Fishing

As all keen anglers know, you need the right kit for fishing. Whether you're whiling away the hours on a riverbank, up to your waist in a salmon river, or out on a boat deep sea fishing, it means you're close to, or even in the water.

We've selected a range of waterproof bags best suited to keeping your valuable kit dry. Be it your sandwiches, smart phone or a change of clothes.

All of the bags listed here are rated to IP65, IP66, IP68 or above. IP65 means they're showerproof, they'll keep of the worst of the weather, but if you think they'll get really wet, best to put these waterproof stuff sacks inside a larger duffel or rucksack.

IP66 rating means the bags can handle a quick submersion and, crucially, they float! Ideal for when you're close to water. Just remember to do them up properly. These are generally sealed with a roll top, which you simply pinch together, squash the bag a little to bleed out the air and then roll down three to four times before securing with a buckle.

The waterproof phone cases are rated to IP68, which means they can handle depths up to six metres for up to 60 minutes. These are available in two sizes, small and large. Please check the sizing guide to ensure you buy the one that will fit your smart phone. The dry bag phone cases are secured by Overboard's nifty slide lock system. Simply push the slides together to make a watertight seal. 

Now if you want to make doubly sure your kit stays dry you can’t do better than the Watershed range of bags. These are designed to be 100% waterproof to depths of 300 feet (they’re American) or 91 meters.

How do they achieve this? Their excellent ZipDry® seal. It’s a piece of cake to open and close these bags. You simply cup the seal between each hand, flex your fingers so the seal forms an S shape and then tug the grip tabs and the seal will come open.

Note. Improper opening can damage the seals on these bags. It might sound a little complex, but it gets easier as you practise the technique.

Closing the Watershed bags is even easier. You need to check the seal is clean and lubricated (there’s a sachet of 303 aerospace lube included with each bag, but if you’re ‘in the field’, saliva will do”), then simply snap the closure shut and roll the top over once or twice to form a neat finish and secure with the mega robust buckles.

Whilst the Watershed bags undoubtedly come at a premium, their build quality and the level of waterproofness they offer is second to none.

Fishermen (and women) will appreciate the matt green and black Exped dry bags. As the bright drybags aren’t for everyone. The Exped ones are actually designed for the Swiss military, but they great for anyone who wants more subtle that blends in with nature.