Viking Lars | Saturday, 27 August 2022
How much extra gear to bring with you? It depends if course on the situation. On my recent trip to Norway, I chose to bring a 14’ and 15’ rod and a backup for both. Weight and storage wasn’t an issue and I could borrow one of the spares from a friend. Two reels - both sturdy, sp less likely to break down. I’ll no go into lines, leaders and flies.
On a normal trip to my usually haunts at home, I’ll usually just bring what I need and no more. Should I break a rod, snap a line or dent a reel it’s no disaster. Tomorrow’s a new day. In a float tube, pontoon boat or a boat, I’ll bring more, because once again, space and weight is usually no concern.
*How* you bring the gear to the water is another issue. It also depends on how much, but I never bring much. Maybe an extra rod and reel with a different setup and always water and a lunch. Usually also a camera. Always in a back pack, just in case I bring it along as I fish.
I have a few to choose from, so it’s mainly a choice depending on waterproof or not. I do have a rain cover for the non-waterproof, but it doesn’t stand up to heavy rain. My camera gear is of course my main concern. So if rain is on the forecast, I bring the water proof one. It also has a little more room than the non-waterproof.
But it has no compression straps and very little internal organisation options, unless I use smaller cube packs in the pack, which I good, but less optimal. And I really don’t the the feeling of gear moving around in the pack.
For this purpose, the little Gregory Nano 18 in the PoD is fantastic. It has a really good carry system (so does the Simms, but gear still rattles around), suitable internal storage and weighs nothing. With a good cover, it’ll stand up to the occasional rain shower. I just got a Simms FlyWeight roll-top waterproof pack, but it doesn’t have a proper carry system, so at least carrying the camera will be annoying. We’ll see - maybe I’ll report back.
I definitely prefer carrying just what I need and no more, but full fishing days requires more water than I want to carry in my vest or sling pack and a proper lunch too.
When travelling, I always just bring the water proof one. It fits as carry on luggage and it covers everything, so I’ll accept the compromise of no compression straps and the fact that it’s often a little too big for day trips away from the cabin.
I’ve had the Gregory pack for a little less than a year, but I’m thoroughly impressed with it. Very comfortable, cheap even, seems quite durable and as a bonus, it’s the best pack I’ve ever had for biking.
Have a great weekend!
Lars