DriftPack | Waterproof Chest Bag System

Introducing the DriftPack by Reel Fly Fishing

DriftPack was born from a very specific problem: fishing South Africa’s rivers where getting wet isn’t a possibility; it’s part of the day. I always say, if you haven’t fallen down, then is it even a good day on the Vaal!

Designed specifically with the Vaal and Orange Rivers in mind, the DriftPack is a completely bespoke, compact chest pack built for the fly fisherman who spends the day wet wading, crossing channels, and occasionally finding him/herself completely underwater. We wanted a chest pack that could handle that environment without becoming bulky, uncomfortable, or getting in the way.

After more than two years of design, refinement, and real-world testing, we believe we’ve created one of the most practical and versatile small fishing packs available. The result is a compact, waterproof and airtight chest pack designed to keep your flies, hooks, tippet and essential gear protected, even when the river wins.

No more opening your fly box after a Vaal River Shuffle (VRS) to find rusty hooks. No more soaked tippet, waterlogged accessories, or wondering what has survived the crossing, especially car keys and cell phones!

Built around how you actually fish

The DriftPack is deliberately compact. It gives you enough space for the essentials without turning your chest into a storage cupboard. Its low-profile design keeps your line of sight clear, stays close to your body while wading, and is light enough that you won’t be thinking about it by the end of a full day on the water.

We’ve also designed the pack around the equipment you actually use:

• Multiple D-ring attachment points for tools and accessories
• Rear neck strap for additional support and stability
• Heavy-duty, double-stitched dedicated D-ring on the neck strap for counter-balancing the front load with your landing net
• Internal pockets and storage to organise essential tackle
• Front panel designed for a magnetic fly patch as well as including a Velcro mounting stack
• Integrated under-bag tippet holder sleeve
• Multiple anchor points for wading staffs, tools and other accessories
• Separate backpack straps, allowing the DriftPack to be attached to compatible waterproof backpacks fitted with D-rings.
• PVC free
• Roughly 2.5L of capacity
• Front storage fits our Half-Jack double-sided fly box perfectly. or two/three slim midi-size single-sided fly boxes
• Can also be fitted to your belt

And because versatility was a major part of the brief, the DriftPack isn’t limited to being a chest pack. It can be configured and carried with a backpack when you need more capacity or want to change how you carry your gear.

The system has also been designed with the future in mind, including compatibility with our upcoming DriftVault waterproof pack, due to arrive in mid-2027.

Built for the river. Designed and tested in South Africa.

The DriftPack is constructed from 420D waterproof TPU-laminated nylon material, with a fully waterproof construction designed to withstand the realities of serious wading and river fishing.

It is not simply another fishing bag with a waterproof fabric; DriftPack was designed from the ground up around one idea:

Take only what you need, keep it protected, and forget you’re wearing it.

 

Dimensions and weight: 

Back section:

• Width – 200mm
• Depth – 65mm
• Height – 140mm

Front section:

• Width – 150mm
• Depth – 50mm
• Height – 110mm

Weight in grams – with chest/waist straps:

• 387 grams

Designed and tested by Reel Fly Fishing in South Africa