Scierra Large Explorer Bag

I'd been shopping around for a bag to carry my saltwater fly and plugging gear for ages when I came across this bag by Scierra down at Sportfish in Hereford.

It's made from a tough light brown nylon waterproof material with a black rubberised waterproof base 3-inches deep around the bottom to stop water soaking in to the base of the bag if you put it down on wet sand. The fawn coloured webbing straps are 1-inch wide nylon webbing with full-length stitching and strengtheners, and push in nylon snap-lock fittings. You have the choice of a briefcase type webbing carrying handle with foam protective covering to save the hands, or a full-length over-the-shoulder carrying strap with shoulder cushioning. The outside of the bags flap also sports two nylon straps with snap-buckles designed to take your rods or rod tubes. The bag measures 19in x 12in x 9in.

The bag is loaded with pockets. On the outside you have a deep vertical pocket at each end with zip closure, and two more of equal size at the front. These are big enough to take fly reels or medium sized fixed-spools or multipliers. Each pocket has a two-way zip that opens the pocket up to two-thirds of its depth for easy access. Behind the front pockets is a full-length zipper pocket, with another across the back of the bag.

Lift the flap and underneath the flap has a zipper pocket big enough to packets of hooks and line spools. The main compartment is zipped, but opens up to a cavernous 7ins by 14ins. This has enough space to get a 7in x 10in lure box in easily and stack them four high. That's not all! At each end there is a small accessory pocket, plus two smaller pockets inside that capable of taking pliers, scissors etc, stitched in. At the front of this main compartment there are two more nearly full-length zippered pockets, one with six slim accessory pockets stitched inside, plus another full-length zippered pocket at the back of the main compartment. I make that 15 pockets not counting the small stitched in accessory ones. Phew!

What also appealed to me about this bag is that the outside pockets are all cushioned for protection, as is the interior walls of the inner main compartment. You can put your reels in safe and sound from bags and knocks.

This is a smart, well made, thoughtfully designed, tough bag with enough pockets to carry all the gear I need for a day trip, plus some. It cost me £29.95, but there is also a large version, the Scierra Giant Explorer Bag measuring 24in x 15in x 12in and retailing for £39.95.

The Scierra bags are available from Sportfish who have several outlets, but for your nearest or mail order contact.

Sportfish Headquarters and Mail Order
Sportfish
Winforton, Nr Hereford
HR3 6SP

Tel: 01544 327111
Fax: 01544 327093