fishpond Thunderhead Submersible Waterproof Fly Fishing Sling Pack, Eco Shadowcast Camo Review (2026)

Who needs a submersible sling

This pack fits anglers who wade deep, fish from a boat where a dunk in the water is a real possibility, or simply want the peace of mind of gear that survives a full submersion rather than just splashes and rain. At 13 liters, or 793 cubic inches, it holds enough for a full day of fly boxes, tippet, leaders and a rain layer without being sized for multi day trips. The sling design lets the pack rotate from your back to your front for access, which is useful when wading since you do not need to remove the pack entirely to grab a fly box. The Eco Shadowcast Camo colorway reviewed here is made from fishpond's recycled fabric line, appealing to anglers who prefer gear built from repurposed material where available.

Materials and waterproofing

The pack body is built from 900D TPU coated NewStream fabric, a fabric fishpond makes from recycled single use plastic water bottles, which balances durability with a lower environmental footprint than virgin synthetic fabric. The main compartment closes with a fully waterproof, self healing zipper, the same type of closure used on dry bags, which is what allows the pack to be fully submerged without water reaching the contents. A separate front pocket uses a water resistant, rather than fully waterproof, zipper for quicker access items that do not need full submersion protection. Fully packed the bag measures about 16 by 9 by 7 inches and weighs about 1.8 pounds empty, with a foam shoulder strap and back panel for comfort against the body.

Setup and daily use

A removable, zippered interior pocket helps separate smaller items like leader spools or forceps from the main gear inside, and an integrated net attachment slot keeps a landing net secure and quickly accessible rather than dangling loose. External Hypalon tabs and reinforced cord loops give places to lash on additional tools, a wading staff or a water bottle without needing extra pockets built in. Because the main zipper is fully waterproof rather than a standard zipper, expect it to feel stiffer to open and close than a typical pack, which is the tradeoff for submersion protection. The sling strap includes a workstation area near the front, letting you change flies or retie without needing to set the pack down on a wet bank or in the boat.

How it compares with other sling packs

In the site's sling pack guide this model ranks second out of eight, behind the Orvis Guide Sling, an 18 liter recycled CORDURA pack with a tippet docking station that offers more capacity for guides carrying gear for a full day on the water. The smaller Orvis Fly Fishing Sling Pack at 11 liters scores close behind the Thunderhead, trading some capacity for a lighter carry. Budget focused options from Allen Company and Maxcatch trail further down the list, generally without the fully submersible zipper or recycled fabric construction found on the Thunderhead. For anglers who specifically need submersion protection rather than just water resistance, this pack leads its price tier.

Bottom line

Choose the Thunderhead if you wade deep water, fish from a boat where a dunk is possible, or simply want the security of a fully submersible pack rather than one that is only water resistant. The recycled TPU coated fabric and waterproof main zipper are the standout features, backed by fishpond's reputation for durable pack construction. Casual anglers who mostly fish from the bank in shallow water may not need full submersion protection and could save money with a simpler water resistant sling instead. Guides or anglers who need more capacity for a full day of gear should look at the larger Orvis Guide Sling, which trades some of this pack's compact size for extra liters.

Frequently asked questions