Thank you everyone for the comments! This will be our second annual Q trip this September and the first one we brought too much stuff. I'm trying to get down to the double portage instead of triple. I love my fishing gear and brought too much, considering I only lost one lure last year.
I'm going to look at the day packs as an option before I jump. The not being able to see, if strapped on the front is certainly an issue, especially given my bifocal glasses!