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Even if you buy some fly fishing waders with a good bib or overall feature on the front, you'll probably also want to look around for a fly fishing vest as well.  There are a few added benefits to having this on top of your waders and a few accessories you'll want to look for as well.  But you may have noticed that there are literally dozens of options when shopping for a fly fishing vest, so how can you be sure you're making the right choice?

First, realize that a fly fishing vest is not just going to keep you dry but will also help to keep you warm.  Except for the hottest of summer days, it's typically very cold being on the water.  The current creates quite a breeze and remember that no matter how careful you are, you're going to get wet.  That breeze blowing on your wet skin can make your body temperature drop significantly!  A good fly fishing vest is going to help keep you insulated and therefore comfortable.  The best vest or jacket is one that has a zip-out lining so that you can adjust its warmth depending on the season.  Getting one that is very well insulated will help you during the colder months but no so much during other times of the year.  If you purchase one with a zip-out lining you're going to get the most use out of it all year.

You also want to be sure that your fly fishing vest is plenty roomy.  Usually you can help to insulate yourself by wearing some thick shirts or a thermal undershirt as well, but if your fly fishing vest is too tight over all this clothing it's going to be very binding and you're going to be very uncomfortable.  If anything you want to err on the side of too much room rather than not enough.  And a vest that's too tight will interfere with the movement of your cast, so keep that in mind as well!

Anglers carry a lot of equipment with them when fly fishing and usually this equipment will be stored in or will hook to your fly fishing vest.  Look for one with plenty of pockets as you may want to carry not just your gear but a flashlight, your keys, some lip balm, a water bottle, and even a power bar as well.  Having all these things close at hand so that you don't need to leave the water to retrieve them will make your day that much more enjoyable.  Your fly fishing vest should also have plenty of loops for D rings so you can hang your net, and extra reel, and things such as these. 

Take your time when shopping for a fly fishing vest and don't hesitate to try on a few and walk around the sporting goods store.  Try a few practice casts to make sure you have plenty of room and that it's comfortable for you.

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