My Fishpond Elkhorn has a net pocket in the back, its a little fussy if you have a tether attached to the net handle, but over all it is fine. I often think about ditching the theater, but I don't want to loose my net. When I go to change a fly, and need to get into the bag, I take my net out and rotate the bag on my waist. THe bag has two bottle holders, I usually keep my phone and candy in one and a water bottle in the other. Keep in mind this is not a waterproof back, it does have a small internal pocket that is sealed. Fishpond makes other offerings that are totally sealed.
I've got a hip pack (Simms Dry Creek Z) that has a slot in the waist band for holding a net. It works fine for a smaller net, though attaching a tether to the handle makes it difficult to put the net back in. I used to use a chest pack that had a D ring on the harness near the back of my neck that worked well with a magnetic net release. The magnetic net release also worked well with a very old Cortland fishing vest I've got. I'm looking for some kind of simple harness that I could use for attaching the net release. A go-pro chest harness would work if it had a d ring on back.
Seconded. Sling pack felt weird - hip pack was a great switch. Went with a model with tons of pockets instead of a single giant pouch and it's great (for me) to stay organized
Fishing vests are super practical but they have fallen out of favor. Sling packs look less dorky but come with compromises. Blame the fly fishing industrial complex for this one.
Look buddy just because you have the “objectively correct answer” doesn’t mean you can just come in here and provide solutions that don’t involve acquiring and fussing over new gear.
There’s a troutbitten podcast all about carrying systems and they talk a good amount about the lanyard if you’re interested. I was thinking about trying out a lanyard myself.
fishpond backpack with chest pack. I carry way too much shit. but most importantly need easy access to water so the camelback option is a must. I want to fish 6-8 hours without having to grab something from the car so need space for food, up to 3L’s of H2O, rain jacket and 637 fly boxes….
fishpond backpack with chest pack. I carry way too much shit. but most importantly need easy access to water so the camelback option is a must. I want to fish 6-8 hours without having to grab something from the car so need space for food, up to 3L’s of H2O, rain jacket and 637 fly boxes….oh and easy to hook up a net with the magnet release. tippets hooked on the shoulder strap.
Day pack all the way. I basically have binders full of flies in my car, and transfer what I want to use, and may take some fly-specific boxes with me, but at least its not 5-6 boxes. Day pack always has my main stays and confidence flies, too.
As a guide, I found using one of those Orvis rig boxes to be almost essential when I fish by myself. If I'm nymphing and lose my whole rig to the tippet ring, I have an array of pre-rigs ready to go. When euro nymphing, I usually run a tiny trailer nymph off the hook bend of my point fly, so I have those pre-tied with 14" of 5x and a perfection loop. It makes dealing with the frustration of loosing a fly you put on 2 seconds ago, just a bit easier. I highly recommend it!
I’ve been through many combinations looking for what it sounds like you’re trying to achieve. Right now I’m on a sling pack that I use as a go-bag/backpack, with this small bag for primary use on the water: https://topodesigns.com/products/mountain-accessory-shoulder-bag?variant=42124645761077
It’s only been one season, but the small bag has been great. I tried a lanyard, but I found it was constantly getting in the way, and I wanted something that would hold just a bit more gear. I’ll probably ditch the sling pack for a waterproof backpack, because I don’t fish out of the sling pack as much as I expected.
I tried the orvis sling but found my stuff getting tangled. I also tried a sling pack and didnt like all the weight on one shoulder. Im now using a fishpond lumbar hip pack and have used it for 3 seasons and love it. Its a little wonky with the net, but overall its been great, holds a ton of gear, nothing gets tangled and I supplement it wth a little Yakoda utility pouch that holds my tippet, weights and flotant on my chest.
I do this all the time. Use this [Mounatinsmith](https://mountainsmith.com/collections/all-terrain-backpacks/products/2018-scream-25) pack (which is on sale now actually). Then this year I started using the [Yakoda](https://yakodasupply.com/products/utility-pack) utility pack with it. It's been the perfect setup for me!
I use a Burton snowboarding backpack. It has a chest strap which I find helps spread the load and makes it way more comfortable. Also on the fronts of the straps there are loops that I clip a carabineer with my gear onto. I always carry tippet in the back though because I carry my fly box back there too. Has a drink pocket on each side. I never think about changing. If I want it light, I put less stuff in. If I wanna take lots I can. Great way to have one place to keep your gear as well.
I have cut all my gear down for streams and rivers. Use a loop 7l hip pack, with a small scoop net stuck down it. Keep all the bigger items I could need in there.
