Older Bro has found a hidden gem; a Brook Trout stream somewhere within driving distance of his house, and because I’m a Brookie Groupie, I’m heading that way Saturday for a taste.
For the last two years, I’ve been slow-shopping for a new fishing daypack, and today I tumbled for an Osprey Stratos 24 — a pack I’d suggest shades towards the “technical” instead of the “cargo-ready.”
The Osprey Stratos 24 (the perfect fishing day pack?)
First, some background: Osprey makes a hell of a nice pack.
I own their Aether 60 (a lightweight overnight/weekender backpack), and like low modulus fly rods, the Osprey packs simply fit me.
The Stratos 24 is also a fairly small pack; just big enough for some gear, a lunch, a jacket and maybe a stove for lunch.
It’s not a winter pack — in fact it’s not up to carrying wading boots and waders and gear — but… the comfort.
Ohhh, the comfort.
Like Wearing a Cloud
The Stratos uses a trampoline-style back support; mesh fabric curves away from the frame struts, helping to eliminate the dreaded “soaked back syndrome” that curses hikers.
The trampoline-style back support (they call it Airsupport)
The trampoline support is comfortable and airy, though it’s also a sizable waste of space; the curved stays rob the pack of carrying capacity — especially for bulky items.
Still, the comfort (ohhh, the comfort) is worth the trade, especially given the lovely old Lowe Alpine winter pack waiting in the wings should more capacity be required.
This weekend we’ll test fly the pack alongside the new Brookie stream, and let you know how it carries.
See you on a small Brookie stream, Tom Chandler.
Osprey. Excellent call. LOVE my Atmos.
Mike Sepelak(Quote)
good looking pack I count myself a groupie too…. nothing like a brookie…
I’m starting to thing instead of a pack I need a group of guys to carry stuff on their heads and call me bawana like in the old Stewart Granger movies…..
Marty(Quote)
Oh, you’re a glamper now?
The problem I’m experiencing is that — as I get older — it feels like I’m carrying a group of guys on my head…
Tom Chandler(Quote)
Cool. Literally. I hope it was my email that prompted this purchase, but I’m probably flattering myself. The Stratos was on my list, and I still might go for it, but I picked up a Manta 25 from EMS. There are so many very good packs out there! Some fit and some don’t. And I was almost seduced by the bevy of awesome 45-65L packs out there. But, I started with daypack as my target, so stuck to that. The 10-20L hydration packs and daypacks are tempting, but with the exception of a couple (like the Osprey Talon 22), most of them seem just too darn small for a day out unless the weather is perfect–especially with the possibility of young’ns and their associated “stuff”. YMMV. I ordered a Deuter ACT Trail 32–it’s like a miniaturized big pack–and a Manta 30 (EMS doesn’t carry this one in our local store) from eBags (free shipping both ways…thank you, Zappos) to check those out, too. Looked over the Orvis Safe Passage and the Fishpond Piney Creek, but as much as I want to like chest packs, I just don’t, and that is where both of these (especially the Fishpond) start to gain ground on regular packs–otherwise they are kind of so-so. I plan to fish a half-day with each on a mountain brookie stream before making a decision. One bag I really, really wanted to try, but couldn’t find a used one or a retail outlet was the ultra-simple Cilogear 20L NWD WorkSack. Cool bag, cool company. As soon as I make a decision on one of the other packs, it will show up for sure. Give us a review of the Stratos after a couple of outings. Will this be a dedicated fishpack or ?
cdmoore(Quote)
The fishing packs seemed fairly routine with a few fishing-specific features added on. That’s well and good, except when you’re using the daypack for hikes, and all those bells and whistles just get in the way.
Plus, did I mention the comfort (ohhhh, the comfort)?
I was planning to swoop on this pack for some time, but was waiting on a store credit (I bought local). Seeing it appear just prior to a Brookie hike/trip renewed my faith in fortuitous coincidence…
Tom Chandler(Quote)
Looks like a nice pack! Moments ago, I finished packing the hammock, stove, knife, and dog food (yellow Labs love trout water) into the Talon 44. Osprey sure does make comfortable packs. We’re off to catch little cutthroat trout with the Steffen 3/4. I hope that your trip pans out some nice little brookies. Good luck, Tom!
Jamie(Quote)
Thanks, though you reminded me I haven’t yet made the difficult fly rod choice yet…
Tom Chandler(Quote)
Hi Tom- I’m a new subscriber. I use an Osprey laptop bag for my daily commute, and I love it. Just technical enough to be flexible, but still looks good. Very efficient design, to the point where you have to really evaluate what you carry in it, but sometimes that’s not such a bad thing…
Great blog, by the way. Keep it up!
Rob French(Quote)
I have an Osprey laptop backpack, which is nicely organized and damned comfy — which is nice when you’re wheeling a kid and a bunch of stuff through an airport.
Tom Chandler(Quote)
I am the newest of “brookie groupies”…and loving every minute of it. I have been driving 45 min away for the last 3 yrs to big browns when 15 min up the canyon from me are wonderful brookies! This daypack looks great…I will have to look into it. Thanks for reviewing.
The River Damsel(Quote)