Simms Dry Creek Boat Bag, 1709-1831 cu in, Sterling, Small Review (2026)

Who this bag is built for

This is a dedicated boat bag rather than a general duffel, aimed at drift boat anglers, raft guides and kayak anglers who need one dry container on a wet floor. The Small size holds a reel, a couple of fly boxes, a rain layer and lunch, which fits a half day trip or a angler who packs light. Anyone running multi-day float trips or carrying camera gear, extra layers and lunch for two will find the Small cramped and should look at the Large Dry Creek instead. Because the bag is purpose built for boats, it is less useful as an everyday travel bag, the shape and rigid lid are designed to sit flat and stay closed on a moving boat floor rather than to sling over a shoulder through an airport.

Construction and how it keeps water out

The body uses 420 denier double ripstop nylon with a double sided TPU coating, and the lid and bottom are compression molded, coated TPU panels rather than soft fabric. That combination is what makes the bag genuinely waterproof rather than just water resistant, since the rigid lid sheds standing water and spray instead of letting it pool. A magnetized catch and release buckle holds the lid shut even when the main zipper is left open for quick access, which is a detail dedicated boat anglers notice on the water. Simms lists the Small at roughly 15.6 by 8.4 by 9.75 inches with a 20 liter capacity and about 2.2 pounds empty, so it is compact enough to wedge under a boat seat or into a kayak hatch without eating up the whole hull.

Daily use, organization and care

Inside, customizable dividers let you separate a reel from fly boxes so hard items do not bang around loose, and loop patches on the top of the lid give a spot to stick flies to dry between casts. The included grab handle and a removable, adjustable shoulder strap cover both quick boat transfers and short carries to the truck. Because the shell is coated nylon and molded TPU rather than a fabric with a waterproof liner, care is straightforward, a rinse with fresh water after saltwater or muddy river use and air drying with the lid open prevents the coating from breaking down early. Avoid folding the molded lid panels tightly for storage, since repeated hard creases can eventually stress the TPU coating at the fold lines.

Trade-offs and how it compares

The main trade-off is capacity versus organization, the Small keeps gear tight and easy to find but will not swallow a rain jacket, extra reel spool and lunch for a full day float without careful packing. Simms also sells a Large version of the same Dry Creek Boat Bag with more room for multi-day trips, at a higher price and larger footprint. Against budget alternatives like the KastKing Hoss or Karryall tackle bags, the Simms costs more but uses a true molded TPU lid and coated nylon body rather than a water resistant zipper and fabric shell, so it holds up better to standing water on a boat floor. Anglers who fish from a raft or drift boat regularly will likely find the extra durability worth the premium over generic tackle bags.

Verdict and who should look elsewhere

The Dry Creek Boat Bag Small is a strong pick for anglers who want one genuinely waterproof bag to protect a reel, boxes and a layer on a wet boat floor or in a kayak hatch, and who are willing to pack efficiently to fit the 20 liter capacity. Guides and multi-day float anglers who need to carry more gear, or anyone who wants a single bag to also serve as everyday travel luggage, should size up to the Large Dry Creek or consider a soft-side tackle bag with more overall volume. Budget-focused anglers who mainly fish from shore and do not need boat-floor level waterproofing can save money with a standard water resistant tackle bag instead.

Frequently asked questions