Fly anglers tend to accumulate gear, a lot of gear. The natural progression of the sport leads most of us to pursue new species, destinations, and experiences which require a multitude of rods, reels, lines, and flies. When the time comes to step into a favorite Steelhead run or board the plane to a tropical destination, make sure everything is organized and protected. Fortunately, there is a multitude of packs and bags to fit any need, whether it be an organization on the water or durability that will hold up to years of abuse by baggage handlers and in the back of the truck. Now that winter is closing in on Central Oregon, many of us are thinking of sunny days on a flats boat and hours of swinging flies in saturating coastal weather. We’ve put together a list of some of our favorite bags and packs that help us all keep our minds on tailing Bonefish and heart-stopping grabs, not worrying about where we put the damn fly box.
Hip Packs
Simms Waypoints – Small – $99.95
One of the most compact and easy-to-use hip packs out there. This pack will keep the essentials for a day on the water separated and within easy reach for the minimalist who prefers not to bring the whole shop along for a day on the water.
Fishpond Gunnison – $129.95
At a whopping 10L the Fishpond Gunnison is the largest hip pack we carry. When weight is not of concern, the capacity of this pack means nothing has to be left behind. Great as a mobile boat bag, and perfect for carrying enough gear, food, and water for a full day hike in.
Umpqua Ledges 500 – $109.95
The Umpqua packs maximize the amount of usable space for the size of the pack. An abundance of pockets and features like dividers and replaceable fly patches make this the perfect pack for those who like to keep things separate and easy to find. We love the heavy duty nature of the Umpqua packs, which are all built with solid structure and substantial hipbelts to provide support and comfort when carrying weight.
Sling Packs
Patagonia Stealth Atom Sling – $119.00
A well thought out design, durable materials, and easily adjustable sizing features make this pack one of our favorite slings. Tons of pockets provide ample storage for an assortment of fishing tools and gear, and a simple two zipper design means all is within easy reach at any time. The materials and workmanship used in the production of this pack are second to none. The water-resistant finish means the fabric will stand up to splashes and sprinkling rain, and heavy wear areas like the water bottle pocket are reinforced to ensure this pack stands up to years of abuse on the river.
Fishpond Thunderhead Sling – $229.95
Just like all of Fishpond’s gear, this pack is durable and designed with practical angling solutions in mind. Geared primarily towards anglers who spend a lot of time in the rain, this pack is ideal for coastal winter Steelheading and will keep everything inside dry regardless of how deep the wade or how hard it rains. The TZIP zippers found on most modern submersible packs do take a little getting used to but are well worth the added bulk when weather conditions get really soggy. The outside of this pack is sleek and simple and features attachments for Fishpond gear straps to hold rod tubes or extra layers on the outside of the pack when need be.
Travel
Patagonia Black Hole Duffel $129.00-$149.00
Available in a multitude of sizes, the Patagonia Black Hole duffels are perfect for hauling clothes, sleeping bags, rods, tents, and other gear. The bags feature a water-resistant finish that will stand up nicely to the odd splash or unexpected rain. Small zippered pockets throughout provide areas for keeping small items, and an internal compression system ensures the space of each size can be utilized efficiently. Stowable shoulder straps allow the bag to be carried as a backpack, and the entire system folds neatly into its own pocket for storage when not in use. We carry the 60L and 90L sizes, as well as the smaller Black Hole Cubes for keeping things separated and organized in any pack.
Simms Dry Creek Duffel – $159.95-199.95
This bag combines the functionality of a roll-top dry bag with the ergonomics of an easy to carry duffel. Great for use on any type of boat or expeditions that require warm, dry gear, these duffels are sure to hold up regardless of weather conditions. The bag is easy to use and secure even when unrolled thanks to the zippered main compartment. Side and top handles provide options for carrying the bag comfortably, and adjustable straps ensure the bag can be kept tight regardless of how full it is. We’ve got small and medium sizes in stock, and are more than happy to special order the large bags for those who need to carry some serious cargo.
Patagonia Stormfront Wet/Dry Duffel 65L – $249.00
This awesome duffel from Patagonia is built to carry wet and dry gear at the same time, ideal for use with waders or wet clothing after a rainy day or accidental swim. The floating divider allows users to maximize space with any ratio of wet to dry gear, and a few mesh pockets provide areas for small items. This bag is 100% waterproof but is deemed non-submersible because the zippers are only water resistant.
Patagonia Stormfront Roll Top Backpack – $149.00
We really like the price point of the Roll-Top pack from Patagonia. Keep clothes, flies, and food dry at a fraction of the price of the TZIP bags with the easy to use a roll-top system of this simple and functional backpack. We like the wide open single pocket of this 45L bag, which allows large items like jackets and full fishing bags to fit easily inside when protection from the elements is needed. Rod tube loops and a simple bungee system for storing wet clothes on the outside of the bag provide everything an angler needs from a bag for long hike-ins and full day adventures in saturated climates.
Fishpond Dakota Carry on Rod and Reel – $189.95
This is one of the more popular travel pieces we sell simply because of the amount of space it saves. Whether on an airplane or for use in the back of the fishing rig, there is no better way to safely transport multiple rods and reels in such a small package. The 31” size will easily accommodate 4 9’ rods and reels for each of them, and zippered pockets provide storage perfect for tippet, fly boxes, or other tools used on the water. Built specifically to meet carry-on size restrictions, this case allows us to keep our most important pieces of equipment with us when traveling great distances, eliminating worries of worst-case “airline lost the rods” scenario when traveling to remote destinations.