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Perhaps the most overlooked part of a good carrying system is the wading belt . . .
Companion Troutbitten Article:
https://troutbitten.com/2024/01/16/video-wading-belt-carrying-system/
The Stuff:
BELT: https://amzn.to/2LfIFUO
NET HOLSTER: https://amzn.to/2GSDaGe
NET: https://amzn.to/2Xp1Xf6
WADING STAFF COLLAPSIBLE: https://amzn.to/2Q5GqSA
WADING STAFF TELESCOPING: https://amzn.to/3vFkEhx
GEAR KEEPER RETRACTOR: https://amzn.to/2PXdj3X
WATER BOTTLE: https://amzn.to/41ZhXDk
CAMERA CASE: https://amzn.to/3U3yjsO
DRY BAG LIGHT: https://amzn.to/4aWbfSR
DRY BAG HEAVY DUTY: https://amzn.to/4b1Uwxm
TRIPOD LIGHT: https://amzn.to/422QalN
TRIPOD STRONGER: https://amzn.to/4aXAYu8
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https://www.wildsmedia.com/
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Fish hard, friends.
Dom
31 Comments
Try Fishponds Switchback 2.0. Has a studier belt with pack. I am on 3 rd season. Have water bottle, wading staff and net buddy on left side . Pack slides around on right side.
This system changed the game for me.
PS – you can pick up a military / police belt from army surplus stores very cheaply. Thanks again Dom!
I freakin love fishin in the snow.
Dig the videos and podcast – keep up the good work fellas.
Have used this belt system for two years since reading about it on Troutbitten. Game changer!
Great system & great video. Might be one of the most practical & highest impact on my efficiency of any tip I've encountered.
Much better than a sling pack with everything hanging off of one shoulder. Ouch that's gotta hurt.
Love the belt system.
Love that belt! Just ordered one.
After seasons with lumbar packs I finally grew tired of awkward rummaging while my net hits me in the face. Switched to the latest Patagucci vest and am loving it, but I got spoiled by having weight on the hips and can't give that up. Tried a bunch of different wading belts and attachments but couldn't get comfortable, mostly due to the water hanging below the belt line. So I just use my Fishpond Elkhorn lumber pack along with the vest. It securely holds two full size Nalgenes in the summer (or one and a big coffee in the winter) in the perfect position, keeps my net right behind my back where I like it, and weighs almost nothing. I probably look a little silly but it definitely adds hours to my time on the water. A horizontal water bottle holder on a belt would be a game changer for me!
Simms? I thought you guys repped skwala…
I love my wading belt system a la, Troutbitten. I'm about to try a small Fishpond Thunderhead lumbar to see if i can minimise even further (ie. no vest). From a water perspective, I carry the lightest cycling bottle possible (only 550mL capacity) but have a UV steripen in my lumbar pouch. Works brilliantly.
"the vest isn't that heavy"
Bust out a scale and prove it!
Love the editing!
Put the weight on the hips, not the shoulders or one shoulder. It was a game changer for me. I use a vest, too, but try to keep it as light as possible. Sure do enjoy your videos and articles. Thanks.
Thats great. Now lets see the whole setup with your vest or what ever you use to carry all your fly boxes and stuff. I'd like the see the entire system working together.
I kinda do a similar thing but with the Switchback from Fishpond. It’s so modular and works amazingly in tandem with a bottle holder and another pouch for my extra crap that I carry lol. I’ve definitely gotta add your wading staff carry method because up until I saw your video, I had been struggling with finding a solid way to carry it without it being in my way
What do you do with your rod when you need 2 hands for something?
Great video, thanks for sharing your carrying system. I have been thinking about this lately and wanting to do something similar as I am currently using a sling pack. The sling pack is not bad, but I tend to pack it with a lot of "just in case" items as well as necessities and water and it can get to be a little much after a while. Your tip on the type of belt will definitely be helpful as well. I have really enjoyed your podcasts, videos and articles, thanks so much for sharing your experience and helping to shorten the learning curve for so many!
Wait a minute, Simms waders, where are your Skwala waders??
Very similar setup here, just with fishpond stuff. The switchback belt, waterproof chest pack (that new small waterproof lumbar pack looks great too), water bottle pouch, and a rod holder. The webbing loops for shoulder strap (included in the full switchback kit) also work great with a y-type tool belt suspender which is very nice for helping distribute weight and keep your belt from sagging without having to cinch it so tight. I also love the integrated net slot in the back of it and find it easy to adjust for layering.
My favorite belt setup since reading your article. Thanks again for sharing this information (again) in video format. As you said, everything is right there and easy to grab as necessary.
Belt loops are handy on waders with zippers.
Curious why you choose to carry 2 pounds of water instead of a water filter, something like a grayl.
Hi, watching this reminded me of the saying “ Re inventing the wheel”! The only reason is that I am an ex Brit paratrooper and learned in the early sixties to use the 58 Pattern Equipment to carry all my patrol gear and transferred that idea into my fishing gear in the seventies when fishing in New Zealand. It took a while, but I ended up with Sims back support belt with a collapsible wading stick in a sheath on my left and a folding net in a sheath on my right. I now use an old Sims wading jacket with all my other bits and pieces in the specific pockets and attachments. By picking those two items and the rod from my car I can start my treck through the bush to the river and not worry that I have forgotten anything. Everything I need for a days fishing is either in my hand, in my jacket or on my belt the same way as when I soldiered for 20 years! The bonus for me is that I live in a anglers paradise and at 86 I am still hunting steelheads every winter. Cheers mate. H
Works for me, Dom. Spent a chunk of money on chest-, lumbar-, fanny- and sling packs trying to find the right fit. The belt system got me back to wearing what worked best: a vest.
Cannot wade very deep with that camera carried there I am guessing?
Ever use the opros third arm attachment for your belt? Just picked one up and it seems like a real nice piece of gear. Planning on using it to bring another rod along that I won’t have to leave on the bank.
Great video. I have that belt, it's awesome. I just ordered the net holder and will start carrying my water on the belt.
Troutbitten EDC
Have you looked at the yeti sidekick? That bag with the fishpond belt is working really nice for me.
I bought the same Blackhawk belt a couple months ago for the same reason. Clearly I’m not alone in my thinking 😁👍
Substandard due to no Broken Heels six pack carrier on that Blackhawk mega belt. Just kidding, another excellent video with invaluable advice. Production values and content are seriously through the roof, does anyone do it better? Answer is no. Awesome team effort. Thanks guys for all you do and share, it has really made me a better fisherman. I bought the Blackhawk belt four years ago and it really could hold a six pack!