Waterdance Guide Pack?

[Jeff House]

I am considering buying one of the new Waterdance Guide Packs from Fishpond and wondered if anyone out there has one and what you think of it? I don't currently own any Fishpond gear so any comments on quality of gear in general would be appreciated.

[Phil Lilley]

fishpond Waterdance Guide Pack

With its three zippered main compartments and signature zip-down fly bench work area, the Waterdance is a lumbar/chest pack designed to accommodate extra gear and accessories for long days on the water. This guide-inspired pack features a compression strap system that adjusts the profile of the pack to accommodate the amount of gear you bring along. Padded waist and neck straps hold the Waterdance comfortably and securely in place while casting. Additional exterior and interior pockets keep all your accessories organized. Mesh bottle holders provide a place to stow two 16 oz. bottles (not included).

Features

* Can be worn as a chest or lumbar pack

* Three generously sized main compartments

* Signature zip-down fly bench" work area with rippled high-density foam

* Adjustable compression strap system

* Padded, breathable air mesh backing

* Interior pockets for extra gear storage

* Accent webbing and climbing cord loops for attaching tools and accessories

* Two mesh water bottle holders (bottles not included)

* Line friendly

* Fully lined interior

[Guest flyfishBDS]

I started using this pack for guiding in spring/early summer as it warmed up and I love it. Its so good I had to get it in the store alongside the rest of our Fishpond range

For a start your fancy tech shirt actually gets a chance to work properly without being smothered by a vest. Even better when the temps are in the 90s

I used the neck strap just to hold my net when guiding, the weight of the load sits on my hips.

The load _ 2 C&F waterproof boxes go in the rear compartment side by side. It will hold more I carried around an extra C&F small box with a bunch of mayfly patterns in it for a month without noticing LOL

Middle compartment I have a compartment flybox for indicators of all sizes and shapes. Normally alongside it is a waterproof SA box of buggers. Zipper pocket holds my licences, other pockets get scissors. thermometer, spare hemos and nippers, 3 different sizes of split shot dispensers, small tube of sunscreen

Front bench usually holds a stack of flies, regular uses, destroyed patterns and a few test patterns. I have four spools of monofilament (4x 5x, 7x and 8x) for dry fly fishing/leader lengthening and a fishpond zinger and clippers inside. Not that I don't trust the attachment on the zinger, I just don't trust myself not to screw it up.

I forgot in there is also a spare 110y spool of 6x Rio Flouroflex Plus, spare bottle of floatant, a Wind River foam box full of spaghetti and meatballs (eggs and worms), a small compatment box of spare midge patterns, sometimes one of scuds/sowbugs, and a safety whistle.

Never feels heavy or overfull, despite the amount of stuff Ive just listed.

I add a Morning Star lanyard with a pair of hemos, tiefast combo tool, glasses cleaner cloth, 3spools of tippet 6x and 7x flouro, 6x mono.

Great to fish with

Cheers

Steve

[Jeff House]

Thanks for the info Steve. It sounds like you really like your Waterdance pack, and that's just what I was wanting, advice from someone who had actually used one. I was worried about storage space since I havn't actually seen one in person (nobody around KC carries this pack), but it sounds like theres room for everything needed. If you don't mind me asking, what are you getting for the packs at the BDS store? What about the cost of shipping? Thanks again for the great info.

[Guest flyfishBDS]

No problems Jeff, not hard to write about something you like. I didn't reply yesterday as I was on the water all day yesterday Waterdance with me in the drift boat.

The boat was the initial reason I bought it, I would take off my vest and it would fall on the floor get soaked etc etc. I was only going to use the Waterdance for guiding in the boat, but its so comfortable for me I now use it almost exclusively.

Retail here same as anywhere $89. Three trim colors available, red, blue and olive

Shipping shouldn't be a bunch, unless you want it reallyt fast. You can email me at the store _ beaverdamstore@ipa.net with your physical address and I can get a closer figure for you.

Or we offer free shipping to the Lower 48 for fly fishing purchases over $100 _ so you could add any other items you need. We have Sage XPs 25% off as of today LOL.

Cheers

Steve

[mizzouflyfisher]

I highly recommend all fishpond products. I use the smaller pack, and typically carry 3 c&f boxes in it and a medium sized foam box. It gets the weight off of your back and is much more comfortable than a vest. Plus, I like carrying as little as possible (when I'm in Yellowstone on the Soda Butte, I throw on my sandals, put two boxes in my shirt pockets and I'm ready to go). I also love the wader bag and reel case. They also stand behind their products. Both my dad and I had the same zipper go bad on our packs. Fishpond sent a letter of apology and immediately replaced the entire pack. If you can't tell, I love fishpond. They are really pricey, especially on an unemployed college students budget, but they are well made and very functional.

Mizzfouflyfisher