SIMMS new lineup of Headwaters bags have been leaping out of the fly shop and with good reason. There is a lot of smart design and good value packed into these bags.
Simms’ products aren’t usually as much associated with value as $, though you would find a lot of our guides regard their G3 and G4 waders as damn good value given the beating they will take year after year. When you make the Ferrari of waders and wading jackets, a lot of other good stuff gets overlooked.
For example Simms make the only $100 sticky rubber boots on the market and the breathable Blackfoot waders at $139.95 will outperform their competitors in the same pricebracket.
But we were talking bags, and Simms have managed to pack smart design and good pricing into some great gear bags in the Headwaters range.
Headwaters Tackle Bag
Headwaters Tackle Bag ($139.95): The Tackle Bag as carry-on has been the sign of a travelling fly fisher in airports around the globe since the ubiquitous Abel bag hit the market 2 decades ago. The Journal has been through 4 bags from 3 companies in the last 9 years and just about everyone makes one to handle the job of carrying and organising reels, fly boxes, spare leaders and tippet, and all the other odds and sods you might need. They actually make a lot more sense on a boat based guide trip than a vest
From the outside the layout of a hard shell bottom to keep your expensive gear out of the water in jon or drift boats, 4 outside pockets and a big stormflap over the central main compartment, looks pretty standard. The grey nylon outside should take plenty of abuse from coffee, soda, floatant and fish stains. There is also a couple of mounting points on the front pockets for a zinger and nippers, a nice touch when rigging up for the day.
The interior is also a nice light grey for better visibility, with standard tool pockets along the front, one central divider and 2 slash pockets. Another nice touch is the removable heavy duty ziplock pouch for storing keys, phones and anything you don’t want splashed. There is a rain cover and straps for a spare rod tube and lots more as you open up each nook and cranny. There is a lot of bang for you buck in this bag and priced well underneath similar competitors.
Headwaters Gear Bag
HEAD WATERS GEAR BAG $109.95: The Tackle Bag is the best for keeping all your small stuff organised, the Gear Bag is all about waders and clothes.
A nice sized ventilated compartment wet compartment at the bottom. A big dry gear compartment at the top, with a side zippered pocket along oneside. This is a slick bag for carrying waders/boots, plus your fleece, jackets, wader pants etc.
Works great as a carrying system whether you are on a day’s outing to the White, multi-day trips here and elsewhere, or longer fly in trips.
Simms Taco Bag
TACO BAG $29.95: This idea is so simple and smart its a wonder no-one had thought of it before, a wader bag and changing mat all in one. The Taco Bag zips open into a circular mat, and while closed will hold 2 pairs of wader and boots.
