I have never used a sewing machine, so I am super impressed by others ability to design and make their own gear. I have never found the perfect sling/pack and have bought too many over the years in the attempt to find something I am satisfied with. I like the idea of building something that personally suits my needs. Like anything, must be a lot of practice and trial-error to build something both functional and look like it was not made during an elementary school sewing project.
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@Brian_Miller and @Jason_Seaward, sewing is a really simple skill to pick up, even if you’ve never done it before. I taught myself after just watching a few YouTube videos. My first sewing machine was a $50 from Walmart, and I used it to make a sleeping bag, bivy sacks, tarps, etc. Being able to sew is like having a superpower. It’s a great feeling to have something in mind and be able to create it from nothing.
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Here’s a packable tenkara pack I made last year. Weighs less than 3 oz (85 g) and packs up to fit in the palm of your hand. I made it for travel and for backpacking trips.
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Making stuff sacks, in custom made sizes, has provided me with useful accessories. I really started making them with the goal of developing the skill to sew a Net-tent DIY kit I ordered from Gen Shimazu at Yama-Mountain Gear a several years ago. When the plan was to persuade my wife to give me a hand sewing it. But she would not commit to doing so. Maybe we’ve been married long enough she knew it would be a bad idea. Plus working on it hasn’t gotten a high priority because just after buying the kit I switched more to hammock camping, and found it more comfortable than sleeping on the ground.
Anyway, after taking the warm months off I need to do a few small warm-up projects before taking on the somewhat intimidating long seams, and curved seams, required to sew it together. [until today I wasn’t even aware Gen had moved his shop from Va. to Montana. Gen Shimazu is an interesting guy, I met him at Trail Days in Damascus, Va. a few years ago. ]
https://yamamountaingear.com/collections/diy-kits/products/net-tent-kit
However, at the same time I also ordered a couple of Gen’s Dyneema Stuff Sack kits, that I did put together. No sewing, just deciding what sizes I wanted to make, be able to cut straight lines, and glue the seams together.
https://yamamountaingear.com/collections/diy-kits/products/dyneema-stuff-sack-kit
Another source of fabric, buckles, cord locks, etc, that I have ordered from, and not seen mentioned here thus far, is Bear Paw Wilderness Designs, in Colo.
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+1, similar situation here. I once worked with a local custom tent maker/repair guy to have him modify a 1st generation Lowe Expedition pack with a few features that later showed up on newer versions. Wish I knew where he was.
I like to have everything I need to hook, land, photograph, and release fish without slinging the pack around to the front so I can get right on to the next fish.
I am a right hand caster, net left hand.
Here is what I’d like to see for a sling pack that would work for both Tenkara & western fly fishing.
This 2015-2017 15 liter Patagonia Atom Sling is near perfect
(*not available on (past and/or) current “production” Patagonia packs)
*15 liters - yes, I need that much volume for a 2nd set of Korkers soles, rain jacket and emergency gear.
*Net must hang down on left side (requires sling strap over left shoulder?)
Cell phone pocket on shoulder strap
Hemostat pocket on shoulder strap
*(Hypalon) zinger attachment loops on shoulder strap above hemo pocket
For access when pack is slung around to front
Water bottle pocket on bottom
Gear attachment sleeve on bottom for multi-tool
Tippet spool keeper
External tippet Holder
Rod holder straps or pouch, rods would not foul net (opposite side of net)
Separate pocket for fly (box) storage
I agree Brian on most things about the Patagonia Atom sling; however, I don’t like that it’s over the right hand shoulder. As a right hand caster, I prefer the weight over the left shoulder and freedom of movement over the right.
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That looks like an awesome little sling pack. I’d probably want a bit more padding on the should straps and maybe thicker webbing for the connecting straps even though it would add some weight. How do you figure out the pattern or do you make a pattern prior to building the bag? Do you start with any patterns? I may be asking dumb questions since I haven’t tried to make anything yet. Also what fabric did you use on that sling?
Did not see Tristan’s sling post earlier.
That’s amazing! A complete sling that packs down that small. Fine work!
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I believe the strap over the left shoulder would make the net hang to the left behind the back, and hang without interfering with the pockets when the pack is slung to the front. 
The current left shoulder sling pack I own (which I am not completely satisfied with), allows the net to hang down slightly to the left away from the pockets of the sling. When I am ready to net a fish, I reach my left hand around and I typically find the net to the left side of my spine. The reconnecting of the net after is a pain though.
I like left shoulder slings and wished more companies made them. The recent movement towards ambidextrous packs have been a positive step.
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I spoke with Scott at Vedavoo and he did not believe his Beast Sling would have the volume I need for a long day on the water with emergency gear. Nor did he give any indication he would be willing to build me a custom pack. I wonder if Zimmerbuilt would, and what the cost would be?
Have you seen any ambidextrous packs with rod holder straps and a dedicated water bottle pocket?
