Fishing Pack

SCM · Senior Member

Fishing Pack

lightfoot · Senior Member

I like the idea but give the Maxpedition products a look.� I plan to order this pack for similar use after reading a lot of reviews (non-fishing related).� They have a number of other bug out packs but this one seems to fit my needs well.

EBR doesn't list the product on their website yet but carries all Maxpedition products at 10% below listed price.�

throwinmetal · Veteran Member

I use a camelbak when I surf fish. I seem to get dehydrated when out on the beach. The only hassle is taking the back pack off to access my tackle and change lures. But sipping water is easy.

For putah i have a chest pack.

JT · Senior Member

I have two packs and a vest.� I stopped using the vest a few years ago.� It was too hot, and I have a bad habit of wading too deep.� I got a chestpack and liked the fact that my fly boxes were higher out of the water.� I wanted something for�longer trips so I could carry more water, so I got a backpack/chestpack�combo.� The backpack/chestpack is nice as I can stay hydrated, but�I tend to put too much gear in the backpack.� I end up carrying way more stuff than I could�ever use which tends to weigh me down by the end of a long day on the water.��Also, the backpack brings back the issue�of wading too deep and swamping my gear.� And in the heat of summer, the backpack was way too hot.� I've since gone back to the chestpack, and I carry a water bottle.� The chestpack also converts to a lumbarpack.� I've been thinking of trying it that way, but I couldn't wade deep and my gear wouldn't be as easily accessible.� And more importantly, where would I put my net?� There are tons of options.� You just have to look at the pros and cons of the different options and possibly use different methods of carrying your gear in different fishing situations.

-- Edited by JT at 10:06, 2008-11-18

mx19 · Senior Member

I make my freinds carry everything.

Codym · Senior Member

I use a backpack�made by fishpond called the tailwind pack�but, discontinued last year. it does not come with the chestpack but will accept one if you want. it is very comfortable and cool. there are plenty of places to add zingers and tippet posts. although its discontinued Creative sports fly shop in pleasent hill should have a few left in stock.

Cody

SCM · Senior Member

Thanks for the suggestions. I like the looks of the Maxpedition packs. I plan take a closer look at the product line. I can see some drawbacks to a pack system as mentioned by JT. However, I am not sure I can go back to the chest pack set-up until someone comes up with suspension system that does not involve supporting 5lbs of gear of on the neck. I put in a few dawn to dusk sessions last year at Putah and my neck was rubbed raw and was left with a raging migraine after dragging around my current chest pack. Maybe I will give a second look at the Fishpond line-up since you can remove the chestpack.

Frenchie · Veteran Member

Here are two packs I use and like for different reasons.

One is a Fishpond "High Country Tech Pack" (Paid $114 on Ebay). It has a chest pack and backpack with a spot for a drink bladder. Both can be worn separately or together. The chest pack can also be carried as a sling pack.�Great for longer days and bringing more gear.

The other is an Orvis "Safe Passage Compact�Chestpack" ($9.99 Ebay/$49.99 at Orvis). It�has shoulder straps instead of a neck strap and allows you to pull the pack up really high so you can wade deep. The straps that go over your back are mesh and really help on hot days. It is perfect for trouting and holds everything but a bottle of water.

Emerger · Senior Member

I went with a lumbar pack. I found one on sale at REI for $15. I accessorized it with clippers on a zinger and a tippet holder and it has plenty of room to carry everything I need including clippers (for those fing prickers at Putah), headlamp, and two beers + water. If I want to wade above my waist I simply unclip it and then throw it over my head and shoulder as a tote. Fits my needs perfectly.

Matt R · Senior Member

I use the william joseph creel its kinda funky but works for me. one thing is it seems to be made pretty good as nothing has fallen apart and its seen some time out there. my favorite way to carry things is on a cold preferbly rainy day, no pack just throw on the wading jacket with everything i need in it.

AbelBoy · Senior Member

I stopped using old school vests a long time ago since I always had it overloaded. I now own two chest different chest packs. One is strictly for light load. The other is for carrying a lot of gear. Sometimes I just use a hydration pack. I do this when I am creekin' or Steelheadin'.

When I am creekin', I'm usually minimalizing. I will take advantage of a shirt pocket to stow my fly box and the other pocket for tippets, splitshot, and indo. My hemostats are locked onto a webstrap of the shoulder harness. My nippers are hooked onto a retractor that is attached to the shoulder harnress. Inside my hydration pack usually has the water (of course), lunch or snack, and a first aid kit. My pack is large enough for a packable jacket. Also I like to carry an extra pair of socks.

When I fish for Steelhead, everything I need is packed away in the chest pockets or on a retractor. I mostly use a two handed rod and swing my flies, so I don't have to carry splits and indos. I have one small fly box, one spool of tippet in my pocket, and an extra Versitip or sinking leader. My nippers and hemostats are connected to my hydration pack just like when I'm out creekin'.

There are a lot of configurations. Go with what's most comfortable with you.

AB

shon42073 · Senior Member

I must say that camelback packs are well made and last along time. I've been using the same camelback mule pack for about 10 years now. The setup that works ok for me right now is a fishpond windwalker chestpack, I actually hated this pack at first because it was in my way to much when fishing. So i did away with the waist strap and now wear it like a shoulder bag, When i'm not digging around in the pack i can just swing it around to my side or back and its totally out of the way, The only negative thing about this pack is after a few days of hard fishing it starts to chaff your neck a bit.. That �with my old camelback pack and i easily can carry enough stuff for a long day. I wouldn't use anything that would have you get out of the water to make simple changes like a fly change, shot, tippet, etc. If your using a backpack with these things in�there its going to take way to long to make changes when you have to take it off and find what you need, Doing this standing in waist deep water will be a challenge.

cole · Senior Member

I mostly wet wade in jean shorts and a tank top.� My tippet spool is in the back pocket next to my beer.� I just wrap that 3X around my index finger and high stick with it all day long. biggrin

AbelBoy · Senior Member

Cole,
The only thing missing from your post is a Joe Dirt mullet.

AB

SK60 · Senior Member

One problem I have with my chest pack is that it hides my feet if I need to look straight down-might be my short neck, but is a pain at times.

mx19 · Senior Member

I sell camelbak and many other brands what one do you want..

Otter · Senior Member

I don't know why you guys carry so much junk. You can just pick flies from the trees left there by JT and MX 19. They usually have nice fluoro tippet as well. I also have dredged up flies on the Feather left by MX 19!! All you need is a fly rod and a couple of beers to have a good time.

Lahontan · Senior Member

LOL! son of a bleeep! I am an admittedly a ... need to dump the vest ... overloaded gear geak. I've been lookin at fishpond ... still not made up my mind, but this thread CRACKED me up.

One thing is for sure, in ability to see your feet may have less to do with the gear and more to do with all of the beer we seam to be packing into the woods!

cole · Senior Member

Fishpond waterdance guide pack.� Fits everything you got in your vest plus a beverage or two.� Billed as a lumbar pack but I wear mine more like a sling- messenger bag on my lower back.� Only thing on the front of me is a single strap.