Callum's, dialed Fishpond StormShadow Chest Pack! Goals! (photo Callum Brock)
I'm willing to bet most anglers today don't fish utilizing a fishing vest anymore. I can say this because of a couple of reasons, one, the lack of sales on fishing vest and two, the lack of seeing folks on the rivers wearing fishing vest. This is not to say that no one uses fishing vest anymore, it's just not as common as it used to be. Today, more and more anglers are utilizing hip packs, chest packs, sling packs or backpacks. Gone are the days where everyone utilized a fishing vest.
This is especially true when it comes to the spey fisherman. In general, two handed anglers, including myself just don't like having anything in their chest area that would interfere with the spey cast. In addition to that, I've become more of a minimalist when it comes to fishing with a two handed rod for steelhead and trout. I like the freedom of carrying only what I need while I'm actually fishing. Today, I never carry gear that I might use only a couple of times a year on my person while fishing. I will have a bag in my boat or truck that will hold that once or twice used item and when I need it, it's there.
Review: "Perfect size for all of your on the water essentials. This is the first chest pack that isn't too big that it gets in the way, yet holds plenty of essentials. This pack has been a great addition this winter steelhead season, but I see a lot of potential for summer steelhead and trout season." - Callum Brock, Gorge Fly Shop.
HOW THINGS HAVE CHANGED!
With that said, the new Fishpond Stormshadow Chest Pack is seriously messing with my train of thought. It's sleekness and secure fit are very attractive to me. My program is basically that I fish with a two handed rod 95% of the time, spey, switch or trout spey. For each two handed rod I own, I've put together a labeled one gallon Ziplock bag with all the heads and tips for each rod.
I wear zippered waders so pocket space is somewhat limited so this Ziplock bag is usually stuffed just down inside my waders, above the belt and between the waders and my coat or shirt along with one or two fly boxes as well. This gives me easy access to them when needed. But when I have to unzip my waders to relieve myself, I forget sometimes that the bag and fly boxes are there and they fall to the ground. Admittedly, this gets annoying. I'll have my cell phone in a smaller sandwich sized Ziplock bag and that will be stuffed in one of the side chest wader pockets that's not waterproof. I think you know where I'm headed with this...
Callum's boat net in the net slot on the back of the pack. (photo Callum Brock)
PROBLEMS ARE BEING SOLVED HERE!
The problem with the Ziplock bag and fly boxes falling to the ground = Solved, with either the waterproof pocket or the hand warming pocket! The problem with my waders fitting much tighter because of the bag and boxes in between my waders and shirt or coat = Solved, because I no longer have to stuff the items into my waders! The problem of having my cell phone in a Ziplock bag and then putting it in a non-waterproof pocket = Solved, with the waterproof pocket!
My initial thought was there'd also be a problem having a chest pack like the Fishpond Stormshadow Chest Pack over the top of my zippered waders. However, the zipper on my waders is easily accessible to unzip. You can release one or both of the side front clasps and access the zipper that way. If you wear the chest pack somewhat loose, you can simply reach in or up and grab the zipper. Either way, you can still keep the pack on to relieve yourself, that is as long as you are going #1 and not #2 obviously. If you choose to take the pack off to relieve yourself, that's cool too. All your essentials will be in one easy to pick up and put back on pack.
ACCESSORIES
Fishpond has done an excellent job in creating numerous accessories for their packs so much so that any angler could completely outfit any Fishpond pack to fit their needs. This alone sets them apart from other companies that produce fishing packs.
SOME RECOMMENDED ACCESSORIES:
Fishpond Stormshadow Chest Pack Front and Back view.
FEATURES:
- Waterproof recycled fabric.
- Integrated waterproof pocket with TRU Zip self-healing zipper.
- Velcro fly-patch (Fly Dock not Included)
- Die cut , Hypalon, and coated webbing tool attachment points.
- Integrated net slot.
- Quick access magnetic fly box compartment.
- Backpack attachment straps (included) for use with Firehole, Ridgeline, Thunderhead, and Wind River Backpacks.
- Hidden zippered pocket on interior of front panel.
- Stretch webbing side straps.
- Front stretch pocket.
Review: Fishpond Stormshadow Chest Pack - "Arrived swiftly to New Zealand, awesome service from Gorge Fly Shop!!! The chest is just the perfect size, light super functional. I just add a Velcro patch on the front pocket over the logo (sorry for hiding it) to add a C&F Design fly patch medium size. I have now plenty of flies. Also fit my Thunderhead Submersible Backpack just a great option." - Jean-Michel on 12/2024
LAST CAST
I really, really like the fact that I can marry this pack to my Thunderhead Submersible Backpack, and have maximum room to carry what I need for a day or multi day trip. I really like the thought of summer steelhead fishing, and wet wading using the Stormshadow Chest Pack alone, it just has me excited about summer. A minimalistic designed but functionally appropriate totally customizable chest pack that is not overbearing. It will be a perfect addition to your fishing inventory!
Hope this was helpful, thanks for reading!
Gorge Fly Shop Team
John Garrett.
PARTING SHOT - It's always good to end with a sweet fish pic!
"The Gorge"
Gorge Fly Shop Team - 541.386.6977
