Require a bag/rucksack for 'mobile' river fishing

[GloucesterOldSpot]

I had one of those years ago - just like the one in the Ladybird Book of Coarse Fishing. One chilly winter's day I was perched atop the thing trying to catch a chub when I experienced a sudden sinking feeling. Only just avoided joining the chub in their world. Damned seat had collapsed! I'm not particularly heavy either - somewhere around 12 stone I guess.

[J.T]

I also have a abu garcia backpack with a little stool on it which it pretty handy for longer trips. :thumb:

EDIT: a bit like this one but bigger - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Abu-Garcia-Ru ... 5d31cfa8f0

[Dave]

Not sure if these are still available Julian but I've had one for a few years and they are bomb proof. Really well made...you'll never rip/tear/break it in a lifetime of use and abuse

Might be just a little too big for what you are looking for though?

http://www.nashtackle.co.uk/downloads/N ... June24.pdf

[RBTraditional]

For those long hikes get yourself a British army Bergan they come in two sizes 50ltr and 120ltr with detachable pockets. You should be able to pick one up for around £50 rather than pay twice as much from "Kevin Cash" or whoever for one based on the MOD design that will last you two seasons if you are lucky. I've had my bergan for 20 years and it's never let me down.

[GloucesterOldSpot]

For those long hikes get yourself a British army Bergan they come in two sizes 50ltr and 120ltr with detachable pockets. You should be able to pick one up for around £50 rather than pay twice as much from "Kevin Cash" or whoever for one based on the MOD design that will last you two seasons if you are lucky. I've had my bergan for 20 years and it's never let me down.

This is true enough, but I don't know of any ex-MOD rucksacks that would be small enough for a days wandering on a river, yet possess the right proportions for the kind of things we carry. Army surplus these days seems to be a web-based enterprise* so it's hard to assess size and suitability. I have an ex-paras rucksack I use for carp fishing which is as near indestructable as you can get, and very comfortable even when loaded with all the gear I take on long sessions. It's too big for roving trips though; I once weighed the thing and found I'd been carrying sixty pounds around with me. Ten pounds of that was leads! I now throw a handful of suitable types and sizes in one of the side pockets and leave the rest at home.

*An army friend tells me there is a large surplus shop in Camberley which I mean to investigate one day.

[Tony1964]

My father still uses his old WW2 gas mask case for stalking sessions. Don't know if you can still get them from surplus stores. Very tough items.

[Chevin]

British army bergans come in several types:

Infantry bergans are top entry only with zip on side pouches, All Arms bergans are squarer with a full zip to give easier access and can also accomadate the zip on side pouches, Para and SAS Bergans are similar to the Infantry bergan but with the addition of more pockets.

The zip on/off pouches can also be converted to day sacks with the addition of a yoke.

You can also get a patrol bergan that is much smaller than the main bergans. :thumb:

http://www.armynnavy.com/catalog/catalo ... ts_id/2777

http://www.britishmilitarysurplus.co.uk/shopscr87.html

http://www.surplusandoutdoors.com/shop/ ... 14831.html

Or if you want smaller, British Army Respirator pouch..

http://compare.ebay.co.uk/like/18078647 ... s&var=sbar

[Snape]

My father still uses his old WW2 gas mask case for stalking sessions. Don't know if you can still get them from surplus stores. Very tough items.

WW2 gas mask bag? Takes me back to boyhood fishing. I seem to recall it makes a good fishing bag.

[Julian]

Thanks gents - all really helpful.

I feel the same way as GOS regarding shoulder bags, but I can see the Wilson bucket organiser as being very useful for me, and have therefore purchased that.
I 've just looked at the Drennan specialist rucksacks and clearly they are a good buy but possibly bigger than I need so for now I'm purchasing the small stalking rucksack I had indicated, but I may purchase a Drennan one in the future.

I will think about the possibility of a light seat in the future but for now I'll take my bait bucket if I want a seat and the Wilson one if I choose to sit on the ground.

I'll also bear in mind getting a fly fishers waistcoat in the future.

Julian

By an odd coincidence when I ordered the 'stalking rucksack' the wrong item was sent.
Instead I was sent the 'ruck sack chair bag' which Snape had noted:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Lureflash-RSCB- ... d_sim_sg_1
This item is poor - the seat rather heavy and the ruck sack seems to be fairly poor quality, with hardly any pockets.

So I returned the incorrect item and duly receiced my ' staking rucksack' as originally ordered:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B003 ... 5YLQQKI9TY

and I can confirm that this is excellent. It is very well made but lightweight, strong zips , good padded straps, numerous pockets. In one large pocket there are four padded pouches ( which are detachable) - ideal for hook packets, shot dispensers and other small items. In the photo it looks to be a rather bright green, but it is not and is actually a very suitable dull green. It can easily hold a full sized flask and plenty more, and is fully adjustable. looking forward to using it.

Just to add. this was from a third party supplier through Amazon. I orderd it one afternoon , received it ( although it was the wrong item) the following morning.
When I contacted the suppplier regarding the wrong item being sent I received a UPS returns form and details the following day. Then when I contacted UPS at 1.30pm they said they would collect that aftenoon after 2.00pm. Package was picked up 4.30pm on the day,a Wednesday ( with my returns form inside) . At 10.00am on the Friday I received the correct replacement ( with the treurns form I had sent back inside it). Prompt service!

[Nobby]

My father still uses his old WW2 gas mask case for stalking sessions. Don't know if you can still get them from surplus stores. Very tough items.

WW2 gas mask bag? Takes me back to boyhood fishing. I seem to recall it makes a good fishing bag.

Me too, had one throughout my childhood....lovely bit of khaki canvas, though I'm sure there were many different bags.



Wish I knew what I'd done with it...nothing else is quite the same.....