I had the opportunity to test out the Sea To Summit Large Waterproof Map Case. Most of my fishing involves a kayak, so the opportunity to test the gear would present itself. I floated the Watauga River a couple of months ago and this would be my chance. I was going to float two sections of the river: one section I had been on before, but I had always been with a guide, and the other section would be totally new.

The first day, a friend and I decided to float the section we knew about, but we would add a mile or so to the float. That made the float easy because we would not need a shuttle; we would float from the cabins to the take out point and we left a vehicle at the take out point early the day of the float. We started the float a little later than what I would normally, mainly because of some last minute decisions. Before we left put a copy of the map in the map case and tied the map case around my fly rod holder. That way I could grab a hold of the map at any time to see how far we had gone and how much further do we have to go. I also marked locations of major & minor rapids on the map too.

We started down the river. My friend, Laura, had just bought a kayak, but did not bring it on this trip, so we borrowed another kayak. In the slow water, I went over basic paddling strokes, casting from a sitting position, etc until we approached the first set of rapids. Not being familiar with this section of the river, I got out of the kayak, and used a rope to walk the kayak. This started out a good idea, but turned bad towards the end of the rapids. At the very end of the rapid another rapid joined the main rapid at a ninety degree angle. When my kayak hit the side rapid, the rapid rolled my sit-on-top kayak over, with all of my gear in it. And since I was grasping tight on the rope, it dragged me with it. I went under the water couple of times. I pulled myself to kayak and swam to the side of the river. I rolled the kayak back over and believe it or not, all of my gear was still there, even the fly rod.

Yes, the fly rod was there and intact; not a break or scratch. The only thing I lost was my hat, but that was quickly replaced when I got home. Of course, my gear bag had water in it, but not much and the cooler had some river water in it too. But of all things that were soaking wet, including me and the three gallons of cold river water in my waders, the map inside the map case was completely dry. I had planned on dunking it the river, but I had not planned on taking it on an undersea adventure. If kayaking or canoeing is your thing, get one of these cases. If adventure racing is your thing, get one of these cases, you will not be disappointed. The case is light weight and comes in a smaller size if the large is too big. It also has long strap on it to tie or clip to objects or you can wear it around your neck. The map case is easy to use, it open and closes easily by folding the map case and is locked in place by Velcro tabs.

I wish I had a photo of me soaked to the bone, but I was a little shocked by what happened. Just to let you know, after I went for my drink in the river. I began yelling to Laura, “Go Back! Go Around!” But it was too late; she went into the drink too. We are both alive and still kicking and we finished out the day catching nice trout on dry flies and nymphs.

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