Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Fishin’ Buddy Chest/Lumbar Pack Preview

I’m going to call this a PREview, rather than a REview. I’m doing so mainly because this pack is a creation that I’ve been involved with from the start. I probably have more of a subjective opinion on it than an independent reviewer!
The Fishin’ Buddy is being produced by Mountain Ridge Gear in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Mountain Ridge Gear owner, Eric Lynn, and I have a long history of backpacking and fishing the backcountry together. Several years ago we hatched the idea of a lightweight, simple, versatile fishing pack that could be used both with and without a backpack, and that would be manufactured in the US. Our initial discussion was held on the banks of a tiny trout-filled stream in the central Colorado wilderness. I remember sitting there thinking that the small nylon pouch hanging from a lanyard around my neck, safety-pinned to my shirt, was a beginning, but that we could design something that could do so much more.  Eric had been on his own quest for such a pack, so we put our heads together and started talking.

After countless trail miles, dozens of campfire discussions, and lots of trout later…fast forward to deep winter in February 2012. Eric and I had skied up a snowed-in two-track, hauling pulks loaded down for a few days of winter camping. While we sat around the wood stove, sipping Jamesons and listening to snow sift onto the tent, we decided to kick the Fishin’ Buddy project into high gear. What you see here is the product of all of that planning, design, and on-the-water testing. We think we have a fishing pack that has everything you need and nothing you don’t.

The Fishin' Buddy is completely compatable with any full-sized backpack or day pack.  Shown here with a Kifaru Spike Camp backpack (2,300 c.i.).


Worn as a chest pack, the cross harness is very secure.


The Fishin' Buddy is a very versatile pack.  Show here worn as a lumbar pack, using the integrated, hidden waist belt.


A fold-out hook-and-loop panel on the front of the pack makes organizing flies and fly boxes easy.  It's completely adjustable with the paracord/cord lock system.  The front compartment also features mesh tippet pockets and handy, zippered storage.  The inside front panel is show here with a Simms Patch fly box, which can be mounted inside or on the hook-and-loop fly patch on the outside of the pack.



The roomy main compartment can hold a variety of larger items such as fly boxes, line spools, tippet, camera, small water bottle, snacks, etc.  Both compartments feature waterproof zippers.




Although not designed specifically for tenkara anglers, the design of the pack is very "tenkara-friendly".  Two loops on the bottom of the pack allow up to two tenkara rods to be stowed and carried there while hiking.  This is especially handy when fishing on the go while carrying a backpack.  Simply pull your rod off the bottom of the pack, deploy it, and start fishing!  Shown with my 11' Iwana and 13'6" Amago, both produced by Tenkara USA. There's also a bungee cord on the bottom so you can stash a shell or windshirt.



Streamside tools are easily attached to the front of the pack, using the military-inspired MOLLE webbing.  This keeps them handy, and doesn't poke holes in the fabric of the pack.  A handy hook-and-loop fly patch on the front easily accomodates a ripple foam fly patch or a fly box like my Simms.

Mountain Ridge Gear will have these versatile, lightweight, minimalist packs up on their website in the next few days.  They're made right here in Colorado, USA, by a veteran-owned small business.  As co-designer, I realize I'm biased, but I think this one's a winner!

Dimensions (stuffed):  10.75" x 6" x 7"
Capacity:  420 cubic inches
Weight (includes cross harness and waist belt):  1 pound
Retail Price:  Check Mountain Ridge Gear's website soon!



Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Ah, Spring!

Sitting here in bed this evening, listening to Yes perform Roundabout on Spotify, I took some time to reflect on just how very lucky I am.  I'm guilty, as I think we all are, of getting so wrapped up in work and daily minutia that I don't take time to count my blessings.  I have rewarding work, an awesome family, beautiful daughters, and a wife who lets me go out and chase wild trout in even wilder country on a regular basis.  I'm also very fortunate to have a wonderful river and canyons holding tiny streams closeby.  Little "blue lines" as Tom Reed would say.  And lastly, I have spring!

Spring.  That time of year around these parts when the first hummingbird shows up at the lonely feeder outside the kitchen window.  A time when it's 25 at night and 70 by noon.  You have to run the heater in your truck in the morning, and the air conditioner on the way home from work.  A time of phenomenal caddis hatches on the Arkansas River.  A time when those caddis and the blue-winged olives share the same air above the water.  I think, perhaps, that the time between my last day of backcountry skiing and Memorial Day is one of my favorite times of the year to fish.  What about you?