Patagonia Stealth Atom Sling Pack: Review
It seems like one of the hardest pieces of fly fishing gear to figure out is your pack. There are a variety of ways to carry your gear for a days’ worth of fishing. Some guys like vests, some guys like backpacks, chest packs, or hip packs, while some prefer a coat with simple large pockets. I have tried almost everything but I think I have finally found the pack that works for me.
Patagonia has a history of building feature rich, durable gear designed to get the job done. The Atom sling pack is exactly that. It’s a compact, over the shoulder bag that rests on the back, but easily slides around to the front for quick access. No need to stop and take the pack off, just release the waste belt and slide it. It is simple and extremely effective pack concept. I have used hip packs that will do the same thing, but nothing compares to the ease of use and nothing is as rich with techie features.
The main zippered compartment is divided into 5 sections. There’s a Velcro divider perfect for a light rain jacket, a hat, or even a perhaps a pistol. Connected to the outside of that divider there are 3 elastic banded mesh pockets about 6 inches wide and 6 inches deep, that could hold some energy bars, or an apple. Then you have the main compartment which is about 3 inches deep, 10 inches long, and tapered from 3-6 inches in width. Attached to the far side of the main area is a 100% waterproof electronics bag, perfect for a camera, phone, or anything else you need to keep dry if you fall in.
Attached to the outside of the main compartment is a zippered fold out workstation. It is divided up the same as the main section, with a large Velcro pocket, 3 elastic banded pockets and a hard sided fold down work bench with built-in foam fly patch. When the pack is pulled to the front, it serves as a great place to store leaders, change out flies, and hold your floatants, split shot, and indicators. The large Velcro pocket is big enough to store a small fly box.
There is also a fabric lined hidden pocket about the size of your hand that sits between the main compartment and your back. It is big enough to hold a second small fly box or similar sized items.
My favorite thing about the pack is the shoulder strap. It’s wide and comfortable, with light padding. The top of the strap is integrated into the pack, and it has 2 quick release buckles attacked to nylon straps on the bottom end, which are fully adjustable to ensure a secure fit on any sized angler. The middle section of the shoulder strap sits across the chest and has an integrated zippered pocket perfect for holding a river plier without worrying about falling on it and getting a puncture wound something I always worry about when carrying a sharp tool and hiking through rivers and boulders.
The outside of the strap has a good collection of gear attachments for zingers, nippers, tippets spools, or floatants. There is also a 4 loop daisy chain strap for attaching bigger items. This is the most comfortable and feature rich shoulder strap that I have seen on a pack of this size.
The final pocket on the bag is an elastic banded water bottle holder that rest on the bottom of the pack. There is an elastic loop as well to go over the mouth of the bottle and prevent it from slipping out while fishing. When the pack is slung around to the front, the water bottle is very easy to access. There is also a D-ring that rest between your shoulder blades perfect for attaching a net.
When you combine all these features, a slim profile, and a modern high tech look with clean lines you are left with one of the BEST daypacks on the market. While it doesn’t have a large carrying capacity, you can easily fit 2 fly boxes, a rain coat, and all the tools you need to fish for the day.
Come on into the shop and get your hands on one, try it on, and don’t try to resist the urge to buy this pack. It’s one of the best tools for a serious angler I have come across in a long time. This, combined with Patagonia’s iron clad guarantee and the company’s commitment to anglers, the environment and you’ve a well round package perfect for a day on the water.
