The Wasatch Tech Pack by Fishpond
Fishpond Wasatch Tech Pack – Review by Nick Hart
Modern day anglers demand mobility when fishing and with good reason; covering more ground means that we should discover more fish! For the last few years I have been using the Wasatch Tech Pack by Fishpond to stay on the move whilst carrying all the essential items I require for a successful day. This ingenious pack has been developed with the fly angler in mind, featuring flip down fly benches, a specific forceps holder and built in tabs which accept custom made Fishpond Retractors.
But the Wasatch Pack offers me far more than a few time saving features. When heading out for a long day in the mountains chasing Wild Brown Trout I have to make sure that I am prepared for anything, especially when guiding clients. The ample backpack lets me stock up with food, sun block, a basic medical kit and of course a spare box of flies, although the main pockets allow room for a generous collection of fluff! Furthermore the fly bench feature incorporates removable foams that will swallow even more flies, set them up with patterns ready for whichever species you wish to target and swap accordingly.
The chance to walk miles away from civilisation in pursuit of fish is a mouth watering proposition which could turn to disaster if a rod is broken, but I overcome this by adding a spare one (or even two!) to the rod tube holder neatly integrated into the backpack. “What about drinking water?”I hear you say; after all remaining hydrated will assist our concentration. Again the clever people at Fishpond have thought of this by incorporating an area to house a water bladder and a neat little slot (marked H20!) through which a bite valve may be pushed. Simple!
The overall construction has undeniably been produced to withstand the rigours of an active outdoor pursuit and would suit many angling disciplines, not just fly fishing. Fishpond products look cool too, blurring the gap between a traditional fishing waistcoat and a technical pack. Gone are the days of the dowdy safari like waistcoat we all used to wear, Fishpond have revolutionised the way we carry our tackle. Indeed the Wasatch Pack (and many others in the range) provides a rugged all in one fishing system that leads the market in terms of design and practicality. But what about the extra weight being carried which previously resided in a bag or standard rucksack? This has been well thought out too, the Wasatch spreading the load very evenly while the open arm design allows for maximum movement while casting. One size fits all, so load up, adjust the webbing straps accordingly and head out for your next fishing adventure!
Key Features
• Integrated, expandable backpack
• “One-size-fits-most” adjustable shoulder and waist strap design
• Padded, contoured shoulder straps for load-carrying control and comfort
• Eight large front pockets
• Two signature, zip down fly bench with replaceable foam, patented moulded pocket design
• Two water resistant pockets with taped seams and splash-proof YKK zippers
• Four large interior mesh pockets
• Three backpack compartments
• Expandable main cargo compartment
• Gear attachment tabs, cord loops, and D-ring net lash
• Forcep/Hemostat keeper
• Lightweight, waterproof and breathable fabric
• Built-in rod tube holder with compression straps
• Holds up to 100 oz. fishpond Waterlog Hydration Reservoir (Optional)
Click here to see the Fishpond Wasatch Tech Pack at Hart Flyshop
