandler(Quote)
if your wearing chest waders it would cover up some pockets? austin(Quote)