Best Luggage, Packs, and Cases for Fishing in Alaska
FisheWear Dry Bag, Abstract Char
www.fishewear.com
When we first saw this super-fun, day-use dry bag, we were blown away by the ingenuity. In recent years we have seen some fun colors in the newer dry-bag styles but nothing that stands out the way FisheWear’s new dry bags do. In the Abstract Char pattern that was their first best-selling design, thedry bag goes with the entire ensemble of leggings and neckwear. Thank you for upping the style game for lady anglers, FisheWear!
Simms Dry Creek Duffel XL
www.simmsfishing.com
This massive 164-liter waterproof duffel is right on target for anglers hauling gear to Alaska to keep warm and dry while enjoying a bent rod. It incorporates a roll-top with a top zipper, adding even more waterproof protection to a standard roll-top. At 48 inches wide, it can hold most travel rods, including two-handed fly rods. It features a shoulder strap as well as carry handles and has straps to cinch down cargo and provide external attachment points.
SealLine Urban Waterproof Backpack with Optional Organizer
www.seallinegear.com
This compact, roll-top backpack is the right size for a day adventure, and its padded shoulder straps make it comfortable to wear all day. The organizer is inserted into the pack and gives you a convenient location to store small items such as keys, wallet and phone inside the bag without them falling to the bottom.
Umpqua Tailgater ZS Organizer
www.umpqua.com
Tired of having various fly-fishing items rolling around in the back of your truck? The Tailgaiter ZX Organizer is a great way to haul all that gear to and from the fishing grounds. It is a strap-on organizer that you attach to a large plastic tote. We used a Rubbermaid tote. The straps that hold it on the tote are adjustable, so it will fit a variety of different totes. We can fit waders, float-tube fins, jacket, sonar, extra fly boxes, extra reels and all the other stuff needed for stillwater fishing in the organizer, and like all the Zero Sweep products, this system is well thought-out and makes the ultimate transport and rigging station.
SealLine Waterproof E-Case
www.seallinegear.com
This case is very handy for storing wallet, phone, keys and fishing license when traveling. It’s got a wide mouth for ease of access and a strong zip-style closure to keep out water.
Carhartt Legacy 36-inch Wheeled Gear Bag 
www.carhartt.com
This rugged, large-wheeled duffle bag carries a large volume of gear. It has become a favorite of ours for getting lots of gear to the airport and to its final destination. It sports quality wheels and comfortable,easy-to-use handles and a pull strap. It includes individual zippered chambers for separating gear from clothing. It possesses quality zippers and stitching and is built very sturdily.
Barska Loaded Gear HD-200 Hard Case
www.barska.com
The Loaded Gear HD-200 watertight hard case features a reinforced compact design, which is ideal for storage of fragile and valuable items, such as all the camera equipment we haul into the field. Protecting our gear from shock and moisture damage, this dual-use design works great for storing and transporting items such as optics, tablet computers, handguns, compact cameras and other professional equipment.
Plano A-Series Tackle Backpack
www.planomolding.com
Fish Alaska field testers require backpacks with ample space for gear and tackle storage, and this one sure hits the mark. When we take to the water, being prepared for a range of conditions, presentations, and multiple species is the key to success, and this cavernous pack provided an excellent solution in 2016. It’s comfortable to wear, thanks to a padded back pad and shoulder straps and includes five 3600 Stowaway boxes so that you can carry a wide array of tackle into the field. There’s ample room for storage of other items in the main compartment and the interior contains an organization system with three mesh pockets and a zippered pocket, in addition to the four outside pockets. We fully recommend this pack to the mobile angler as it works well to carry gear, clothes, camera, food and water so that you can be fully ready for a long day of catching fish.
Filson Medium Duffle
www.filson.com
This medium sized duffle from Filson is both stylish and functional. It fits great in the overhead compartment on the airline and is classy walking in your remote Alaskan lodge trip in 2017. It literally should last a lifetime.
Lifeproof FRE Waterproof iPhone 6 Case
www.lifeproof.com
This case protects against the elements very well and we tested that thoroughly in 2016 using the phone as an additional camera. It fell in the water, was dropped, rolled around in the dirt and kicked, as well as survived abuse from four boys from ages 2 to 9. We are impressed.
Umpqua Tongass 5500 Waterproof Gear Bag
www.umpqua.com
The Tongass 5500 waterproof gear bag represents the evolution of the standard roll-top, backpack dry bag. Ideal for float trips, this bag is 90 liters large—easily enough space for a weeklong trip. The roll-top is double-banded to ensure a watertight seal. The fabric is smooth and resistant to tears and abrasions. The padded shoulder straps are adjustable and comfortable, and the web grab-handle near the top is a useful feature. There are four web lash-points on the exterior allowing you to strap additional gear to the outside of the bag.