Best large luggage for fly fishing?
- This topic has 14 replies, 11 voices, and was last updated Dec 8, 2010 at 12:43 pm by
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What large luggage for fly fishing do you guys use?
I mean for traveling to far destinations where you stay multiple weeks.I’m looking for one that copes with:
* Several rod tubes safely inside
* Waders and all
* Sharp looking 🙂
* Smart compartmenting
* With wheels & telescopic handleI have a Orvis Battenkill magnum duffle for 15 years of guiding,been all over the place,needed some stitching,but fits a 38″(6″dia) rod tube in the top compartment,a seperate hard bottom compartment.Also doesn’t have a handy logo that invites thieves.Buy TSA approved locks,use you home insurance for all your goodies.Price is right on Proguide or Elog…
I have 3 large rolling duffels, a Sage, an Orvis and a Simms.
I plan on living forever, so far so good.
That’s a good reminder Mark.
A buddy of mine from New Zealand said he had to throw away some of his clothing and gear because the weight of his luggage went past the 50 lbs mark.The empty weight of a large duffels needs to be taken in consideration too I understand. The fancy ones from Simms, Patagonia and Sage seems to contain lot of construction weight.
Jay,
Overall weight is indeed a potentially high $$$ item, and if the bag starts out weighing 12-15 pounds and up empty, it’s already accounted for 25%+ of the non-penalty weight.
While you should always get the current data on weight limits when fly, especially when flying includes light aircraft, would you seriously cancel a 10 day – 2 weeks fishing trip over a baggage fee? With all of the lodge, guide, meal, clothing cost ETC that you have determined is fair, a $50 baggage fee ends the trip.
Wear your wading boots and heavy jackets/coats on the plane to save some weight. I’ve even thought about wearing my waders as well. The TSA nazis would love that 🙂
I think any of these bags will serve you well. I have three serious suggestions:
1. Make sure your rods tubes fit inside the bag and can be concealed by clothing.
2. Measure the overall dimensions very carefully – with the bag fully extended – as airlines are getting very picky about size and the 50 lb limit. I have an older Orvis bag that is now 2 inches too big!
3. Get a TSA approved lock for the bag. That will give you at least some measure of security.Don’t mean to put a downer on this thread, but with this bedbug infestation I’d travel only with hard-shell luggage.
Luggage is one of the biggest transporters of the bugs.
Randy
Jay Lee,
Most airlines have a 60″ maximum combined size of checked baggage so be sure to take that you take that into consideration unless you plan on paying for over-sized baggage on a regular basis. a good example would be a bag that is 30″ long x 15″ tall by 15″ wide = 60″ total combined size.
typically I go with Zach’s approach. My boat bag with all of the essentials, a dan bailey rod tube with 4-6 rods and then a basic rolling duffel from the Samsonite outlet with overflow stuff.
keep in mind there are a few good practices of the airline industry that might help you:
Southwest does not charge for a checked bag
Airtran does not charge for a checked bag if you upgrade to business
class at the counter (plus you get free beverages!)Airtran will be acquired by Southwest in the spring
Delta will charge you $50 for a checked bag, however, I have never been charged for an oversize (I did not say overweight!) bag after paying the innitial $50 check fee
I cannot speak for American or United
This thread is making me depressed. I retired in April and stopped flying, so on 12/31 will lose my ‘status’ with the major airlines. This will be the first time I’ve every had to pay for checked bags! Ugh!
I never, ever check my reels and camera gear. They go in my boat bag, aka Patagonia Great Divider, which serves as a dry, safe place for them once I’m at the destination. I then carry a basic backpack (my personal item) with a couple 4-piece rods tubs tied to the sides.
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