As Riversmith’s head of product, I spend a lot of time dissecting gear. My job is to figure out what’s working, what isn’t, and what’s missing entirely. With the Travel Pack, we set out to solve a straightforward yet critical problem: how to get all the gear you need for a destination fly fishing trip to arrive safely and in one piece. Even if your expedition duffel doesn’t show, you can still do what you’re there to do. Spoiler alert: we nailed it.
This bag isn’t just a carry-all—it’s a fortress for your fly rods, reels, and essential fishing gear. Plus, it’s roomy enough to stash 2-3 days of clothing and travel essentials. Since its launch in July, questions have naturally arisen about its air-travel compatibility, so let’s address that.
Can I carry it on the plane? The Overhead Bin Dilemma…
The short answer: It depends. Here’s the deal: the Travel Pack is designed to fit in an overhead bin—and it does—on most planes. But here’s the rub: its dimensions (which prioritize functional storage) technically push the limits of many airline regulations. Whether it flies as a carry-on often comes down to the gate agent and their mood that day. For reference, this is how musical instruments or oversized backpacks sometimes fare. Also, I think it’s worth stating here that there are no existing 9'+ 4 pc rod carrying solutions that truly fall within the parameters of “carry-on compliance”, including the rod tube your rod came with! The length is always greater than the max, that being 22 inches for most airlines. Good news, though: even if you’re forced to gate-check the bag, it is still on the plane! And...this bag is built for that! Its durable construction and crushproof compartment shields your rods and reels, and lockable zippers provide added security. You can trust this pack to deliver everything you need to fish without worry.
Real-Life Experience: Smooth Travels
I’ve had the opportunity to travel with this bag on multiple flights recently, and here’s what I can tell you from personal experience:
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Bozeman, Montana:
I took the Travel Pack on United Airlines from Denver, a small plane. The bag, carrying two rods in their socks, fit perfectly in the overhead bin. My Hauler 60, stuffed with other gear, was checked without a second thought and arrived unscathed. On the way home, I checked both bags for an easier airport experience. No drama, no damage.
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Barr Harbor, Maine:
Flying American Airlines to Bangor via PHL was a mixed bag. I boarded late in group 8/basic economy and had to gate-check the Travel Pack. No problem—everything, including my 8-weight fly rod (no case, just a sock), made it safely. On the way back, I flew Delta through LaGuardia. The Travel Pack fit in the tiny regional plane's overhead bin like it was custom-built for it; and the second leg, I carried it on with no issues. If you’re interested in seeing a video of how and what I packed for that trip, click this link.
Don’t just take my word for it—here’s what customers are saying straight from our website. These reviews give both sides of the carry-on debate and show how the bag performs in real-world use:
Andy Reynolds
"Great Bag - Great Company."
"I packed everything I needed for a multi-day trip: wading boots (size 11), two 4-piece 8wt rods, reels, waders, jacket, flies, clothes, and toiletries. Out of four flights, only one required a gate check, and even then, the bag handled TSA and airline abuse like a champ. It’s comfortable, organized, and perfect for traveling anglers. Highly recommend!"
John Shields
"High quality product with solid construction."
"This is an excellent 3-day bag for tropical or wet-wading trips. While it fits rods, lightweight clothes, and essentials, it doesn’t accommodate boots and waders together. United didn’t accept it as a carry-on, so I gate-checked it, and everything arrived safely. It’s a great bag when used for the right trips."
Alex Elkins
" Now my go-to travel bag!"
"I recently traveled to Louisiana for a Redfish trip, and I was determined to only have one carry-on bag. Enter the Riversmith Travel Pack! Over the course of my trip I took four flights, and I was never questioned about the size or shape of the bag! I was shocked at the capacity and comfort of the Travel Pack. I had multiple rods, reels, sunglasses, a down vest, a rain jacket, a laptop, and a camera kit in the bag and never once was it uncomfortable on my back. Without question, the Riversmith Travel Pack is now my go-to travel bag."
There you have it—practical feedback from anglers who’ve put this bag to the test.
It’s All About the Destination
The Riversmith Travel Pack isn’t just a bag; it’s the insurance policy you didn’t know you needed —because nothing ruins a fishing adventure faster than missing gear. This bag has one job: to protect your gear and get it where it needs to go, no matter what. So, whether you’re chasing trout in Montana or stripers in Maine, you can stay focused on what matters: catching fish.
Bottom line?
When it comes to your gear, what matters most isn’t whether your bag is allowed in the overhead bin—it’s whether it shows up at your destination and is ready for action. Can it handle cranky gate agents, tiny overhead bins, or that one baggage handler who hurls bags like they’re in a shot-put relay? Absolutely. If you care about your gear and getting to the fish, this bag gets it done
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