Fish Alaska Editors test the best bags for Alaska fishing. From dry bags to camera bags, duffles to rod tubes here’s what we currently recommend to pack for your adventures. These items are what we selected after testing a gamut of bags, packs and luggage last year and have broken down to the best bags for Alaska fishing for 2018.
LowePro DryZone 200
www.lowepro.com
This waterproof pack is an awesome solution for the traveling photographer. It is tough, completely waterproof and will hold several SLR bodies and lenses. The pack is sturdy and comfortable to wear and features several outside pockets for additional storage.
Sealline Discovery Deck Dry Bag
www.seallinegear.com
We tested the 50 Liter model and liked it. It sports a comfortable carry strap and multiple lash-down points. One of the features we especially like is the PurgeAir valve, which allows you to get the air out when sealing the bag. It is sturdily built and withstood our less-than-gentle testing approach. It comes in multiple colors and four sizes.
Simms Bounty Hunter 6 Spey Rod Cannon
www.simmsfishing.com
This is a big rod tube designed to carry a full quiver of Spey or switch rods. The product info says it can carry up to six four-piece, 15-foot rods. That’s enough for yours and your buddy’s in most cases. It’s sturdy so you don’t need to worry about your rods getting broken. It also has a removable, round reel case that fits neatly in the top. The case is covered with heavy fabric and it has an adjustable shoulder strap for ease of carry. A built-in luggage tag and locking zippers add security to the case. Our tester took this case on his recent Naknek River rainbow trip and says he put a total of seven rods in it—five Spey rods up to 13 feet, four inches, and two switch rods.
Carhartt Legacy Women’s East West Tote
www.carhartt.com
This water-repellent women’s tote was a big hit with our female field-testers this season, as it’s large interior allowed for plenty of storage, while interior panels with a zippered pocket offered excellent organization. Two exterior pockets allow quick access to essential items, and the Rain Defender durable water-repellency kept things dry.
Filson Medium Field Duffle
www.filson.com
When it came to this duffle, less was definitely more, and our tester enjoyed its simple design and heavy-duty materials. With two stow pockets and fully nylon-lined water-repellent fabric, this duffle was comfortable to carry during weekend trips to Fairbanks and Kenai.
LowePro Pro-Roller X200 AW
www.lowepro.com
This is one sweet travel case for the avid photographer. The airline carry-on rolling bag will fit one or two Pro DSLR’s, 6- to 8 lenses and a 17-inch laptop. Contributing Photographer Brian Woobank raved about the design and function of this professional camera bag as he used it in Alaska repeatedly in 2017. In combination with the DryZone 200, Brian was able to effectively transport expensive photography gear starting with a commercial airline and ending up in the remote Alaska wilderness—and then back again.
Sealline 75 Liter Zip Duffle
www.seallinegear.com
Heavy-duty, waterproof vinyl duffle with a beefy, air- and watertight zipper. The 75 Liter size is spacious and provides enough room for a multi-day excursion. The handles are strong and comfortable in the hand and the duffle is long (29 inches) and shallow (10 inches) making it easy to pinpoint items, which can often be difficult in larger, roll-top bags.