Let’s face it. These days our smartphones are an integral part of our daily lives. Even when we are trying to escape it all, our iPhones and Samsung Galaxy S4s somehow find their way into our fishing bags and packs every day. It isn’t all bad, though. When in range, your phone can be a valuable tool in the wilderness. It can be used for everything from taking “grip and grin” fish pictures to calling for help in an emergency. Numerous apps exist to help the fly fisherman. Hatch charts, fishing reports, knot instructions, and streamflow data can all be retrieved on our phones – unless they get wet. Just a few drops of water can render one of these powerful tools completely useless. Any experienced angler will tell you that if you fish with your phone long enough, it will get wet. This is where the Lifeproof phone case saves the day. These cases are waterproof, dirt proof, snow proof, and shock proof. That may seem unbelievable, but after owning and trusting mine for almost two years, I am convinced that Lifeproof has invented something truly incredible.
The Four Proofs
Most other phone cases are advertised as “resistant”. They can protect against a few drops of water or a maybe a short fall onto carpet. Lifeproof has gone the extra mile and designed their case to actually overcome the four biggest phone killers out there. With your device in a Lifeproof case, you can rest easy knowing that it is waterproof to 6.6 feet, dirt proof, snow proof, and shock proof. Every Lifeproof case is tested in water at the factory before it even goes into the box. These cases are great for people who spend time outdoors, but essential for fishermen.
Slim, Easy to Use Design
Probably the thing I love most about my Lifeproof case is how little it interferes with me using my iPhone. The microphone and speakers are protected but not muffled, and the touchscreen is just as responsive as it is with no case at all. The slim profile makes it easy to retrieve from my pocket unlike most other protective cases. Lifeproof has even come out with a screenless version called the nuud, which lets you actually touch the screen itself without losing any of its water proof qualities.
Caution
As functional and reliable as these cases are, there are still a few things to think about before you make the purchase. The small screw-in plug that protects the headphone jack is very easy to lose, and the waterproof replacement jack is not very easy to attach or remove. If you listen to a lot of music with your device, you may want to consider some other options.
What could make a new Lifeproof case better? How about a little Derek DeYoung artwork? With several fish print designs to choose from, these cases are functional and unique. The new DeYoung Lifeproof cases have just arrived on Vail Valley Anglers shelves, but don’t expect them to stay there for too long.
Andy “Otter” Smith, Guide and Content Writer
