Vest Packs
David Anderson gets all dressed up with nowhere to go.
I knew I was onto a fly fishing fashion winner when the wife walked into my office while I was trying on a Fishpond Wildhorse Tech pack and said “You look ridiculous.” I wonder was it that I was air casting to check the comfort or because I wasn’t wearing pants?
Whatever these new packs look like, they are a great way to organise and carry all the trappings of fly fishing—the modern take on the old vest.
All models I’m looking at here would be an awesome set-up for those trips where one minute you’re fishing a small stream in the heat of the day and the next stalking the edges of a lake in the cool of the evening. I can also see a place for one of these on the next trip to New Zealand where you can be on your way to somewhere famous to fish large dries and end up pulled over at some roadside tarn and needing that size 18 unweighted green nymph to have any chance at the horse brown you spotted from the car. You will have room for a camera if you catch it, and tissues if you don’t.
I’ll start at the top end with the Fishpond ‘Wildhorse’ and ‘High Country’ Tech packs. The Wildhorse is a large set-up with a front vest section and a large day pack on the back; if you can pack light it would work for overnight trips into remote areas. The front section is a very well appointed vest with heaps of pockets that run from the front to the sides with a place for everything. There are two drop down fly pockets with built in removable foam to keep all the flies you might need at hand without digging for boxes, and plenty of places for tippet and tools. The large pockets have pockets and mesh sections within for things that need extra protection like phones and keys.
Both the front section and backpack have zippers to expand capacity and more than enough pockets to fit anything and everything. Compression straps keep everything tidy and not bouncing around while you’re doing the hoof work.
The backpack has straps on the bottom that would hold a tent or sleeping bag and you can attach a rod tube to each side; there’s also a hidden rain cover in case the drought breaks.
The High Country is basically a large chest pack with a smaller pack on the back that can be removed if you’re travelling light. There is one large fly box on the front, and numerous attachment points for zingers and accessories on both models.
Like all the Fishpond stuff I’ve had a look at they’re fairly pricey, but well designed, well put together and last word in hauling around fly tackle.
Both packs have provision for large water bladders and a mount for a drinking tube at hand on the shoulder straps. The ergonomics are very sound with comfortable straps, plenty of adjustments and good padding that keeps everything from sticking to you in the heat.
Pro Angler stores have their own range of Stalker vest packs that come as a vest or a chest pack at $125.00 each, with a $99.00 backpack that fits either, though you get the backpack for less when bought as a combo.
The Stalker gear is great value, solid, simple and well set-out for our harsh conditions; both the vest and chestpack have built-in zingers and similar fly pockets to the Fishpond gear, there’s also provision for water bladders and drinking tubes. They come with a single compartment on the back that would work for a jacket and lunch, but if you need more room you strap on the backpack which has more than enough room for the big trips.
The Stalker gear is comfortable with wide waist and shoulder straps and plenty of adjustment and though not as light as the Fishpond gear, should provide years of service.
At the budget end of things is the Gillies vest backpack; for your $89.00 you get a simple and light vest with a good tippet system, outside fly patch, heavy duty zingers, and large fly box pockets. The backpack is large and has two rod tube holders on the sides.
The vest packs I’ve listed here are just the tip of the iceberg. To really appreciate the features of these things you’ll need to do the rounds of the fly shops, look them over and risk trying some on.