Gear Review: Fishpond Thunderhead Submersible Small Lumbar Pack
by Chris King
On a recent trip to fish the flats I had the chance to use one of the Fishpond Thunderhead Submersible Small Lumbar Packs. Let’s get something straight – it’s a fanny pack, no matter what you call it. And being a Gen Xer I’m ok with that because it’s not the first one that I’ve owned.
Fishpond makes this pack in 2 sizes. I chose the smaller size because I always take a waterproof backpack with me on all of my travels…I used to fish with this backpack and always found that I brought too much gear. At times I would feel it in my back at the end of a week. For on-the-water use the fanny pack worked out perfectly. I kept my backpack in the boat for the day as a boat bag and only carried it with me the few items that I needed for the spot we were at. I was at Christmas Island and the boat will drop you and your guide off to fish a particular area for a while, then move you to different spots periodically throughout the day. So, when I jumped out of the boat for a particular flat I had only what I needed with me. The pack is plenty big enough for 2 fly boxes, 2 spools of tippet, a hook file, 3 extra leaders, a microfiber towel, a bottle of water, my iPhone, a Clif bar, a jerky stick and a can of Zyn.
The top-entry pack features a TRU Zip waterproof and submersible zipper, and everything was kept bone dry for the entire week. There was even a flat that we jumped out on that was belly deep while looking for GT’s and not a drop of water entered the pack. I used both the waist strap and the shoulder strap to keep it in place. While fishing it always stayed secure and never got in the way of casting. The shoulder strap is on my off side and it is something I am accustomed to as I wear a sling pack when trout fishing. It also makes it really easy to swing the pack around to the front to access a new fly or the hook file, and of course the iPhone for a pic or two.
Features and Benefits:
- SIZE: Small and out of the way, perfect for walking the flats all day, keeps you from bringing too much gear
- WATERPROOF: Keeps everything bone dry
- ACCESS: Easy access when needed, wore it on my back when fishing and spun it forward when needing access
- SECURE: Stays in place while fishing
Chris King
Travel Specialist
chris@theflyshop.com | 800-669-3474 | 530-222-3555