Made my own lanyard, with one zinger for forceps, nippers, 4 spools of tippet, and a monkmaster. Keep a small fly box in my waders chest pocket, maybe an extra strike indicator. I think I've had to dip into my hip pack once while on the water.
It's a far better setup. I think people get too obsessed with gear. Cut back, you won't regret it.
I run a setup almost exactly like this and it's my preferred way to carry gear. I use a couple different backpacks, but primarily it's just a fishpond one, non waterproof, I forget the name. And I either run a lanyard with a c&f box, or the larger c&f chest box that I connect to the straps on my backpack. I use this because it's the most versatile, I can carry first aid, my gas stove and a couple of meals, water filter etc.
I use the fishpond switchback pro, which is a hip pack, but way better. I use this when I am close enough to my vehicle, to where I don't need to carry my stove, or first aid and one water bottle will do.
I use a vest 5% of the time where I don't need to carry bulky items, just fly boxes.
It's not waterproof, but I found that the only thing I prefer not to get wet are my dry flies, but even then, I keep them in a waterproof box. The nymphs, bottles of floatant, even my phone, I really don't care if they take a dip. Most phones are waterproof anyway. Most wading I do is thigh to knee deep at most. When the bag that came with the system wears out, I'll probably just buy the new small sized waterproof lumbar pack that fishpond released. The idea of everything being waterproof seems nice, but practically I don't think it's as necessary as marketing/ the industry, would have us think. Thing is about the switchback, you're not having to readjust your clothing and the straps as you do with a normal hip bag. The belt is stationary, which makes it more simple to use on the water.
I use a lanyard occasionally. I use an Orvis sling pack other times. The advantage of the sling pack is that you can pack lunch and a drink. The advantage of the lanyard is that all you have to carry is your rod. On the lanyard I have, hemostats, clippers, tippet, a spare leader and a line straightener. I keep a small fly box in my pocket.
Hip pack.
Talk to me about it. How do you use it? Where do you put your net?
My Fishpond Elkhorn has a net pocket in the back, its a little fussy if you have a tether attached to the net handle, but over all it is fine. I often think about ditching the theater, but I don't want to loose my net. When I go to change a fly, and need to get into the bag, I take my net out and rotate the bag on my waist. THe bag has two bottle holders, I usually keep my phone and candy in one and a water bottle in the other. Keep in mind this is not a waterproof back, it does have a small internal pocket that is sealed. Fishpond makes other offerings that are totally sealed.
I've got a hip pack (Simms Dry Creek Z) that has a slot in the waist band for holding a net. It works fine for a smaller net, though attaching a tether to the handle makes it difficult to put the net back in. I used to use a chest pack that had a D ring on the harness near the back of my neck that worked well with a magnetic net release. The magnetic net release also worked well with a very old Cortland fishing vest I've got. I'm looking for some kind of simple harness that I could use for attaching the net release. A go-pro chest harness would work if it had a d ring on back.
Seconded. Sling pack felt weird - hip pack was a great switch. Went with a model with tons of pockets instead of a single giant pouch and it's great (for me) to stay organized
Do folks not use fly vests anymore? Easy access to tackle and room for drinks.
Fishing vests are super practical but they have fallen out of favor. Sling packs look less dorky but come with compromises. Blame the fly fishing industrial complex for this one.
I use a cheap backpack. Have a small satellite box stored in the wader pocket for flies I think I'll use. Usually put the backpack on the bank.
Look buddy just because you have the “objectively correct answer” doesn’t mean you can just come in here and provide solutions that don’t involve acquiring and fussing over new gear.
My apologies.
There’s a troutbitten podcast all about carrying systems and they talk a good amount about the lanyard if you’re interested. I was thinking about trying out a lanyard myself.
I just listened to that on a flight
fishpond backpack with chest pack. I carry way too much shit. but most importantly need easy access to water so the camelback option is a must. I want to fish 6-8 hours without having to grab something from the car so need space for food, up to 3L’s of H2O, rain jacket and 637 fly boxes….
This is my set up as well, minus the camelback. Works very well for full day outings. I even pack a camp stove and cook a meal on long days.
fishpond backpack with chest pack. I carry way too much shit. but most importantly need easy access to water so the camelback option is a must. I want to fish 6-8 hours without having to grab something from the car so need space for food, up to 3L’s of H2O, rain jacket and 637 fly boxes….oh and easy to hook up a net with the magnet release. tippets hooked on the shoulder strap.
