I watch a lot of fly fishing videos on the net, and almost all the fly fishermen fish using backpack straps on their backs. I haven't asked any of the guys what's in the backpacks. I will ask that question next time I am finished watching one of their videos. They never show you what they're carrying in the packs, so I am going to speculate what is stashed in them. First off, I would assume a change of clothes for that unexpected slip, resulting in getting soaking wet. Everyone has to eat while fishing your favorite stream, so a snack, a large lunch, and an afternoon snack would be great. If they cook the lunch, then a small burner cooktop would be needed. An array of fly boxes, consisting of dries, nymphs, steamers, terrestrials, wet flies, and eggs, would be needed. If you are fliming the trip, your camera, batteries, chargers, tri-pods, and other accessories that you would need to film the entire trip. The net is strapped to the backpack from the top, with an arm strap and a holster for an extra fly rod in the tube. The reel is already in the pack. Now I may have gone to the extreme here, but I would guess all the items I have mentioned could be stored in one of these packs. Some are quite large, and I notice most of the fisherman never remove them from their back while fishing. A snack or lunch break would be a good time to remove the pack and use it as a pillow for a short nap after lunch. When I find out what all these guys are carrying in their packs, I will share. In the meantime, I will continue to fish the tailrace and even the lake with my lanyard chest pack and a few snacks. Now that is fishing light for an older fly fisherman!!
