Simms Headwater Waist Pack

[vanven]

The discussion in the General Angling forum, as well as an upcoming cold weather trip have me strongly pushing towards a waist pack. I am going through a few plusses to a waist pack tring to justify the purchase. Help me convince my wife. Cabela's has this pack for about $30 lower than most other online stores.

Pros

• Simms makes quality gear
  
• Easier to layer clothes in the winter without a bulky vest
  
• Cold weather means less deep wading so not concerned about dunking the back
  
• Wearable in the summer when it is hot and the vest is too bulky
  
• lumbar support - I was looking for a back supporting wading belt anyway
  
  Cons
  

  • It is a darn fanny pack
    
  • Lack of storage compared to my W&J Fusion Vest
    
  • Where do i wear my net?
    

  -Jerod

[Danoinark]

Don't know Jerod. Dang thing looks like it would be cumbersome all filled up with stuff. How much support would that wide belt have if the bag was full and heavy. Seems it might cause more back issues than just a wide support wading belt. But I was never good with physics so I probably have no idea what I am talking about.

Dano

[vanven]

Don't know Jerod. Dang thing looks like it would be cumbersome all filled up with stuff. How much support would that wide belt have if the bag was full and heavy. Seems it might cause more back issues than just a wide support wading belt. But I was never good with physics so I probably have no idea what I am talking about.

Dano

Size is definitely one of the major concerns I have. I just want something comfortable that will hold my nymph and streamer C&F fly boxes and tippett with a couple attachments for tools.

-Jerod

[Danoinark]

Size is definitely one of the major concerns I have. I just want something comfortable that will hold my nymph and streamer C&F fly boxes and tippett with a couple attachments for tools.

-Jerod

Well, being the frugal fly fisherman that I am, I would suggest a 10 dollar fanny pack from Wally World or some place similar. Most would have plenty of room for what you mentioned and most have d rings to hang stuff from. Cinch it up tighter and stick your net in the belt at the small of your back. Streamworks also makes a magnetic d (net) ring that will connect to the back of a shirt, jackets, etc. Dano

[flyfshn]

vanven, I had a fusion vest and recently changed to a fishpond pack that looks similar to the simms you posted. I LOVE my fanny pack and dont think I could ever go back. I purchased the fusion used and when I filled it up, it still bothered my back, so I sold it on ebay for more than I paid for it and purchased the fishpond at the recommendation of fly shop in Cotter Arkansas. It holds all of my gear and when I am not using it, I slide it around back. As Dano recommended, I purchased a magnetic net ring. The fishpond comes with an optional strap that allows it to be worn as a chestpack if you are wading in deep water. It is expensive ($75), but I have had mine for a year and it works great!

[vanven]

I probably fall into the dreaded catalog poser demographic. It comes from my hiking background. Things like weight and durability/reliability always trump price. I can remember far too many shopping trips where 6oz in weight was more important than $50.

I have looked at a lot of the Fishpond stuff and really like some of their hip packs. They are also a pseudo Kansas City company so there is a bit of local loyalty there as well. It would be a bit easier if there stuff didnt have that circus clown color scheme. Black, browns, and greys for me please. That might be a bit of an exagguration, but I will never own a piece of fishing gear with teal on it.

I may have to suck it up and drive the 30 minutes out to Cabela's to put my hands on it.

-Jerod

[vanven]

Digging this post up for an update.

I went out and bought the pack I talked about in the opening post a couple of months ago. I have fished with it for a grand total of 2 days so far but it is enough to start forming some solid conclusions.

Usability:

I really like the hip pack idea and so far it has transitioned into practice fairly well. I have been able to move most of the stuff from my oversized and bulky vest into the pack. It rained off and on last fishing trip and it was very nice to wear a rain jacket comfortably and still have it keep my gear dry. I still havent figured out a consistant way to comfortably wear the pack. I generally wear it around my waist like a fanny pack, but occasionally would use the neck/shoulder strap to sling it over my shoulder. I still had the ability to spin it around behind me and out of the way while still being comfortable. It does offer a lot of flexibility which I like, but i do find myself wanting to move it around all of the time.

I do feel a bit limited in how deep I can wade and still keep the pack dry. Normally that is not a problem, but a few time I did have a feeling where "I could reach that seam over there if I could only take a couple more steps out".

I really miss have a place to hang a net on my back. The pack does have some gear loops, but I would end up with the net dragging in the water constantly instead of between my shoulder blades. I generally fish without a net, but it is convenient when the water is cold and you just dont want to get your hands wet. When fall comes and there is a chance at a once in a lifetime fish, I dont want to be netless.

I generally carry 2 CnF fly boxes at all times: a large one for streamers and a mid sized box for hackles and nymphs. Both boxes in the pack makes for a tight fit, but I am worried that I may miss the perfect wooly bugger opportunity if I leave the box in the truck. I may have to consider breaking the boxes up into smaller boxes or carrying a smaller selection. At least when I fish at night I know I only need one box.

I also need to figure out a better arrangement for my zingers and hardware. There are loops for clip on zingers inside the pockets but it is cumbersome to dig them out from under a fly box. I may need to look at some of the Simms zingers that mount with a pin so my nippers and hemostats will be more accessable.

Convenience

This is where I notice the biggest change. It is so easy to take off, sit down, put back on, etc. I feel a lot less encumbered and a lot more mobile with the hip pack on. I can layer clothes now and easily remove layers while fishing. I can also relieve myself in the bushes without stringing gear everywhere.

Those are my thoughts so far.

-Jerod

[Flysmallie]

I can also relieve myself in the bushes without stringing gear everywhere.

Oh that sold it right there. I have to have one.

[Yakfly]

Well, being the frugal fly fisherman that I am, I would suggest a 10 dollar fanny pack from Wally World or some place similar. Most would have plenty of room for what you mentioned and most have d rings to hang stuff from. Cinch it up tighter and stick your net in the belt at the small of your back. Streamworks also makes a magnetic d (net) ring that will connect to the back of a shirt, jackets, etc. Dano

What I've gone to (at the suggestion of more than a few on this board) is a well-pocketed fishing shirt, hat with fly patch, and a lanyard. Small fly box in pocket (sometimes).

Since I've radically downsized on-stream gear this year, My fishing has been MUCH more enjoyable than my VEST/FANNYPACK days.

[OKFlyFisher44]

I have 2 FishPond packs...a small one that I keep my warmwater streamers/poppers in and then the larger one has all my trout gear in it. I love them both. Couldn't imagine fishing without them now...don't know why I ever fished with a vest to be honest.

The larger pack is the FishPond WaterDance guide pack....it holds all my gear in the front 2 pockets while leaving the largest pocket free to put my phone, camera, wallet, fishing licence, snacks, chewing tobacco, etc etc etc in its own place which is really nice. Anything that I worry about getting wet I just put inside a small dry bag and stick in that pocket. I can also carry a couple bottles of water with me. I just have my snips on a clip-on zinger while keeping my hemostats crimped onto one of the accessory loops out of the way. It all has its place and doesn't hang each other up. I do occasionally hang my fly line on my hemostats but thats when I forget to push the pack around behind my back.

I had the same issue with finding a place to put my net. The waterdance pack has an accessory loop that I was hanging my net from but it would drag in the water and get all crossed up with my feet or flyline when I needed it. So now I just stick it through the belt between my back and the pack at the small of my back. Fits there just fine and doesn't bother me one bit.