Fishpond Gear Review: Commerce with a Conscience

A reel whirs, a rod whips. Line unravels and retracts. A trout sizes up a Copper John, chomps down and fights for its life.  All is well as the angler carefully removes the hook, salutes the fish’s speckled beauty and releases it back to the river.  

Fly-fishing is cyclical well beyond catch and release practices. To enjoy this diversion for decades to come, anglers must support the stewardship of streams, oceans, lakes and rivers. 

Fishpond’s latest line, Cyclepond, is quite literally the net result of an angler’s desire for both quality and sustainability. Commercial fishing nets, either recycled or discarded by large-scale operations, are woven into the nylon fabric of this Fishpond gear.

Active Junky put this Cyclepond equipment to the test, looking for quality to match the sustainable mindset behind the line.

Yellowstone Wader/Duffle Bag: Pack It All

Fishpond Yellowstone Wader/Duffel Bag Active Junky hauled this wader bag all over Colorado; Maroon Creek, the Frying Pan, the Roaring Fork, you name it. A spacious main compartment stores vest, belt, jacket, fly boxes and other essentials. The well-designed, mesh-lined wader compartment houses both waders and small net. “The foot pad is essential,” said one Active Junky tester, giving props to the fold-out, welcome mat-style changing pad. “And the build quality is great.” 

After months of lugging the duffle from river to stream and home again, testers offered two suggestions; 1) a separate boot compartment would be ideal and b) rod straps 1” longer would improve functionality. Minor tweaks aside, Yellowstone is a tremendous addition to the angler’s arsenal, especially considering the sustainable nature of the burly nylon fabric. 

Best For: Packing for fishing trips, keeping your gear dry

Encampment Lumbar Pack: Versatility in Action

Fishpond Encampment Lumbar Pack While the main compartment holds your fly box, two beers stay close in the mesh side pockets. Up front, a quick-access zippered pocket organizes extra tippets and snacks. Simple yet rugged (due to the recycled net nylon), Encampment is bolstered by significant padding, making it one of the most comfortable lumbar bags we’ve ever tested. Versatile as well, ribbed padding curves around the waist for hip, back or front access; an included strap promotes a more casual, sling-over-the-shoulder style. 

Best For: Summer days, carrying 1-2 fly boxes and 2 beers

Fishpond Accessories: Snip it, Whip it and Toss It

Though not part of the Cyclepond collection, these three Fishpond accessories bring convenience to streambeds and banks.

Barracuda Aluminum Clipper: More Snip, Less Stress

Fishpond Barracuda Aluminum Clipper Tired of your old nail clippers? Upgrade to the Barracuda, a sleek, tubular, lighter-sized tool. A jump up in price from commodity clippers, the Fishpond version comes with a sharp hook eye tool and a replaceable stainless steel blade. Lightweight and easy to use, Barracuda’s mighty jaws snap through thick leader and braided line with ease.

Best For: Investing in a quality blade

Swivel Retractor: Coiled for Action

Fishpond Swivel Retractor

Don’t let your clippers sink into the muck of a beaver pond. Snap the Swivel Retractor onto vest or pack, trusting the locking mechanism won’t fail and pop off. Unlike cheaper, cord-based models, the coil is virtually impossible to tangle yet quickly snaps back into place. 

Best For: Pairing with the Barracuda Clipper for reliable retraction

Piopod Microtrash Container: Leave No Waste

Fishpond Piopod Microtrash Container Starting at: $11.92

Complementing the Cyclepond collection, Piopod aims to keep our rivers clean. A tiny trashcan that loops onto lanyards or sits in the beer holder of your lumbar pack, the Piopod collects line and tippet through a triangular opening designed to keep trash from escaping.  

Best For: Collecting stray line, snipped tippet