Field Mag may receive a minor commission from purchases made via affiliate links.
While immensely popular in the Gorpified world of fashion and general outdoors, collaborations are far from a typical occurrence in fly fishing. So imagine my surprise when news arrived that Pennsylvania fly shop Housefly—founded by friends of Field Mag and based just a few hours north of my house in Philadelphia—and longtime Seattle outfitter Filson were working together on some limited-edition gear. Out today, 1 May 2025, the Filson x Housefly collaboration introduces seven apparel and accessory designs fit for the stream. Now available direct from Filson online and at an opening weekend popup at the NYC Filson flaship shop this weekend.
The most exciting piece in the capsule collection is the new Ranger Waistpack, an updated version of Filson's hip pack revised using feedback from the Housefly crew. Fellow feather flingers will appreciate the tin cloth pack can fit a decently sized fly box and has plenty of pockets for organizing smaller pieces of tackle. The detachable shearing patch on the hip strap is another highlight, offering a place to store soaked flies as they dry. If you do find yourself in a serious deluge, the bag also has a deployable rain cover, which packs down into a hidden pocket when not in use.
Graphic tees are basically an obligation in most collabs, but given Housefly co-owner Dan Santoro's background as a tattoo artist, they make a lot of sense here. Other wearables include a pair of 50+ UPF quick-dry pants for wet wading, a lodge-worthy button-up with a printed creek scene, and a handsome water-resistant rain poncho. Not to mention a classic long bill cap. I like the pale green chartreuse embroidery logo hits and the military-inspired garment labels, which which help separate the new pieces from mainline Filson offerings.
Generally speaking, traditional fly fishing gear has been almost exclusively developed with performance (and rich, boring, old white dudes) in mind. Newer, more modern items are surely more accurate, lighter, and easier to use, but rarely all that attractive.
As fly fishing goes the route of rock climbing, picking up more and more young, aesthetic-driven, city-dwelling participants by the season, there's a good case to be made for options that offer more style and appeal to a younger, more diverse audience. Though modest in its scope, the Filson x Housefly collab indicates some folks actually are paying attention... Oh wouldn't it be nice to have a choice of what to wear to the river beyond a tan kit or a gray one?
Published 05-01-2025
