Anglers these days, myself included, walk around some expensive gear when fishing and you need a great fly fishing backpack if you want it to stay safe and protected.
I walked the flats of Seychelles for three years with a $2000 Canon SLR and it’s only because I had one of the best fishing backpacks around, the FishPond Thunderhead, that it managed to survive and still works today.
| Image | Product | Details | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Best Of The BestFishpond Thunderhead Fishing Backpack |
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| Best Allrounder YETI Panga Airtight Fly Fishing Backpack |
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| Best For Trout FishingSimms Freestone Ambidextrous Fishing Backpack |
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| Best ValueFishPond Wind River Roll-Top |
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| Best For FreshwaterOrvis Waterproof Backpack |
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Detailed Fly Fishing Backpacks Reviews
Fishpond Thunderhead Fishing Backpack
Check Trident Fly Fishing Price
Specs
- Capacity: 28 L
- Pockets: 4
- Waterproof: Yes
- Material: 1680d TPU coated recycled Cyclepond nylon fabric
Pros
- Built tough from durable recycled materials
- Fully waterproof
- Excellent external attachment points
- Thick padded waist belt and shoulder straps
Cons
- Not many internal pockets to keep things organized
- A little expensive
The FishPond Thunderhead is one of the best fly fishing backpacks around in my opinion, and I own one so am slightly biased.
This is a waterproof backpack that is made from FishPond’s own recycled Cyclepond nylon. The outer shell is thick and rubbery and it’s secured with a waterproof zipper to ensure that all your gear stays dry, even on a wet day on the water.
Beyond being waterproof, it’s also a submersible backpack and you can even use it as a PFD (personal flotation device) as the zipper is airtight too. I’ve swum a kilometer across a creek to get to a fishing spot, and this backpack stayed afloat and actually adided my swim.
This fly fishing backpack comes with a large main compartment that will fit everything from lunch, a water bottle, and numerous fly boxes plus any other gear. Internally there are a few zippered pockets for valuables but not much else. Even fully loaded, it’s comfy to carry thanks to the padded back panel, shoulder strap, and waist belt.
Externally you’ll find attachment points for rod or rod tube, daisy chain webbing, a clip for a tippet holder, and another easy-access zippered pocket.
YETI Panga Airtight Fly Fishing Backpack
Specs
- Capacity: 28 L
- Pockets: 3
- Waterproof: Ye
- Material: Nylon with a thick TPU lamination
Pros
- Great size main compartment
- Incredibly tough
- Waterproof build
- Good attachment points
- Has a laptop sleeve
- Internal zippered pocket
- Comfortable to carry
Cons
- Watertight zipper is tough to open
- Not many pockets inside
- No waist belt
The YETI Panga Airtight Fly Fishing Backpack is another fishing backpack