Stripping It Down

I watched a show last week where there were two gents fishing. One was from the U.S. and the other from England.
As the story goes the American guy had this vest on. It was packed to the hilt, bulging pockets and a net hanging off of his back. Of coarse the hat, glasses and chest waders. I didn't notice a wading stick, but I'm sure he had one. And lets not forget the Boga Grip. The new "must have" gadget to weigh all fish by clamping it on thier jaws and hanging them for a spell.

The English fellow had a long sleeved fishing shirt on, rolled up to the elbows with his leader wallet and tippet in the wader front pocket. He was a good fisher, but it struck me that his fluid movements may have somthing to do with not being weighed down by 10 or 20 pounds of "essential" gear.

I since have thought about how silly the American "gadgeteer" looked in comparison to the stripped down English fellow.
I started to wonder How much do we really need to have on hand? Is the vest (Thank You Lee Wulff) really needed? Have we just been enticed into thinking it's all needed?
I think about my own vest. Hemostats, nippers, hook sharpeners, spare leaders, Tippet from 0X to 6X, clip on fly drying box, tape measure, floatant (2 kinds), knife, paper towels, fly boxes, about 6 differant sizes of split shot, lens cleaners for my sun glasses, etc.. I've felt it necessity lately to carry a water bottle with me, and a small snack too.
I have no Boga, or wading staff. I have a very fine net. I barely use it anymore as a result of not taking fish out of the water much any more.

How much do we need when fishing for an hour or two? Sometimes I do as the English fellow. Just a few flies and a spool of tippet. My hemostats have cutters, so I clamp them on to the shirt and go. I am thinking of doing this more often. In fact I want to rethink this whole gadget thing and attempt to strip back down to just what I need for an outing.
To be truthful I don't use waders much around home. If I get a little wet it dries, or I can change when I get home. There is no shame in getting wet and a little muddy. In fact to get the legs somewhat wet helps keep one cool on a hot day.
Just thought I would share this thought. Any other gadgeteers out there? What do you carry? Salmo

flybox, leaders,tippets,hemostats,shot,floats and a bottle of water. I use to load every pocket in my vest up, so I cut some of the pockets off, now I just carry the least amount neccessary.

Nude fishing?!?!?! Not me! A few of the finer female specimens I've seen fishing are more than welcome to give it a try. If there are any such women out there who need help fly fishing just give me a holler. Strictly professional of coarse. I'm married. LOL

I've stuck flies in too many exposed places to ever consider nude flyfishing. There are body parts just not made to be pierced!

waDerboy- You just got served! LMAO.
"Shrinkage I Tell YA- Shrinkage!"

I'm all for nude fishing. Girls only rule.  I shudder at the thought of what that river would look like if the rule were anything butt.

now that's a smokin hottie right there!

Good GOD!