Looking towards the July trip, I think having a waterproof bag to store the camera + lens would be a great idea while canoeing. Assume a 20D + 400/5.6. Nothing like a Pelican, just a bag I can easily and quickly open/close. Floating would be a bonus, otherwise, I'll tie it to the canoe somehow. Ideas?

<center><img src="http://img341.imageshack.us/img341/9948/7715109hx8.jpg"></center><p>I'd use my regular camera bag and stick it inside one of these:

Google "rafting waterproof bag" and you'll see lots of options.

<center><img src="http://www.kayaksandpaddles.co.uk/canoe/kayak/uk/shop/productpages/sit-ons/sit-ons-images/ocean-duo/rtm-ocean-duo-barrel-2.jpg"></center><p>

the Lowepro waterproof bag is $$$. Hopefully these are much more economical, even though they offer less utility outside the canoe.

a quick dunk when properly zippered. I have an old Orion AW and it appears pretty watertight.

Billingham bags' main compartment is probably also good enough for a quick submersion, but they are also pretty expensive.

Again, talking about a quick dunk only - all those bags will have to be dried out afterwards, but the gear should be okay inside

On canoe trips, I have used both methods to keep my camera dry and they each have their advantages. Pelican boxes are 100% watertight, but are heavier. Dry bags don't claim to be watertight but they'll protect your gear if you to fish it out of the water fast enough. You can clip the drybag to a canoe thwart - but remember this will hinder canoe over canoe rescue. Seal Line also makes a fanny pack version of a dry bag. It will fit an SLR but not with a long lens.

(I just got back from an 8-day solo canoe trip where I used my trusty Pelican 1200 case.)

Sounds awesome.

<center><img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/7822/eviltree.jpg"></center><p>The Evil Tree

(If I waited an hour longer, the sun would have lit the highlights better, but I had to keep moving.)

Be sure you post up details of your trip.