Fly Fishing Gear | Settling the Debate - Is a Waterproof Bag Worth the Extra Cost?

Simms Waterproof Dry Creek Z Hip Pack

After trying a number of waterproof hip packs, I'm partial to the Simms Dry Creek Z Hip Pack. It's roomy, built extra tough, and the zipper, which is the keystone for waterproofing, is no joke. Simms put a lot of research and development into designing a zipper that keeps water out.

For a typical day on the water, I find it to be the right size. It is big enough to carry what I need and not have to double up with a backpack. It has a capacity of 8L, which is roomy but not so much so that it's uncomfortable. 

My Fly Fishing EDC for the Water 

- What Goes in My Hip Pack

• A water bottle, sandwich, Snickers Bar.
• A spare spool for my fly reel
• Cell phone
• 2 tippet spools
• A leader wallet
• My personal wallet
• 3 fly boxes
• Fly fishing tools
• Sometimes a small camera or GoPro
• Small first aid kit

On the outside I use the tactical lash points to carry:

• A Mono-Master waste line holder for used leaders and tippets (or fishing line I find left on the ground)
• A Lid Rig Flywheel

Fly Fishing's Only Constant Is Water

This bag isn't "protection against water"; it is 100% waterproof-submersible protection. When you close the zipper this bag is sealed tight, water ain't gettin in. Wading or fly fishing in the rain, it all stays dry. 

A Pain in the Back

The waist belt is extra wide and can be removed from the hip pack. It's not marketed this way, but I found the belt to be wide enough and sturdy enough to be used as a back support wading belt if you find yourself needing one in a pinch. 

Customize It for Your Fly Fishing Needs

Inside the pack is a stretch mesh storage pocket that I use for fly fishing tools that I want "right now" instead of digging around for them. On the front is another pocket that is also waterproof, plus a loop and hook patch so you can customize the bag for function or style.

Tactical Webbing and Lash Points

On the belt is a grid of webbing to attach tools, plus a small pocket (not waterproof). 

On the bottom of the pack are two more tactical lash points, and near the opening of the bag are two D-rings. This hip pack gives you a lot of options for customization to your specifications. 

Simple and Straigtforward 

The Simms Dry Creek Z Hip Pack is a straightforward, functional, waterproof hip pack that does what it's supposed to do: keep whatever you put in it dry. I've ruined my share of cell phones and lenses because I was too stubborn to give a waterproof pack a chance. Now I know and won't be making that mistake again. It's funny, my dad had a favorite saying as I was growing up, "A hard head makes for a soft behind." KB

“The gods do not deduct from man’s allotted span the hours spent in fishing.” - Herbert Hoover

^{Some of the gear reviewed in this article was provided to me at no cost for evaluation. The views and assessments presented are entirely my own.}