Fly Fishing - Gear Review: Fishpond Waterdance Guide Pack

troutfly247 · Location: Colorado Springs, CO

The newest version of the guide pack from Fishpond features a little more storage capacity than its predecessor. The pack can be worn as a chest pack or around the waist as a fanny pack. I prefer to wear it around my waist due to the fact that line seems to always wrap itself around it when it is sticking out on my chest. I love the fact that I don’t have to wear a vest anymore, it seems as though I have more casting freedom. My only complaint is that my fly line tends to wrap around the pack, water bottle, or anything else that is protruding out. I’ve also noticed that when I switched to a pack from a vest, I narrowed down my gear and gadgets to just the essentials. I can’t imagine ever going back to a vest, although there are many pack/vest hybrids out now. Chest/Fanny packs seem to be the latest craze on the river, how many of you have traded in the old vest for a pack? What are some pros and cons of the switch?

troutaddict1 · Posted: Wed 03/25/09 11:16 pm Post subject:

Hey troutfly. I switched about 2 years ago to the Fishpond chestpack. I don't know what model but it is just the chest pack. I totally agree with you. it is much lighter than my previous vest and also makes me carry less. However, my line does get tangled around my hemos, nippers, and what not when casting. I have kind of learned to hold my hands out further. I definetely am glad I made the switch. Every once in a while I will go back to my vest just for fun, but I like the pack because it is all in one area in front of me. I can also hang my net for efficiently off the back.

lunchbox · Location: Utah

I've worn NUMEROUS different packs and vests and haven't found one that I was happy with... until I got the Waterdance. Great pack, tons of storage, zippers that WORK (a rarity it seems), and two beer holders. Whats not to love? The shoulder strap makes it a thousand times better than a standard waist pack.

DSFlyman · Posted: Sun 03/29/09 11:33 am Post subject:

I am constantly trying to slim down what I carry around. I have a small pack now and my back pack - perfect.