How Grandpa’s Fishing Bag Became a Modern Creel
My grandfather had a canvas fishing creel.
Throughout my childhood, it was the bag lent to me on fishing trips around Mt Hood, particularly when we fished Camp Creek. The small stocked rainbows couldn't resist a hook baited with salmon eggs, and conveniently, the little jar they came in fitted perfectly into the pocket on the front left of the bag. It is funny what details stay with you. Years later, I found myself returning to the creel, not simply because of the memories attached to it, but because of the way it had been designed.
Function Makes the Form
I've always been intrigued by old canvas fishing creels and their distinctive shape. Originally designed to carry a catch, their proportions, openings and seemingly oddly placed pockets weren't styling decisions. They existed because somebody needed them there. There is a particular kind of beauty in fishing equipment made this way. Utility comes first. Form follows almost accidentally. The bag my grandfather carried was one of those objects: uncomplicated, durable and specific to its purpose. The more closely I looked at it, the more interesting the details became.That became the starting point for making a new one.
The Creel, Reconsidered
Rather than reproduce the original, the idea was to retain its character and reinterpret it for how I wanted to use a bag today on the stream, but equally away from it. The familiar silhouette remained, while the construction changed considerably.
The resulting Tactical Canvas Creel is made in England from a heavyweight 360g Cotton Duck-faced X-Pac X10 fabric. A removable tarpaulin lining and YKK AquaGuard zipper protect the main compartment, while exterior pockets preserve the immediate access that made the original bag so useful. PALS webbing on the rear allows additional equipment to be attached when needed. Mil-spec nylon webbing, ITW-Nexus hardware and leather binding bring together references that normally live in very different places: fishing equipment, military load-carrying systems and traditional canvas goods.
The result is more technical than my grandfather's creel ever needed to be. But the idea behind it remains remarkably similar. A place for the things you need, positioned exactly where you expect to find them.
Growing up fishing, all tackle, rod and gear were hand me downs. This canvas creel is a dedication to the bag that was my grandpa’s.
Based on the vintage silhouette, this bag is heavily spec’d up; built out of a robust Cotton Duck faced X-Pac® fabric and made in the UK. The main compartment features a bright white tarpaulin removable lining and the YKK AquaGuard® zipper keeps your goods dry. A large slip pocket with a secure velcro closure and two pouch pockets on front allow for quick access and simple organisation. On the backside we added PALS webbing to allow for modular MOLLE attachments. The mil-spec nylon webbing shoulder strap with ITW-Nexus hardware ensures long lasting, tough wearing carry. To finish it off with a touch of class, the bag is trimmed with leather binding.
Size
19’’ x 10’’ x 3.5’’ / 49 x 26.5 x 9 cm
490cu-in / 8L
Fabric
Dimension-Polyant X-Pac® X10 360g/sm Cotton Duck Facing
REACH certified PVC coated 1100dtex HT Polyester
Trims
YKK AquaGuard® Coil Zipper
Leather binding
Mil-Spec IRR compliant Nylon webbings
VELCRO® hook and loop closure on front pockets
ITW-Nexus hardware
Features
PALS webbing on exterior back panel
Removable inner lining in main compartment
Slip front pocket with two smaller pouch pouches
Adjustable and removable shoulder strap
Made in England / UK