Fishing with Rod Discussion Forum
Fishing in British Columbia => General Discussion => Topic started by: BCfisherman97 on December 20, 2010, 10:09:33 PM
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Anyone know about a vest called a "Vedder Steelheader Vest" or something like that? It has a big pocket at the bottom of the vest that goes around your body. It can hold a bunch of stuff. If so where can I buy one?
Thanks,
Nick
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I've seen them at army and navy. I have one by pioneer, basically the same thing and water proof. not sure if the Vedder one is or not. That big pocket is handy for lugging out fish.
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Thanks. Which Army & Navy have you seen them at? And do you know if they currently have them?
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nikka has them, 59 bucks I think
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I bought 2 from Fred's cost $79.00 each. Yes, big pocket at the bottom for fish. Good vest. There is another brand which is better,can't remember the name. Had a Veeder VEST, CARRIED 2 SPRINGS AND 1 COHO and the seams gave way, That's why had to buy 2 one for me and one for friend's damaged vest lugging the fish to the car.. but on the whole a great vest!!
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Do you guys know if Sea Run sells them because that would be closest?
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Hatch Matchrs in Maple Ridge has them as well and yes they have them in stock.
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The original Vedder Vest was made of heavy canvas and has huge back pocket that can easily hold a 25 lb. chinook. They don't make them anymore.
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I had 2 of those vests and both were garbage, zippers on both broke, very hard to zip up the inside pockets, the zippers never stayed shut, the velcro on the inside pocket flaps were on the outside making them useless, not worth the money, spend the extra money and get something better. I have a couple friends with the same vest and same problems.
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Anyone know where/if they stock Complete Angler vests?
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Thanks. Which Army & Navy have you seen them at? And do you know if they currently have them?
I've seen them at both the New West and Downtown location, never been to the Langley store. No idea if they're in stock, haven't stopped in at the local AN in months
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I had 2 of those vests and both were garbage, zippers on both broke, very hard to zip up the inside pockets, the zippers never stayed shut, the velcro on the inside pocket flaps were on the outside making them useless, not worth the money, spend the extra money and get something better. I have a couple friends with the same vest and same problems.
Mine doesn't have any zippers. The velco is the inside of the pockets. The front has eyelets and has two plier holders and an "O" ring.
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I just ordered this vest from LL Bean:
http://bit.ly/hUfx3y
Constructed of breathable ripstop cotton that will feel comfortable, even in warm temperatures. Eleven strategically placed pockets, all with zip or VelcroŽ-closures to keep contents secure. Tippet pockets, fly box pockets, back pocket and two interior zip pockets keep essentials organized. D-ring on back for easy attachment and access to net. Zip front with additional buckle. Two front D-rings keep tools in easy reach. Fleece patch included. Imported. Machine wash and dry.
$39 US. I should get it at the end of the week. I'll let you know what I think about it.
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I'm going to head to Sea Run to get a trophy XL one. They said that they have it for sale.
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--Comleat Angler Steelheader: Rick is still alive and well.. I think 85 yrs young.. still thinking about doing another run of vests which have often been copied.
--Problem is cost to produce them locally in Vancouver have of course gone up as well as getting a new material.
--I believe he gets asked at least once a week if he's going to make more.
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Vedder Vest on sale at Fred's for $69.95
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The vedder vest is garbage. My buddy had 3 before upgrading. All the zippers busted off within a week. I had a pioneer vest it was very durable until my cat peed on it >:( I think the pioneer was about $79
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I've got and old Complete Angler Thomson River vest and a pin tail model I gave to my kid, they don't make them anymore I think it was around $150 way back then. I picked up a Fern Hill in camo a coupe of years ago from Berry's. Its a copy of the Complete Angler but made of nicer heavier material. Fred's used to sell them, I think an old asian lady made them out in Maple Ridge but I heard she passed away. A guy I know has one of her's made out of denim. I think it was also around a $buck50. I'm a firm believer in you get what you pay for. The only ones I see lately are the Pioneer, the brown one looks good.
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--the Compleat Angler vest has been knocked off by several companies.. so they look similar some almost exact copy of the style but not the material and double stitching.
--Canvas vests unless dried out after each trip would rot and often only lasted one or two seasons as fishermen we just patched the thing.
--last batch of vests made by Compleat Angler were Cordura and last model used a buckle rather than a zipper or combo buckle and snaps.. I think mine is as at least 15 yrs old.. use it for fishing and also good for hunting birds as bird fits in pack and extra shells in the pockets. They were Black, Green and maybe a few in brown. 3Vets was one of the last to carry the original after Rick shut down his retail outlet on Frazer.
--I don't have the stealheader I have the compleat angler strap shoulder version which has same rap around back pocket, inside and outside pockets for pliers etc.
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The original Vedder Vest was made by Ernie McDuff, a local and still active Chilliwack angler and a man gifted in canvas craftmanship. Seems like all of us old time Vedder anglers had one at some time (I did) but they have fallen out of favour for the new lighter materials. My only complaint with the original was the shoulder straps were too narrow - sore shoulders after a long day fishing. But yeah, you could pack a big fish in that back pocket.
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I have one of Rick's original vests that I bought in the late 1960's, it is still in one piece after many hundreds of fish being packed in it. ;D Had to have it re sewn a few times but the canvas is still reasonably good for the age. Had many washings to get the fish slime out before i started using plastic fish bags. ;D
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I have one of Rick's originals that I use to this day. Still in excellent shape despite many washings and dunkings; the velcro needs replacing. That's about it. It's indestructable.
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--If I could talk Rick into a limited edition, would you want original classic or modern material, breathable gortex, stormtech or Cordura..buckles and Velcro.. fishouflage rather than green, black or brown.
--Or just to many alternatives now to bother.. Problem is the price of production in Vancouver now.. my guess is most retail stores wouldn't want the vest because they couldn't make usual mark up and keep it at a reasonable retail price.
--I was thinking maybe he would go for a limited edition as a fundraiser with profit to one or more of the river fishing organizations. Last one I had I put in an interior fly fishing charity auction and only got a bid of $25 as no one there knew what it was. I got a lot of complaints... its too long for wading, to heavy, not breathable and whats the big pouch for!
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I really like the "Fernhill" vest. It is tough and durable, with excellent workmanship. As mentioned previously, the lady who made them passed away a couple of years ago. Once I found out she passed away, I went to the local tackle shop and grabbed the last 2 off the shelf.
I must say that, as an "Old School" vest goes, I take out the pin tail style vest I got from Highwater Tackle about 5 years ago. It's made from canvas, and it was a small (I'n a Large / XLarge). I took it to a talented seamstress with some lightweight canvas; and she made it bigger and put two extra pockets in it. The thing is bulletproof, but gets very heavy when wet.
I have not tried out the "Vedder" vest, but if you go to Berry's, they have vests that are similar style, but better quality components and workmanship. They may have them in stock. They are not Pioneer or Trophy XL brand. I don't know what brand they are.
It seems that a lot of the commercial vests are fly fishing oriented. It's too bad as we are not all fly fishers (all of the time).
Merry Christmas, John
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My experiance with a Vest is not good at all,when stealheading especially,walking and casting for a the whole day with alot of weight on your shoulders over a long period of time,will have a bad impact on your body.
My lower back would be sour every time i fished.
Now that i switched to a pouch around my weist things are way better,more relaxing and enjoyable to fish.