How do you carry your gear when wader fishing?

Macchina

Macchina

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Trout season is coming up at the end of April in Michigan and I'm getting pretty excited to fish the small river behind my new cabin. Traditionally I fish trout streams on public land from the banks (standard tackle, not fly), but I will be able to walk this river with waders on for miles if I so choose. Michigan allows this as the water itself is public property, you're allowed to get out on private property to go around obstructions or deep spots. I plan on doing this and would like to carry my gear on me. I currently use a small camelbak, but I think that may not be the best option because I have to take it off to access my gear. How do you carry your gear? Vest? Shoulderbag? Fanny pack? Or do you just limit your gear to what fits in your wader pocket?

Thanks guys.
 
I wear a vest. Keep my gear in small tackle boxes and stuff the pockets with them.
 
I fly fish, so I usually just have a vest, but I have been thinking that a fanny pack might not be such a bad idea for food, water, or clothing. Mountainsmith makes some pretty nice looking ones. If you're going to be wading, a fly fishing vest would probably be pretty helpful too for the things you want immediately on hand. Also, if you're thinking about a fanny pack/vest combo, I would suggest looking at wading vests, which are a bit shorter than the normal length, and would better allow a fanny pack in the back.
 
Chest pack for the flies and fishing gear up front. Camelback with lunch, water and essentials on the back.
 
Vest here too. I tried a chest pack but it got in the way when I casted so I went back to my vest. As for a knife I carry a necker and a SAK Classic on a retriever line. Lures/flys are in boxes in "their" pockets. I have had them in specific places so long so I know what I am grabbing. There are two pouches on the back I put snacks or an extra reel in if I think I need it. The stuff that never changes are a flashlight, hemostats, clippers, SAK, wader repair kit, towel, and FAK (also in one of the back pouches, in a waterproof container). I am sure I am missing something but I can't think of anything right now. As for bank fishing I used to fish the New River a lot when I was in college and I just used a simple back pack. No hand needed and plenty of room for everything. Heck I used to take my tripod and camera and just set the timer to take snapshots of the day's catch. Should have seen the Conservation Officer's face when he saw that. "What's that for?" Heres your sign.
 
I use a large nylon creel to carry everything. The lures & small stuff go in small plastic containers, and everything else just goes in the main compartment or pockets. I also carry several gallon size freezer bags to put the fish in.
 
Vest for sure, with the tackle I'll use most often in one of those little Walmart plastic mini containers. That way I'm not fiddling through 17 different pockets looking for some weights etc.
 
I carry a satchel I got a few years back made by William joseph I think. It is awesome. It has a bladder for water. Carries otterbox (phone and license), first aid kit, small dish towel, 50 ft. paracord, small tackle box, beef jerkey, couple ziplocs for rubber stuff and fish (gallon size). Net hangs off of the back. I attached a carabiner to the front strap where I can attach my pole (near the reel) when I have to retie something. A whistle, knife and hook remover ride on the strap as well. Great set up and very light and convienent.

I also carry a wading staff. It is made out of wood, attaches to my wading belt and floats behind while I am fishing. This a very important thing to have with you. Chest waders in a fast stream can be very dangerous. Always carry a knife.
 
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