Do I need to get a dedicated fly fishing bag/pack? I have a HPG chest rig that seems decent for holding the tools, besides the net. Would it make life easier in the river?

Talking about things like this:


or

It's a good idea, a waist pack for you fly gear. I know that by the time I have everything in my vest, it's got to be all of 18 lbs,  

I keep thinking about trying something else, but the vest just works too well.

I don't know if they are made anymore but I use a William Joseph Surge Mag waistpack.  It uses magnets instead of zippers.  I like the capacity and the fact I can drop my G20 right into the front compartment where I can easily and quickly get to it.

I always recommend buying a cheap one of the style you want to try and see if it works for you then purchase accordingly. I use a pack for food, water, rain gear, Med kit, etc. I use my vest for my fishing supplies. My pack is one of those cheap tactical backpacks that are like 15l. The molle is useful to strap my pole, net, etc on when hiking in and out.

No two people are going to have the same favorite bag.  I've tried pretty much everything that Fishpond/Patagonia/Orvis/Simms/Etc makes and am convinced that "perfect" does not exist.

I agree.

There are too many variables that come into play. Body size and type. Types of water fished. Wading or fishing out of a boat, etc.  What works for one person probably doesn’t work for another.

That being said, I grew up when vests were the only game in town. I have had several but still wanted to try other ways. I tried a chest pack and found that my forward vision was somewhat blocked which I didn’t like. I tried some modern day vests by Fishpond and the advances in pockets and attach points was great. But I still wanted something that felt less heavy. I then settled on a sling pack and that is what I use currently. It feels less heavy and I have an easier range of motions for both arms especially compared to a vest.

FWIW

Thanks for all the input. I'll try a few out and see how they feel. Hadn't considered the vest.

When I was fishing a lot I boiled it down to a camelback and pockets. Owned, or still own, most every style of pack or bag over the years. I just like to keep it simple.

I do pretty much all my fishing early spring and late fall, right up to freeze up.

So a cold weather setup is what I use.

I use a Simms wading jacket, don't think they make the model I have, its about 10 years old now.
Pockets galore, 4 in the front for smaller stuff, large pocket along the backside that will fit something large like a 1 1/2 x 10 x 18 box full of flies.
Pocket for your hands, a hood and its rain proof.

Its simple and can carry everything I need.
If its cold out I wear a hoodie underneath the jacket and thats it.

One thing I've learned over the years is I and most people tend to think they need more stuff than they do.
I could easily fish with a 2 dozen flies, a small 10ft spool of line for leaders, sinking heads, a net and hemostats that double as a line snip.
Thats about all I use when fishing anyways.

Different bags work for different people, if the OP is happy with his HPG pack, that will absolutely work fine.

I really like my little orvis pack like your first pic.

Not taking everything forces me to think a bit more before a trip. My vest rally leaves the closet anymore.

If anyone is looking for a fishing pack, I'm selling one in the EE:

https://www.ar15.com/forums/equipment-exchange/FS-Simms-Freestone-Fishing-Hip-Pack-NEW-100-shipped-CONUS/91-2383913/?page=1