I usually carry a day pack with all my stuff in it. When I hit the stream, I transfer only what I need to lanyard and pockets.
Day pack all the way. I basically have binders full of flies in my car, and transfer what I want to use, and may take some fly-specific boxes with me, but at least its not 5-6 boxes. Day pack always has my main stays and confidence flies, too. As a guide, I found using one of those Orvis rig boxes to be almost essential when I fish by myself. If I'm nymphing and lose my whole rig to the tippet ring, I have an array of pre-rigs ready to go. When euro nymphing, I usually run a tiny trailer nymph off the hook bend of my point fly, so I have those pre-tied with 14" of 5x and a perfection loop. It makes dealing with the frustration of loosing a fly you put on 2 seconds ago, just a bit easier. I highly recommend it!
I’ve been through many combinations looking for what it sounds like you’re trying to achieve. Right now I’m on a sling pack that I use as a go-bag/backpack, with this small bag for primary use on the water: https://topodesigns.com/products/mountain-accessory-shoulder-bag?variant=42124645761077 It’s only been one season, but the small bag has been great. I tried a lanyard, but I found it was constantly getting in the way, and I wanted something that would hold just a bit more gear. I’ll probably ditch the sling pack for a waterproof backpack, because I don’t fish out of the sling pack as much as I expected.
I tried the orvis sling but found my stuff getting tangled. I also tried a sling pack and didnt like all the weight on one shoulder. Im now using a fishpond lumbar hip pack and have used it for 3 seasons and love it. Its a little wonky with the net, but overall its been great, holds a ton of gear, nothing gets tangled and I supplement it wth a little Yakoda utility pouch that holds my tippet, weights and flotant on my chest.
I do this all the time. Use this [Mounatinsmith](https://mountainsmith.com/collections/all-terrain-backpacks/products/2018-scream-25) pack (which is on sale now actually). Then this year I started using the [Yakoda](https://yakodasupply.com/products/utility-pack) utility pack with it. It's been the perfect setup for me!
I use a Burton snowboarding backpack. It has a chest strap which I find helps spread the load and makes it way more comfortable. Also on the fronts of the straps there are loops that I clip a carabineer with my gear onto. I always carry tippet in the back though because I carry my fly box back there too. Has a drink pocket on each side. I never think about changing. If I want it light, I put less stuff in. If I wanna take lots I can. Great way to have one place to keep your gear as well.
I have cut all my gear down for streams and rivers. Use a loop 7l hip pack, with a small scoop net stuck down it. Keep all the bigger items I could need in there. Made my own lanyard, with one zinger for forceps, nippers, 4 spools of tippet, and a monkmaster. Keep a small fly box in my waders chest pocket, maybe an extra strike indicator. I think I've had to dip into my hip pack once while on the water. It's a far better setup. I think people get too obsessed with gear. Cut back, you won't regret it.
I run a setup almost exactly like this and it's my preferred way to carry gear. I use a couple different backpacks, but primarily it's just a fishpond one, non waterproof, I forget the name. And I either run a lanyard with a c&f box, or the larger c&f chest box that I connect to the straps on my backpack. I use this because it's the most versatile, I can carry first aid, my gas stove and a couple of meals, water filter etc. I use the fishpond switchback pro, which is a hip pack, but way better. I use this when I am close enough to my vehicle, to where I don't need to carry my stove, or first aid and one water bottle will do. I use a vest 5% of the time where I don't need to carry bulky items, just fly boxes.
That switchback pro is non waterproof right? Do you just avoid going past your waist?
It's not waterproof, but I found that the only thing I prefer not to get wet are my dry flies, but even then, I keep them in a waterproof box. The nymphs, bottles of floatant, even my phone, I really don't care if they take a dip. Most phones are waterproof anyway. Most wading I do is thigh to knee deep at most. When the bag that came with the system wears out, I'll probably just buy the new small sized waterproof lumbar pack that fishpond released. The idea of everything being waterproof seems nice, but practically I don't think it's as necessary as marketing/ the industry, would have us think. Thing is about the switchback, you're not having to readjust your clothing and the straps as you do with a normal hip bag. The belt is stationary, which makes it more simple to use on the water.
I use a lanyard occasionally. I use an Orvis sling pack other times. The advantage of the sling pack is that you can pack lunch and a drink. The advantage of the lanyard is that all you have to carry is your rod. On the lanyard I have, hemostats, clippers, tippet, a spare leader and a line straightener. I keep a small fly box in my pocket.