Bag for dSRL while wading and fishing

[Tom Hazelton]

First post – long time lurker. Recently got a D7000 for taking fishing and nature pictures.

In the past I used a Simms camera dry bag for carrying my P&S, and then hung the camera around my neck when I wanted quick access and felt secure in my footing (tucked in my wader tops for fishing). But the D7000 is way too big for the Simms bag.

So I’m looking at the Smithfly Digi-Pouch (functionally, a dSLR-sized version of the Simms bag) to use the same way.

Before I order it I thought I’d ask how do you guys carry your cameras and lenses when you’re walk-in fishing. It’s of course the classic trade-off between quick access but available protection.

Thanks in advance — Tom

[Zach Matthews]

Tom –

The D7000 doesn’t need as much protection as you might think. You essentially just want to avoid full submersion, and even that is recoverable. I have dunked a D200 with a Nikkor lens on it and both went on to long and happy careers – I am still using that lens every day.

I personally carry my gear in a water resistant backpack. It’s not too hard to sling it around and fish it out if I need to take some shots, and it gives me both more capacity for other things and a reasonable time to fish myself out and get the camera to a dry spot if I take a spill.

I am not a huge fan of camera-only sleeves. They end up just making the camera bulkier without providing a lot of additional protection, in my opinion. I’d look at the Patagonia waterproof backpack series probably.

Zach

[Brett Colvin]

Hi Tom,

At times I use a Lowepro Dryzone backpack but it kind of depends on the likelihood of heavy rain or how treacherous the wading is expected to be.

The Simms Dry Creek hip pack might be an option for you as well.

Frankly, these days I just carry my camera buck naked on something like a CarrySpeed Strap:

Carry Speed Camera Strap Link

Years ago I used to worry quite a bit about hauling a naked SLR out on the river, but after trying a lot of impractical solutions I finally just decided to insure my camera (which is very reasonable through your homeowner’s/renter’s insurance provider) and became mentally OK with the fact that I may dunk it someday and have to pay the deductible.

[Tom Hazelton]

Thanks, guys, for the suggestions. I guess it will just take me a while to get used to not babying the D7K… other than a car or a diamond, it’s the most money I’ve ever spent on anything. Been meaning to look into the insurance aspect just for peace of mind.

The Orvis Gale Force sling pack looks interesting — a friend has one I’m going to check out.

I would have to come up with some kind of padding for the camera/lenses while it’s in the pack. I’ll also look at the Patagucci offerings.

My only concern with slinging it over my neck with something like that speed strap is that between wader suspenders and fishing pack I’ve already got a lot of straps going on. This will undoubtedly take some experimentation.

[Tom Hazelton]

Gents,

I picked up an Orvis Gale Force Sling Pack and put it to a pretty good test on a rainy weekend of day and night fishing. It rolled around in the bottom of an aluminum canoe in 1-3″ of muddy water with my camera, phone, keys, etc. in it and stayed plenty dry. Its long-term durability is the only thing that remains to be seen — it is very lightweight and this gives the impression of thin fabric and straps. We shall see. I’ll be very careful with sharp metal parts/tools.

http://www.orvis.com/store/product.aspx?pf_id=4h1p

For padding, I purchased this insert:

…and it fits perfectly inside the Gale Force Sling and holds the camera snugly. It won’t hold the D7K and a lens like the picture shows, but it will hold the camera and some other small items (I have a pair of filters, a lenspen, and a small towel in there). As a bonus this insert fits perfectly in a Maxpedition Jumbo Fatboy pack (which I already owned) so now I have a padded EDC camera bag.

Access is easy when wearing on the back or in the boat once you get used to how the water-resistant zippers feel. There’s plenty of room for a couple fly boxes, a lunch, or a jacket in there too, but they have to sit on top of the camera.

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