Waist Packs?
- This topic has 22 replies, 17 voices, and was last updated Sep 15, 2007 at 1:15 am by
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I’m in the market for a flyfishing waist pack. I have an old JW Outfitters waist pack that has seen better days. I’m interested in either a Fishpond product (Waterdance Guide Pack) or William Joseph (Riptide or Catalyst). Sage has a model they call the Lumbar that looks nice. Right now I’m leaning toward the Catalyst as it seems WJ has put a little more thought into the suspension system.
Here’s list of these packs for comparison: [ur]http://www.riverbum.com/Vests-Packs/[/url]
Anyone own one? First hand experience? Thoughts appreciated.
I have a Simms waist pack that is great. Not a ton of features but pretty dang bullet proof. Also have an older JW that is full of features and has stood up very well.
If waterproofness is the most important thing, try a Sagebrush pack…
Steve,
I too would recommend the Fishpond waist packs. I have had good experience with all of the Fishpond products that I have bought, and unlike Zach’s packs, mine have held up well (I probably don’t fish as much as Zach either, though). Ben has a similar Sage lumbar pack and he likes it too compared with the vest or day pack.
One feature that is lacking on the Fishpond waist packs are compression straps on the underside. Ben’s Sage has these and they make easy work of lashing a pair of Chacos or a lightweight rain jacket to the pack. I always have to “engineer” a place for my rain jacket when carrying my waist pack.
Nate
If you are worried about getting wet, go with the chest pack. I thought I wanted a waist pack, but since I fish the coast a lot, I needed something a little higher. For $25 you can get a white river job at bass pro – it’s not water proof, but then when you are getting that wet, what really is –
It seems to be holding up well and I’ve fished with it probably 2-3 days per week for the past year in a wide variety of conditions and applications – and heck, for $25 I can get another when it wears out –
If you need the hydration factor, look at one of those combo jobs –
Mark
Thanks for the tips guys! I’m headed to The Fish Hawk (Atlanta) this week to see the packs up close.
Nate….you about ready for the Fall Brookie Scramble? I hear they really need rain up there.
Have you ever noticed that by connecting the product to fly fishing, a company can at least triple the price.
A lot been said but I’d suggest that Zach’s experience with teh Dragon Fly is related to that lighter model not the Waterdance.
Ive guided/fished out of mine for the past two years.
Comfort factor is excellent the waist band is excellent, wide supportive and importantly takes the load off my neck/shoulders, old football indjury.The Waterdance takes two big C&F waterproofs in the back, (closest to my body) side by side vertically.
In here goes some spare spools of tippet, some leaders, strick on indicators etc. I can also squeeze in another small flybox if necessary.
Middle pocket I use one SA waterproof box, and a smaller compartment box of microball indicators. Licence, tubs of shot, miscellaneous crap etc. Any other boxes of hatch specific flies.Front pocket has a huge fold down fly table for go to patterns. No boxes in here, mainly flies, spare knick knacks I need for the day. Dry Shake, blah de blah. I keep a pair of Fishpond nippers and fishpond zinger here.
I don’t use the outside tabs much, just a pair of pliers and a rescue tool (driftboat anchor rope cutter) on the waist band. The neck strap I sling from the back, under the shoulder s over the back of the neck just to hold the net and no other weight. If I po one arm out I can pull the pack to the side or front for working out of
Add a lanyard with working tippet, haemos, shot and a few indicators, nippers
Oh my god….
That chest pack and hat so clash sweetie !
www.dsaphoto.com
A picture is thousand words that takes less than a second while a thousand words is a picture that takes a month.
The Prada’s are missing Courty !! my fishing life is so empty now… :'( ;D
Have any of you used one of the Simms Drycreek backpacks or chest packs ?
i was thinking of ditching my STUPID Lowepro Drizone and getting something that was waterproof.
www.dsaphoto.com
A picture is thousand words that takes less than a second while a thousand words is a picture that takes a month.
Just thought some of you might interested in this…
http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2007/09/06/fashion/20070909_PHYSICAL_SLIDESHOW_index.html
New York Times Vest Slides Show (test) 🙂
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