Waterproof/resistant camera bag for flyfishing

[mike b.]

I’m looking for feedback on how you carry your DLSR while flyfishing.

[Buzz Bryson]

Plenty of choices.

[Steve K.]

Mike,

Not a sling type….but I really like my Aquapac daypack. It is a roll-top design and works great for carrying your camera, a jacket, water bottle and lunch.

http://www.aquapac.net/usstore/waterproof-br-backpack-2462-0.html

I used it in AK this summer and it got rained on and even dunked once. It was a lifesaver.

[Tim Angeli]

Mike,

I went through nearly the same situation a while back.

[brian aherne]

I just recieved a Camera Armor Seattle Solo dry bag for christmas so i will let you know how it goes. It will only hold an SLR with a Lens attached and not much more. It has one of the red roll top dry bags fitted inside what looks like a regular single SLR bag.

It is something else to look at if you want a reasonably small bag just for the camera.

[anonymous]

I’m also a casual photographer and found that keeping an SLR safe and dry often made it difficult to get to when the photo opportunity was available for only a few seconds.

[Aaron Christensen]

That Camera Armor Seattle bag looks like the closest thing to a solution I have ever seen.

For hobbyists, another option is to keep an older DSLR for rugged terrain.  I keep my old D70 for this purpose but use my better gear in more forgiving environments.  Admittedly, my new camera is more rugged, and has a better sensor, but I still can’t bring myself to taking it into rough conditions.  I would think differently if the trip was more about photos than it was about fishing.

Here is a shot I took with my older (spare) D70.  This was between the 3rd and 4th falls on this particular stream, as I recall:

It takes a rope to get to the spot, after a few miles of hiking.  Tough to manage a fly rod getting up there.  Having a camera makes it just a little bit harder.  The newer camera would have been better, but I am too nervous to risk it.

That is my friend Doc in the photo.  He is mellowing some with age, after a life of outdoor adventure sports.  However, he is still game for types of outdoor recreation that most will never experience.  

[mike b.]

Thanks for the feedback…that Camera Armor bag does look interesting.

Another, related question.

[Adam McDowell]

Thanks for the feedback…that Camera Armor bag does look interesting.

Another, related question.  I would also like to get a hard pelican case, but I would like to use the smallest one that would work for my T1i and a extra lens.  Any experience with a favorite size pelican case?

Thanks

a 1400 should be fine. If you want to get something that you won’t have to upgrade for a while then go with the 1504 with padded dividers

[Steve K.]

Ditto 1400.

That’s my 1400 on the left side of photo. TThe 1450 is on the right. Due to perspective, the 1400 looks about the same size as the 1450 but in fact is slightly smaller.

Hope this helps.

[Brett Colvin]

I’ll mention a few ideas.

[ch9679]The Lowepro DryZone series is worth looking at.

[malcolm anderson]

patagonia stormfront pack (http://www.patagonia.com/eu/enGB/product/patagonia-stormfront-waterproof-pack?p=49152-0-950)

coupled with the pockets removed from their vest (http://www.patagonia.com/eu/enGB/product/patagonia-pack-fly-fishing-vest?p=81896-0-386)

using some dividers from local store to make bag internals into the shape I need.

works well for me.

[mike b.]

Thanks again for the great info!

[Adam McDowell]

Thanks again for the great info!  I really liked seeing those Pelican cases.

Anyone used the 1300?  I know it is small, but I’m looking for something compact for the Kayak.  Just going to put my camera, and maybe one extra lens in it for now.  I’m intrigued by that size…

I used a 1200 for a Nikon D40 w/17-135 lens and it was snug depth wise but a great size for travel. the 1300 would probably be fine for a rebel with a lens attached

[mike b.]

Thanks again for all of the suggestions.

[Loren E.]

I love the design of the lowepro dryzone rover from what I see online, but am curious just how big it is? I am hoping normal day pack size and not borderline backpacking pack size? I am 5″10 and want a reasonable sized day pack that won’t feel like huge overkill for a body, 3 lenses, a few fly boxes, other fishing gear, lunch, water, and a small raincoat.

Any insight from one of you guys who have it? Thanks!

[travis_reynolds]

Mike,

I also wear a Fishpond pack, and inside of it I stuff a Seal Line Seal Pak.  It is a roll top bag, that fits almost perfectly inside my Fishpond.  It was tight for my D40 and 18-50 f/2.8 Sigma, but still worked fine.  That is quite a bulky lens, so depending on what lens you will be carrying will determine how much space you have.  I have been doing it this way for two years now without any troubles.  If I find that I need to stuff additional items in my fishpond for a longer day on the water, I will take the Seal Pak out and strap it around my waist and wear it on my side in addition to the Fishpond.  

Edit:
Oops, just saw that you have already made your purchase.

[mike b.]

Travis, good idea!

[Zach Matthews]

Mike,

After reading several threads on this and searching around myself I have ended up with three or four different packs depending on what I am doing. I wrote a short review of my solutions here http://www.scottdonaghe.com/?p=470

[angus drummond]

i’ve used the lowepro rover for about 2 years.

[Author]

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