Fishpond Wasatch

[BigBronco]

Today I bought the Wasatch pack/vest. I am moving everything from my old vest into the new one, and I noticed that something is missing. On the bottom right of the vest is the loop for the butt of my rod, but I don't know what holds it to my chest. All of my other vest have had a piece of velcro. I use this feature a lot. Am I missing something or does this $160 vest not have a feature that my 3 year old son's $5.00 special does?

 

[BigBronco]

I got this reply today from Fishpond:

Hello Wayne,



You are correct – we messed up and this was accidentally overlooked.



There is no easy way to fix this. May I send you a cap or thermometer as a peace offering?



In the interim, I have sent you a complimentary fishpond decal.



Regards,



Michael Smith

 

[JackM]

Take the thermometer.

 

[thedude1534]

Out of curiosity can you explain the loop that holds your rod to your chest thing? When and why is this used? I've noticed these two velcro guys that are a little below my collar bone on my vest, but I never knew what they were for, are these the same things your talking about?

 

[jayL]

dude,

In alot of vests, there is a loop on the right side at the bottom, and a strip of velcro at the collar bone on the right. When you need both hands to work with a fly, or a knot or something, you can slip the butt of the rod into the loop and velcro it fast to your chest. This way both hands are free.

 

[albatross]

BigBronco,

I have a Guide Series (Gander Mtn) chest pack and the velcro connection is a little awkward to use. I put a carabiner on one of the D-rings and use that instead. Its easy to pop the rod in the carabiner with one hand.

 

[BigBronco]

I didn't even think of a 'biner. I might have to play around with that. My first thought was to use one of those spiral gear retractors.

 

[Bamboozle]

If the Velcro piece was SUPPOSED to be there and is just missing from YOUR vest; I'd send it back to Fish Pond for a replacement.

If the entire product line is screwed up and you really like that feature and vest; I'm sure someone with a sewing machine and a little creativity could add one for you. I do it all the time with my stuff when it's not the way I want it.

While I'm sure there are other solutions; I'd be leery of anything that MAY scratch your rod finish....IF you care.

The reason Fish Pond says it isn't easy to fix is because they don't make anything in their facility; it is all made in Asia. I once asked if I could buy some extra pouches for their wading belt and they couldn't do it because the factory in Asia just makes the product as ordered; no special orders are possible.

I guess that's why I never bought the wading belt in the first place.