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Recommended Fly Reels
Umpqua Northfork Chest Pack
Umpqua makes great products with bombproof quality, and I used the their Overlook chest pack for nearly a decade and loved it. The only reason I stopped using it is that I’ve significantly cut down on what I carry, and I just didn’t need all the storage it had. The Northfork is an updated version of the overlook, and I’ve heard only good things. I’ve not used it myself, but for anglers that need more storage, I 100% recommend umpqua.
Muserise Ultralite Chest Pack
The Muserise chest pack is what I went to after downsizing from the Umpqua Overlook. It’s a cheap, $20 Amazon buy that worked perfectly for my needs. It holds on 4 page fly box and one slim single page box, as well as a few accessories. I used the straps to make my current DIY chest box because they’re super comfortable. It’s cheap enough that it’s worth a shot if you want to try going minimalist.
Zavothy Hydration Pack
The Zavothy Hydration pack is another cheap Amazon buy that punches above its price point. It’s a solid hydration pack and gives you some additional storage if you’re using a chest box or minimalist pack. The straps are pretty comfortable and it distributes the weight of a full hydration bladder well. Adding this to my setup was a game changer for staying hydrated and feeling good after a day of fishing or guiding.