Shotgun sling for flyfishing?

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captaink

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I'm looking to get a bear defence shotgun for flyfishing up-country. It'll likely be some type of "black shotgun" and I'm wondering what type of sling might be ideal for this.

I'll be doing plenty of single-hand fly fishing as well as lots of spey fishing, so I'll need something comfortable, something that can be worn without restricting the movement of my casting stroke, and something that will keep the gun from getting tangled in my fly line every cast.

Anyone here pack a shotgun while fly fishing?? Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.
 
Not sure about the backpack. Never even thought about it actually. I'd rather not, but now that I think about it, it might not be too bad. I could pack some stuff with me, and possibly get a pack with straps on the side that I could use to strap down the gun. Might not be easy to get at in a situation where I need to act fast though.

Sorry I'm not familiar with the word, "scabbard." Is this like some type of holster?

Thanks.
 
Well, don't know much about fishing,if you're not going to be in very deep water you could use a single point sling,making sure you wear it the proper way, in that it falls to your off side,then you'll have to make some kind of velcro strap attached to your belt and rapped around the shotgun to keep it at your side until you need it. making sure to have a big enough tab on the velcro to tear it away quickly when needed.


OKANAGAN SADDLERY,also make a good looking shoulder rig, kind of bulky looking though.


you might also try a breacher rig of some kind,like this Eagle ind

opplanet-eagle-holsters-blss-a-r-3.jpg
 
captaink said:
Sorry I'm not familiar with the word, "scabbard." Is this like some type of holster?

Thanks.
Click to expand...

yes. a padded tube made to hold a shotgun. if you have a pack with PALS webbing you can attach it alongside. its better than strapping it to a pack, because youll have easier access to it.
you could get a comfortable, small/slim pack with PALS webbing and have the shotgun in a scabbard on the side. benefits of this would be that it wouldnt move at all, it would be kept high and dry, and it would be quite comfortable if you get a pack with good suspension. and you could pack your lunch, fishing gear, etc in the pack :D

just a suggestion. i knew people would suggest single point slings, but i believe theyd be a really bad solution in your case since the last thing you want is the gun swinging around, or half of it hanging into the water.

GS05MG%20SS%20hl.jpg
BQSS.jpg
Product_6712_det.jpg
 
Blue Force Gear Victory Sling.

Exactly what you are after.

Adjust the sling to were it is slighly loose on you (just able to shoot) then with a quick pull of the tab you can tighten it up to you body so you can fish. Quick pull on the tab in the other direction allows it to loosen so you can shoot.

The sling is worn over your shooting should and under your support arm.

You can also easily slide it around to your back and then tighten it up.
 
Why not fly fish with a shotgun?

28" or 30" barrel for a good cast and mount the reel in front of the trigger guard. Some split ring key rings through the barrel vents on the to hold the line.

If nothing else you'd cause the CO's to have a stroke.
 
Thanks for all the replies and suggestions. I really appreciate it, as I'm still new to all this.
I think I'd like to try out the Blue Force Gear sling or maybe just a regular rifle/shotgun sling.
I ended up going with the Fabarm Martial Pro Forces 14".
...So for this particular shotgun, is there any type of swivels/mounts I would need to get?
Also, please feel free to post any photos you might have of your Fabarm Pro Forces sling setups.
 
manbearpig said:
yes. a padded tube made to hold a shotgun. if you have a pack with PALS webbing you can attach it alongside. its better than strapping it to a pack, because youll have easier access to it.
you could get a comfortable, small/slim pack with PALS webbing and have the shotgun in a scabbard on the side. benefits of this would be that it wouldnt move at all, it would be kept high and dry, and it would be quite comfortable if you get a pack with good suspension. and you could pack your lunch, fishing gear, etc in the pack :D

just a suggestion. i knew people would suggest single point slings, but i believe theyd be a really bad solution in your case since the last thing you want is the gun swinging around, or half of it hanging into the water.

GS05MG%20SS%20hl.jpg
BQSS.jpg
Product_6712_det.jpg
Click to expand...

Manbearpig,

Who makes those shotgun scabbards that you have pictured. They look pretty nice.
 
The one on the left, maybe Eberlestock, as that looks like an Eberlestock pack, or HSGI. The one in the middle looks like Eagle Industries and on the right probably Voodoo Tactical or Condor.
 
I worked two seasons at the Babine river counting fence, and anytime we were outside the camp's electric fence, we were required to carry a shotgun (870).

I spent a lot of off-hours swinging flies for Bulls, Rainbows and Steelhead - and often with an 870 strapped on.

Just a regular sling - with the shotgun slung across your back, barrel up on the non-casting shoulder - was what I felt was the best option.

It keeps the SG quite high (mostly out of the water), and the barrel up keeps it mostly clear of salal and from coming in contact with any downed trees which need to be scrambled over.

The key is to practice with it - unslinging, racking the slide and getting it to the shoulder. Do it until you have a good "muscle memory" of the moves. Load with slugs (forget SSG and other Buck) - and practice with the heaviest, hardest hitting loads you can find (we loaded Federal 1 1/4 ounce) until you can keep follow up shots quick and on target.

When you need that SG, its possible you'll need it quickly (though keeping good "woods sense" will allow you to avoid virtually any chance of a dangerous encounter) - and a back pack strap, or fancy holster/scabbard just won't bring it to hand quickly enough.

In my two seasons on the fence, I never needed to un-sling my SG even once - despite being in close proximity to Grizzlies on a regular basis.
 
Doubletap said:
I worked two seasons at the Babine river counting fence, and anytime we were outside the camp's electric fence, we were required to carry a shotgun (870).

I spent a lot of off-hours swinging flies for Bulls, Rainbows and Steelhead - and often with an 870 strapped on.

Just a regular sling - with the shotgun slung across your back, barrel up on the non-casting shoulder - was what I felt was the best option.

It keeps the SG quite high (mostly out of the water), and the barrel up keeps it mostly clear of salal and from coming in contact with any downed trees which need to be scrambled over.

The key is to practice with it - unslinging, racking the slide and getting it to the shoulder. Do it until you have a good "muscle memory" of the moves. Load with slugs (forget SSG and other Buck) - and practice with the heaviest, hardest hitting loads you can find (we loaded Federal 1 1/4 ounce) until you can keep follow up shots quick and on target.

When you need that SG, its possible you'll need it quickly (though keeping good "woods sense" will allow you to avoid virtually any chance of a dangerous encounter) - and a back pack strap, or fancy holster/scabbard just won't bring it to hand quickly enough.

In my two seasons on the fence, I never needed to un-sling my SG even once - despite being in close proximity to Grizzlies on a regular basis.
Click to expand...
Thanks!!
This is very helpful. :)

Were you fishing a two-handed rod, or single-hand?
 
No problem, Captaink.

I fished only a single-hander in those days.

One of the guys that worked up there with me bought a spey rod during my second season up there. It was the first deuce I'd ever seen.

Now I own and fish a couple of them (a 4wt for summer runs and a 9wt for winters) and fish them here on the Island any chance I get.
 
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