William & Joseph Back Country Pack
By Scott Clayton

Solitude and fly fishing at one time may have been synonymous but when was the last time you were alone on your local water? If it was recently, count yourself lucky. If not you've probably at least thought about seeking out lesser known spots. Finding secret pools hidden deep in the backcountry can be almost as satisfying as fly fishing itself.

Whether you enjoy extended periods on the water or you're into getting away from the crowds, no doubt you've faced the dilemma of how to carry enough gear to make it through the day. It gets more challenging when you start your search for a pack that's not too big and not too small. There are tons of packs on the market today but very few of them are built with the fly fisher in mind.

William & Joseph Outfitters is a small company founded by people whose roots are in building mountaineering packs. They found that carrying fly-fishing equipment into remote destinations is a good way to test the packs they build. They've combined their love of fly fishing with their mountaineering pack building experience to produce a product line using cutting edge technology designed specifically for the fly fisher.

The Back Country Pack is the 2700 cubic inch workhorse in the William & Joseph product line. It has a full aluminum internal frame, molded foam suspension, and Kevlar reinforced stress points. The glove grabber zipper pulls are beefy and easy to use whether your hands are wet or you're wearing gloves. The main pack houses a single pocket where you get to the storage space via the top and front. The front zipper allows access to the main pocket without having to remove the pack. Just loosen the shoulder straps, spin the pack around in front of you where it sits nearly horizontal on your hips; now unzip the u-shaped front zipper to expose the inside of the pack. The most noticeable fly-fishing specific feature is the removable rear pocket with dual rod tubes attached. The rod tubes are a snug 38" long accommodating 9 foot 3 or 4-piece rods with reels attached. The pack has full hydration capabilities (water bladder is an option). The Back Country carries an unconditional lifetime warranty. No matter whose fault it is, they'll fix it for free, forever, as long as it is repairable.

The Back Country pack holds plenty of gear allowing for extended day hikes. I've easily stuffed my neoprene waders, wading boots, rain gear, lunch (including a drink), my chest pack and 2 fly rods inside this pack and still had room to spare. For those backcountry stillwater adventures you can hang a float tube off the rod tubes on the removable rear pocket. On the way home, if your waders are wet and you don't want to pack them inside, you can loosen the straps holding the rear pocket making a great place to stash those wet waders on the outside of the pack.

The dual rod tubes on the removable rear pocket are awesome. I tried loading my 9'6" 3-piece Sage SP but it was just a smidgen too big; I probably could have forced it in but I was too afraid of damaging the tip to go for it. I didn't have any problems with 3 or 4-piece 9 foot rods. The rod tubes extend just a few inches above my head (while wearing the pack) making it easy to maneuver through dense forest or low hanging branches without worrying about snapping a rod. The zipper on the rod tubes occasionally works itself loose after hiking and fishing. You'll want to periodically check that to make sure your rod doesn't fall out.

Unless you're an accomplished minimalist I don't recommend the Back Country for overnight trips, there's just not enough room for a sleeping bag and other essentials. On a 4-day trip in the High Uinta Mountains I put the removable rear pocket (with the rod tubes attached) on a larger pack and that setup worked great.

One thing that is a little disappointing is the absence of exterior side pockets. This would allow you to carry any rod tube, regardless of length.

The pack fits great; the hip belt and shoulder straps are very comfortable and easy to adjust. Even on days when I'm not hiking several miles before fishing I still wear this pack all day. I usually carry rain gear, lunch and an extra rod; in the spring and fall I have plenty of room for layering as well. Casting all day with a pack on can get a little tiring, especially for the back, but it's worth it not having to hike back to my vehicle for lunch or rain gear.

The wide zipper on top makes packing a breeze. While on the water the front access is a bonus if you need to get inside the pack.

I wore the Back Country one day and never had a problem with water getting inside the pack. I must have been wading shallow, I know the bottom of the pack was in the water but not for very long I guess. On another trip I spent most of the day in waist deep water and the contents got soaked. Since then I always place the contents in a plastic garbage bag inside the pack and everything has stayed nice and dry.

Summary:
The Back Country comfortably tackles extended day hikes. I even wear it while fishing (with a minimal load). The dual rod tube pocket is perfect for safely and securely carrying two 9 foot (or less) 3 or 4-piece fly rods. The construction is solid, plus it carries an unconditional lifetime warranty. If you need to carry more than a vest will hold the Back Country is the way to do it.

Specs:
Retail Price (US): $169
Volume: 2700 cubic inches
Colors: Houndstooth Green, Sienna, Plum, and Mallard
Sizes: Medium and Large

Scott Clayton is the Fly Fishing Editor at GearReview.com.

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