| Name: Richard Lyon |
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| E-mail: rlyon@gibsondunn.com |
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Experience:
Flyfishing is a passion. I'm a mountain angler, seeking trout in rivers, streams and creeks regularly in the Rockies and occasionally abroad. Often, I combine flyfishing with backpacking or hiking in order to get to secluded waters and enjoy the mountain summer. My two cardinal rules for fishing: Never measure and never keep count. |
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Product Being Tested:
Simms Bottomless Pit Roller Bag, 85 liter version. This is a LARGE (33 x 18 x 11 inches)two-wheeled suitcase designed for the traveling angler. The bottom (where the wheels are) and long underside are stiff nylon or plastic for strength and rigidity; the upper part of the bag is made of a rugged, cordura-like fabric that allows some overstuffing. It's modular - in addition to the bag itself, there's a separate waterproof pouch for books or maps and a hard cordura case(32 x 3.75 x 3.75 inches) that will hold three four-piece rods in their socks. The bottom and the underside of the "lid" have full-length zippered compartments for accessories, and there's an outside zippered pocket on the top for items needed close to hand. Interior and exterior compression straps allow cinching down loose items and keeping a less-than-full load from moving about. The main compartment has double zippers just under the lid to prevent water leakage. All thoughtfully designed and with top-grade materials and workmanship - like every other Simms product I've used. The bag has hand grips at each end and longer fabric strips at the bottom on the front and back for short backpack-fashion carries. As with most roller bags, large and small, a plastic handle is extracted from the top of the bag by depressing a button, to roll the bag behind you. The handle locks down when not needed. |
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Snapshot of your experience with products of this sort:
I travel, usually by air, to fish, and most of my trips are three or four-day jaunts to the mountains. Over the years I've used many different varieties and brands of duffel bags for my gear and clothing. Until a recent trip, I preferred soft duffels, as they appeared to me to be easier to sling across my shoulder and lighter in weight than a suitcase-type bag. A quarter-mile sprint through the Milan train station to make a tight connection prompted some re-thinking - hence my experimentation with a large roller. |
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Date of Test:
Two weekend trips by air in fall 2005, each three days long. |
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Place of Test:
Both trips originated in Dallas, my home. The first was a Thanksgiving weekend trip to Livingston, Montana, changing planes in Salt Lake City. The second was a ski trip to Alta, Utah, near Salt Lake City. I checked the bag on both trips. |
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Test Condition:
Except for busier-than-usual holiday crowds, these were typical air trips. |
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Relevant related equipment or products:
On both trips, I intentionally overpacked to see how much I could fit into the Bottomless Pit. Even with full loads (including heavy ski boots on the second trip), at no time did the bag exceed Delta's weight limit (though as a high-level frequent flier, I might have been cut some slack). I used plastic garbage bags to separate wet waders from the remainder of my gear. |
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Your experience with the product:
Oh how I wish I'd had this bag when I had to run through the train station, or even walk along the train to reach my assigned car! That would have saved a sore shoulder, an ocean of perspiration, and much of my temper. With the top handle extended it's easy and efficient to pull the bag behind you. This bag is large enough for a week's worth of clothes in addition to fishing gear. The rod case could be carried separately, and the pouch is great for segregating items that you want to find quickly. (I used it for three reels and my shaving kit.) This bag does what it's supposed to do - hold all one's gear in a single bag that's easy to transport with only your own horsepower. |
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Qualities you liked about the product:
Modularity.
It's tough - I expect it to last for many years. (One drawback of large canvas duffels is the wear and tear from baggage handlers dragging them along the tarmac. I've had to have my favorite patched twice.)
Good-looking, low-key, black and grey, with a jumping fish logo.
Big enough so that I only need one bag.
Careful attention to detail, as in the compression straps and protected zippers. |
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Qualities you didn't liked about the product:
Weight. While this is a necessary consequence of its strength and rigidity, it is a heavy lift into the trunk of the car or off the conveyor belt. I don't recommend more than 50 yards carrying it as a backpack; it's just too heavy.
I wish the zippered compartment at the bottom were large enough for boots and waders. |
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Summary Comments
An excellent addition to my luggage cache. It will be put to good use next summer. |
