By: Ross Purnell
Most fly rod travel cases are not waterproof. That’s not a problem when they are in the overhead bin of a Boeing 767. But a big part of your journey is outdoors in a boat or pickup truck, and most of the lightweight cases out there absorb water and leak if they are exposed to rain, seawater, or boat spray. Those same semi-rigid cases are also not crushproof, so when you check those bags you’re never sure if your rods and reels inside, often worth $5,000 or more, are adequately protected. The new Loggerhead case from Sea Run Cases is a submersible and crushproof travel solution to protect your gear.
Marine-Ready Durability
The Loggerhead case solves all these problems, it’s a soft-skinned waterproof case that is crushproof and submersible, and like a Loggerhead turtle it’s durable in any marine environment.
For the last three years, Sea Run has sourced and tested a manufacturing process that combines a soft but tough, double-laminated waterproof TPU outer skin with a rigid, crushproof, hard shell inner case that is lightweight and impact resistant. You can drive over a Loggerhead case with a Toyota Hilux, and your rods and reels are safe inside. You could also drag it behind a boat or float it down the river to your destination with documents or electronics inside. The waterproof skin and the long waterproof zipper ensure nothing gets damp.
Built for Organized Travel
The rigid inner structure of the Loggerhead case is built from an unbendable honeycombed material, and the inside architecture uses both fixed and movable walls that create inner I-beams to prevent crushing from any direction. It can be checked in as baggage or carried on flights, and it’s sized correctly to fit inside overhead bins on most planes.
Loggerheads come in two sizes. The standard size ($369) fits 4-piece, 9- and 10-foot rods and can hold five or six rods and just as many reels plus fly lines, fly boxes, sunglasses, and other essentials. The large size ($389) fits longer rods up to 11’6″. Inside the lid are clear, see-through zippered compartments for leaders, documents, batteries, and other accessories. On the outside, there’s a large, clear exterior zippered compartment. You can use this to create a large label with your return mailing information, or use it for easy exterior access to plane tickets, a passport, or other necessities.
It comes with a padded shoulder strap, as well as two comfortable backpack straps so you can wear it or sling it in different configurations. Perhaps the coolest part of the slick look and feel of the bag is the cork carry handle. It has a sturdy inner tube so it’s tough and rugged, but has a great feel in your hand, just like a fly rod.
This article originally appeared in the June/July 2026 issue of Fly Fisherman magazine.
