Umpqua NorthFork Waist Pack

Pros

The bright zipper pulls and ease of sliding them open and closed with one hand.

Practical, well-placed net holder. 

VersiLoops handy for tippet, fly floatant and a few other items.

Cons

It would be practical to add one or two additional interior (zippered) pockets to help stay more organized.

The shoulder strap couldn’t get small enough, so it kept slipping off my shoulder. (I ended up pinning it to my shirt with hemostats to prevent movement while fishing and wading.)

Speaking of the shoulder strap, I’d like to have a spot to attach hemostats and nippers–nicer to have these easily accessible on the front, rather than having to slide the pack around each time.

Pricing

At $89.99, this waist pack is well designed, sleek and a reasonable price, given the number of features.

Craftsmanship

I like the pine color with red/orange highlights–simple, but aesthetically pleasing. I’m sure the lighter color will show signs of well-loved use over the years, but I’m okay with that.

Durability

Bushwhacking was frequent on my trip to both islands of New Zealand, and this pack stood up through the thorny bushes while working to gain visuals on wily trout. I’m tough on gear and don’t think about it too much as I go through my days on the water, so I’m glad this pack could keep up and show no signs of wear.

• Price: $89.99
• Dimensions: 12 x 6 x 4 inches–length (12 inches), width (6 inches), depth (4 inches) 
• Weight: 1.2 pounds (19.2 ounces)
• Materials: 600D polyester shell (water-resistant, lightweight, abrasion-resistant)
• Warranty information: Umpqua warranty

The The NorthFork Pack Collection from Umpqua:

From the manufacturer: “With this collection, we have taken everything we’ve learned about pack design and distilled it into a no-nonsense fishing bag designed by anglers for anglers. We’ve focused on what truly matters: functionality, durability and comfort.

Spacious Main Compartment: Holds up to 4 full-sized fly boxes. Secondary Compartment: Accommodates 2 full-sized fly boxes. Internal Pockets: Organize leaders, tippet, indicators, and more. Net Slot: Easy access slot for your fishing net. External Fly Patch: For quick access and fly drying. Water Bottle Pocket: Fits a full-sized Nalgene bottle securely. Additional Stretch Pockets: Easy-access storage options. Proprietary VersiLoop Accessory Attachments: Compatible with Umpqua's 6pc accessory line.”

Umpqua warranty.

“At Umpqua, we believe we make the finest fishing packs, bags and vests in the world. As a result, we stand behind our fishing packs, bags and vests with a lifetime guarantee. If your Umpqua pack, bag or vest fails due to manufacturer defects during the life of the product, please return it to your local Umpqua dealer, or visit umpqua.com to initiate a repair or replacement. Damage due to ordinary wear and tear, accidents, or improper care may be repaired at a reasonable charge.”

Likely buyers

Hike-in anglers looking for a simple, well-designed and affordable waist pack. Also a practical option for guides hunting the banks with clients. 

Conclusion

Umpqua continues to create simple and effective fishing tools with their line of packs, and the Northfork series is a great example of this product evolution. Simple, yet effective for an organized day on the water with everything you need. We tested the waist pack, but the chest and sling packs are equally well-designed. If you’re into a waist pack, we’d recommend this one based on its simplicity, price, durability and aesthetics.

Find the Umpqua NorthFork Waist Pack with our trusted partners:

• Anglers All Fly Shop & Boathouse
• Madison River Fishing Company
• Yellow Dog Flyfishing