DRY IS GOOD

I learned long ago that my love of angling made me a good candidate for getting wet.

The opportunities are plentiful, and I suspect I've explored them all. I've fallen into rivers and tumbled from the deck of my boat. My waders have sprung inconvenient leaks, and I've occasionally waded just an inch too deep. And it goes without saying that I've been caught out in heavy rain more than once. With a bit of thought, I'm sure I could come up with even more examples, such as pitching a tent in the wrong place or thinking my tackle bags were safe just before they submerged.

Should I take greater care in staying dry? I have no doubt. But reality suggests that getting wet is inevitable for those of us who hang out around water. Sooner or later, you're going to get doused. So do yourself a favor by being prepared. Though I've never done anything worse than embarrass myself, the consequences of poor preparation can be serious.

If you only want light-weight, portable protection, or perhaps you never stray much beyond the backyard, you might need nothing more than the Wetlands Dry Hip Pack (MSRP $59.00) from FishAge

to protect a few essentials. And even if you don't anticipate a storm, the Waterfall Rain Jacket (MSRP $119.00) will also shield you from uncomfortable winds.

If you plan on ranging farther afield, whether fishing from your car or taking a boat into isolated places, consider a 15- or 25-liter FishAge Dry Bag (MSRP $22.50 and $24.90, respectively) with at least a change of clothes, and maybe even a towel, a first aid kit and a few flares. I've read enough reports of duck hunters dying of exposure after swamping their boats, so I even like the idea of packing a sweater and an old coat when fishing in the winter.

Am I overreacting? Possibly. But I know the winter marsh can be a miserable place even when I'm dry; I can't imagine having to deal with that environment when I'm wet. And the cost of a dry bag strikes me as a very reasonable insurance policy.

What if you need more than a dry bag? Check out the Wetlands Dry Duffel Bags from FishAge. Available in 45 liters (MSRP $54.90) and 120 liters (MSRP $119.00), these expedition-quality duffels will keep your gear safe and dry in the toughest conditions.

I have a buddy who recently got back from steelheading on an isolated section of the Snake River. Like any good steelheader, Chuck packed the 120-liter duffel with just about every piece of cold-weather clothing he owned, turned the bag over to the airline, spent a week living out of a tent, then turned the bag over to the airline again for the trip home. Of course, Chuck had no way of knowing the freaky weather meant he never needed anything more than a light jacket while on the river.

But at least he was prepared.