Gear Review Roll-up: YETI Cayo Backpack, Rain Jackets, Freshwater Fly Rods
If you fish and hunt (especially if you do both) enough, you’ll come to realize that a good, water-repelling day pack is one of your most essential pieces of gear.
Epic fly rod testing on the Matukituki River, Southern Alps of New Zealand’s South Island.
YETI Cayo 35L All-weather Backpack
If you fish and hunt (especially if you do both) enough, you’ll come to realize that a good, water-repelling day pack is one of your most essential pieces of gear. It’s your carry-on for flights. It’s also your stash bin for clothing layers and rain gear, as well as snacks, fly boxes and a spare reel for the fishing boat, shells and calls for the waterfowl blind, and so on. It’s the nexus bag that connects you from home base to “out there.” It’s your office in the field or on the water. And trust me, if you’re caught without one, it’s the thing you end up missing most (next to a rain jacket in a torrential downpour).
I have been kicking around with a YETI Panga 28L airtight and waterproof backpack for several years, and really like it. I actually like the air-tight factor because I use it as a pillow sometimes, and I can also make it a cushion to top a folding stool in a duck blind (easier to spring up and make a shot, and way more comfortable and warm). The only problem has been that, even at 28L, it’s kinda cavernous, so when you drop something in the main compartment, it takes some digging through other stuff to find what you’re looking for. Yes, there’s a convenient little pocket to hold a passport and a flap to tuck your laptop in, but digging around for a pen as you approach Customs, or looking for your lip balm is a pain, especially if the dominant main compartment is filled with other stuff.
Enter the YETI Cayo 35L ($300), which has even more space, but seems light years better in terms of practicality and functionality. This all has to do with the two extra zip pockets you access from outside–one on top and another on the side. The top compartment is great for your phone/camera, a snack, or anything else you want to grab on the fly. The side is great for keeping sunscreen, a water bottle, or anything else you don’t want leaking all over everything inside. The inside pockets are more versatile also–it’s easy to find your fly box, a bottle of aspirin, your passport, a book, etc., as most of these pockets are stretchable and segmented. I like that this pack has handles on the top and the side, and if you want to cinch the shoulder straps, they seem to nearly go away.
While Cayo only claims water resistance and not full airtight waterproof performance, I just had one sloshing around on boats in the Sea of Cortez for a week. No problemo. In a few more weeks, I’m taking it duck hunting in northern Saskatchewan, and I’m sure it will do just as well there, in completely different environs.
As for size, I’d say this one pushes the limit–but fits nonetheless–of what you can reliably stuff underneath the airline seat in front of you. I wouldn’t size down 10L to the Cayo 25L unless you knew you weren’t ever going to fill the 35. The straps are sturdy and adjustable and it’s light enough to hike a mile or so quite comfortably. It’s not the kind of backpack I’d wear touring around Paris on a hot summer day (go smaller), but for legitimate outdoor sports adventures, including ski touring, sailing and other small-craft boating, and certainly fishing and hunting, the decision to buy, even at $300, is a layup and an easy call.
You won’t find any better value, smarter design or more reliable, tested performance. At least I haven’t yet. – Kirk Deeter
Jackets
Patagonia Men’s Boulder Fork Rain Jacket ($229). The Boulder Fork Rain Jacket is a minimalist approach to a more feature-heavy river jacket. It only does a few things–keep you dry, pack lightly into a gear bag or backpack (13.7 ounces) and provide a few pockets for gear–but it does them well. The waterproof/breathable 3-layer shell (made without PFAS) has been comfortable and reliable during summer downpours and also provides enough wind and rain staying power when conditions deteriorate. The well-designed, adjustable velcro cuffs prevent drip when casting all day or releasing fish here and there; the waterproof front zipper is a nice touch that keeps water out when you’re wading; the oversized pockets can accommodate a larger fly box and some thoughtful (extra) hand warming room. Like most of Patagonia’s technical jackets, the hem and hood draws are well designed and effective. If you’re looking for a more heavy duty, 4-layer jacket, I would consider the Swiftcurrent Wading Jacket–this is a better option for more rugged conditions. Mote info in the product video. – Andrew Steketee
