In the heart of trout country here in Basalt, Colorado, our good friend Russ Miller from Umpqua Feather Merchants stopped by our studio to give us the full breakdown on the all-new Northfork packs. Not only did we learn more about the packs, but we also had the chance to put all three to the test on our home water and embark on a little R&D wade trip.
Let’s face it, there’s a plethora of packs on the market that look aesthetically pleasing but lack usability and functionality–and to get to the purchase point of buying a fishing pack, it can be a challenge. However, some packs are specifically tailored for occasions, making them simple to use on the water and equipped with necessary fishing additions, and the Northfork collection accomplishes just that.
However, we understand that different bags work for different occasions. For example, each bag can suit a particular style of fishing–and with this lineup and its relevance to the market, we’ve only spent one day on the water with the Northfork collection. Rather than a full-on gear review, we wanted to highlight the Northfork packs and introduce this as a “first look,” including specs, little nitty-gritty components we found, initial impressions, and our intentions on why we want to put these to the test for different suits of fishing.
The Breakdown: The Northfork Collection
Introduced here in April 2024, the Northfork collection is offered in three styles: a waist pack, sling, and chest pack. With this collection, Umpqua has distilled everything they’ve learned over four generations of pack design into a no-nonsense fishing bag designed by anglers for anglers. With functionality, durability, and comfort in mind, we delved deeper into these packs and tested them on the river.
The Nitty Gritty:
With all three packs being five liters in size, they share many of the same features but are offered in designs that fit your fishing program and are convenient for you. The Northfork collection incorporates the technicalities engineered in the past three generations, where features have been intentionally hidden to create “zero-sweep” bags with high-level functionality for anglers seeking the best day on the water.
At the forefront of these packs is the signature fly patch and working station, complemented by convenient tabs for zinger retractors, ensuring quick access to essential gear. The VersiLoop system, strategically placed on each pack, allows for easy customization with a range of compatible Umpqua accessories.
Inside, the front storage pocket offers ample internal organization without sacrificing space, catering to both minimalist anglers and beginners. Comfort is prioritized, with each pack featuring a well-designed back panel for extended wear. Moreover, the waist pack comes with two water bottles, while the sling pack and chest pack are also equipped to keep anglers hydrated throughout the day. Thoughtful details like net slots and stretch pockets further enhance the functionality of the Northfork line.
Initial Impressions – First Look
When delving deeper into these packs, we were particularly intrigued by the simplicity of their design. Each bag features quality zippers, and the fabric feels exceptionally durable. As this was our first day in the field with the collection, we thoroughly appreciated the ingenuity behind the accessory points. For example, the VersiLoop accessory system is meticulously designed, offering easy access to floatant, nippers, and tippet—compared to rummaging through a waist pack to find a spool of 5x. Another notable aspect of this collection is the compartments. The inclusion of a main pocket and a smaller compartment in each bag is well thought out. This allows for larger boxes to be stored in the main pocket, while smaller terminal tackle like leaders, split shot, and indicators can be kept separate.
Since the Northfork collection is brand new to the market, we are eager to see how these bags hold up throughout the season. There are several aspects we are looking forward to testing, including snag points, the capacity of the water bottle pouches, comfort when worn with waders, and performance across different fishing applications. During the summer months, we enjoy exploring alpine lakes, and having consistent design elements, pockets, and accessory attachment points across the entire collection allows us to determine whether the sling, chest, or waist pack is the best option for the alpine pursuit. Not only will we put this to the test up in the high country but also on local floats. Given these bags aren’t fully submersible, and not the most ideal bag for the float fisherman, being a guest on someone’s raft we try to travel light. Insider note: don’t be that guy that brings a big boat box on someones boat, it takes up a lot of space and you don’t want to be that guy. If were guests of someones raft we can attach the waist pack to the seat backs of different watercraft with the attached buckles.
As we roll into the heart of runoff here in Colorado, our hope is that this “first look” gave you some insight into the Northfork collection, provided you with a few specs, and introduced our initial impressions if you’re in the market for a new pack. With the entire collection priced at under $100, these bags are an excellent choice for newcomers to the sport or those seeking to upgrade for wade trips.
Available in pine and cobalt colorways, if you want to learn more about the Northfork Packs from Umpqua, visit your local dealer or online retailers HERE.
