Most anglers turn to tried-and-true options for carrying their essential gear on the water. Vests, chest packs, and slings have been standard fly fishing equipment for generations.
But there are other options that folks have used to great success that might fit you or how you fish.
For a number of reasons, fly fishing out of a backpack could be perfect for you. Multi-liter capacity packs aren’t just for overnight hikers, gearheads, and people who can’t leave a single box of flies at home. A backpack might make the most sense for certain people and the way that they pursue fish.
Below I explore why the capacity, versatility, and comfort of a backpack make it a great option for fly fishing. I also answer the biggest question people have: but how do I get to my stuff?
Capacity
The obvious benefit of a backpack is that it affords the largest capacity of any storage option. Even the smallest daypacks have more internal space than the most robust fly fishing vests. While many popular products and practices are geared towards minimalism, plenty of anglers still prefer to carry more.
It isn’t just packrats, either. Big flies and spare spools on the saltwater flats necessitate room. Walk and wade guides need as much stuff as they would have access to if they were on a boat. Clothing layers, food or water, and large cameras will quickly fill up a fly fishing sling pack. More than anything else, wading gear is enormous. A backpack has room for everything you’ll need on and around the water.
Versatility
When you’re fly fishing in the backcountry, you don’t get the luxury of only carrying fly fishing gear. You’ll also need anything and everything you might need to be prepared to spend a night in the wilderness. And even the most spartan load won’t fit in the back of your vest.
Any time you’re combining activities, a backpack is going to be the superior option. This is not limited to extreme adventure. There are circumstances where you want to take a lot of things plus a rod and flies: being the designated food and water mule; travelling light across the country; taking the whole family on a hike.
Comfort
Vest and sling packs fit and feel great when you wear them as they were designed to be worn. Too often, packs are discarded as uncomfortable simply because they are overburdened beyond their intended purpose. A sore neck or shoulder is probably your fault, not the piece of padded nylon that went through countless R&D checks.
If you want to carry more or heavier, a backpack will feel much better. Assuming you don’t overload it, the dual-shoulder design will distribute weight evenly where you have the most strength.
Also, a backpack brings a lot of stability. It won’t slide like a sling or bounce like a vest. From a safety and efficiency standpoint, backpacks leave your front totally free. You can see your feet and there’s nothing for your line to get snagged on.
What about accessibility?
There is one big downside to having all your gear behind you: it is behind you. To be fair, sliding your arm out of a strap isn’t the most inconvenient thing in the world. There are work-arounds, though.
The simplest thing is to equip your essential tools so they can be hung from your pack straps. Prep your forceps, nippers, and tippet so it can be at the ready with zingers or carabiners. Utilize a small box for essential flies or some kind of patch so the patterns you turn to most frequently are always at hand.
I have a couple of backpacks that I really enjoy. The pack that has worked the best for me when I integrate fly fishing gear is the Spinner Daypack from Vedavoo. Each pack is made to order out of the highest quality gear – and it happens right here in the USA.