Simms Men’s Waypoints Rain Jacket ($180). The Simms Waypoints Rain Jacket was designed with a similar intention as the Boulder Fork Rain Jacket: arm anglers with a light weight (11 ounces), packable and breathable fishing shell. Not unlike the Patagonia jacket, the Waypoints Rain shell is largely successful in its mission: incredibly light, can handle most degrees of summer downpours and cinches at all the important anatomical break points (hood, cuffs, hem). The Patagonia jacket has a few superior features–the laminated hood visor, waterproof zipper and roomier pockets–but it’s also $50 more in price. Simms has a long history of making quality outdoor gear and this packable jacket is a solid addition to their lineup. I love this jacket for stuffing in a day-hike backpack or drift boat dry bag for an unpredictable afternoon shower. Although minimal, its ability to pack down, keep water out and breathe are the main selling points. The price is also fair in today’s competitive marketplace. – Andrew Steketee
Rods & Reels
Winston AIR 2 4-piece fly rod: 9-foot 6-inch, 4-weight ($1195). The Winston AIR 2 line is billed as Winston’s “fast action rod with feel,” which is reliably accurate. This longer, 4-weight fly rod (utilizing new NanoParticle technology) is probably a bit long for smaller, Midwestern creeks, where the river canopy is narrower and you need more maneuverability. I used the rod this summer on more wide open South Park, CO rivers and creeks (even lakes), and it’s a versatile weapon for your trout arsenal (light, sensitive and accurate). The length helps with reach and pocket water “dabbing.” I also loved the lighter feel of the 4-weight when fishing single dry flies. The rod can do delicate presentation work, when required, but length also provides some muscle if you stumble into a larger fish. I fished the rod with both the Scientific Anglers Amplitude Textured Trout and RIO Elite Gold fly lines–both performed well and as advertised. If you’re looking for an Winston AIR 2 today, connect with Yellow Dog Flyfishing. This is a high-end fly rod and price point. – Andrew Steketee
Epic Reference 5wt 590G carbon fiber fly rod: 9-foot, 5-weight ($895). Most people associate Epic Fly Rods from New Zealand with fiberglass fly rods via their “FastGlass” models, but they also make superbly constructed carbon fiber rods. We tested the 9-foot, 5-weight (4-piece) in a variety of Colorado river and lake conditions. Rated as “medium-fast” action by the manufacturer, we found the rod to be light, responsive and particularly accurate when performing a number of different fishing scenarios (dries, nymphs, streamers). The rod is definitely a true 5-weight, capable of throwing long lines, if required, or horsing fish out of bank cover. For small stream work, like Colorado’s creeks or the Frying Pan River, it felt a bit overmatched, but out on the bigger Colorado River or a windy lake chasing gulpers, it was right at home, able to handle windier conditions and larger fish. At about ~3 ounces in weight, it also was a pleasure to work all day from the boat from a casting fatigue standpoint. The rod was paired with an Epic 5/6 Backcountry Fly Reel (superbly machined) and an Epic Glassline Weight Forward fly line. The fly rod is on the higher end of the industry price-point continuum, but it’s a superbly crafted fishing tool. Of note, we accidentally broke the tip on a float and the replacement section showed up in ~7 business days (from New Zealand) to remedy the issue. In an industry with mediocre-to-subpar customer service, this level of execution is unheard of. We’re big fans of Epic Fly Rods. – Andrew Steketee
Epic Backcountry Fly Reel. Backcountry Fly Reel 5/6 ($500). It would be hard not to like this large arbor fly reel: it’s light, has super smooth startup inertia, is superbly machined with 6061-T6 aluminum, is anodized for both fresh and saltwater, has a clean and sealed (ceramic) drag with precise settings and the spool removal takes two seconds. It’s a higher end reel and price point, but if you’re looking to gain line quickly (on the water) and care about uber precise drag settings (for big fish or lake settings), this reel is definitely worth the investment. From an aesthetic perspective, the reel has been thoughtfully and skillfully designed, but it also can take a beating. Another well-designed and executed product offering from Epic Fly Rods. – Andrew Steketee
Cool Used Gear
From the new Castback marketplace–no fees and 5% goes to Project Healing Waters.
Fly Rods
Winston IM6 Fly Rod: 8-foot 5-inch, 5-weight / serial: 18900 ($1000).
Winston IM6 Fly Rod: 7-foot 5-inch, 4-weight / serial: 11189 ($600).
Winston IM6 Fly Rod: 9-foot, 7-weight ($600).
Fly Reels
Marryat MR7 Fly Reel: reel in great shape, hardly any wear or scratches ($200).