The requirements you have seem like a good set. I haven’t seen anything other than that Patagonia that really checks all those boxes. I do have a little belt water bottle holder that I put my water into. I like to distribute the weight and not put too much on my shoulder. Have you thought about moving the water bottle? The guide sling from Zimmerbuilt still wouldn’t fit the bill with organizing tippet and tools well. You’d have to get a totally custom one I suppose.
Umpqua also came out with a sling bag, but no front storage at all. I haven’t looked at these bags much but they all look like they are right shoulder carry. That seems odd since I don’t want the weight on my casting arm whether doing Tenkara or western fly fishing. I’m going to work on my own sling bag and will probably do something of a hybrid taking things I like about the Yonah, Zimmerbuilt and Patagonia. I have no idea yet how hard it’s going to be.
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@cc121 That looks like an awesome little sling pack. I’d probably want a bit more padding on the should straps and maybe thicker webbing for the connecting straps even though it would add some weight. How do you figure out the pattern or do you make a pattern prior to building the bag? Do you start with any patterns? I may be asking dumb questions since I haven’t tried to make anything yet. Also what fabric did you use on that sling?
For clarity, it’s a backpack, not a sling pack. I really dislike having all of the weight on just one shoulder. I definitely prefer backpacks to slings. I don’t know how you guys do it!
Nope, I didn’t start with any pattern. The design of the bag is similar to a lot of other bags I’ve made, so I just kind of did it. After making several of them, I’ve just made notes on the dimensions of the pieces I need to cut. I’m hoping to offer something similar for sale later on in the year. The fabric is basically a super thin coated ripstop nylon.
Ah I didn’t catch that, I agree I don’t like the weight on one shoulder either. I guess it makes one more step to getting the load around front where you have to take off one shoulder strap. I think the way I deal with it is don’t take very much stuff which means I’m sometimes compromising on having some things with me. Looks like a great little bag for sure!
No, Vedavoo is not doing any custom work any longer.
Yes, Chris Zimmer will custom build anything you want and his work is brilliant. You won’t regret it. His work is top notch and turn around is very quick. Before he designed his tenkara gear he became well known in the ultralight backpacking community for making amazing custom kit. See the custom stuff on his site, amazing. It won’t hurt to at least email him.
Not only have I purchased one of his packs, but have also met and fished with him. Great guy.
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I’ve had Chris make me a bunch of stuff.
I just draft it out on paper, it comes back better than I designed.
I need volume for a lightweight jacket and some emergency gear, but I don’t tend to carry a lot of weight. Carrying a water filter bottle (or Life Straw and a cheap empty water bottle with the top cut off to scoop stream water into as a cup if I’m going to be very near or in the water all day) can save a pound or two. I’ve discovered that the 9 oz Korkers felt soles’ traction is comparable to the (awesome) 2 lb bar cleat soles, and the 11 oz plain King-On soles aren’t that heavy to carry while I’m in the water.
As I mentioned above, when I’m on-in the water, I want ergonomics in my setup; everything at my fingertips to get on to the next fish - bada bing bada boom, not because I’m trying to rack up numbers, but so I can keep my brain in “cruise mode”. Sling packs are designed so that when I do need to get into my pack, it is easily pulled to the front and ergonomically presents itself so that I don’t have to exit the stream and a portable stand-up workstation with everything I need to re-rig; even a 2nd rod, is now conveniently at my fingertips.
*edit - I sent Chris Zimmer an inquiry.
Coming along in my MYOG adventure. For my first project I bought a pattern that I’m going to modify. I didn’t think my large format printer would be so handy for this, but I can just iterate on it and print out the patterns to test. So far lots of fun, it reminds me of people making their own tamo’s. You can always go buy one that is awesome, however it’s fun to make your own.
Chris, I had not heard of “Bagbuff” before.
His, Stephen’s, website has some good resources.
https://bagbuff.com/video-library
I found his video on how to sew a curve interesting. If I stop fooling around with other interest and actually start trying to sew my bug tent it has a longish curved zipper door to be sewn in, and his technique might be helpful for that part.
There are also two long (about 7 ft.) gradual curved seams to be sewn. I have pondered how I might keep the two fabrics aligned. (after first figuring out where and how-to mark and cut the curves corectly) After playing around with sashiko a little last winter I got fairly good at making even hand stitches. And thought maybe the best way for me to avoid making a mess of it, would be to hand stitch the fabric together over a few inches spaced 30 inches or so apart, then sew the seam with the sewing machine. A little less chance of fabric clips getting knocked off and ending up with misaligned seams and having to undo it and do it over again. Or at least try that method on the first one. And if it goes well, have the confidence the other side will go together correctly without so much extra attention to setting it up. My hand stitches could maybe be left in or perhaps easily removed. Everyone, I think, always gets better at doing stuff after the first few tries.
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