Extra Large Comfort

When you’re on a long session (think: a week or two in France) you need luxury. Whether it’s blissfully hot or a storm’s raging, you need additional housing that keeps you dry and comfortable. Enter the Screen House RT (the RT stands for Road Trip): a carpy coloured tent which offers additional cover for cooking, socialising or lake-watching. When it’s wet, keep the doors and windows done up; when the sky clears, tie back the sides to create a large, open front where you can overlook the whole of your swim whilst sipping on your 2005 Merlot (or Stella if you’re a lager man).

The Screen House RT with the porch up

Full mozzie mesh throughout

The Big Questions

Do I really need this extra space?
We’ll set the record straight right from the start: this is aimed at the angler who’s going to be fishing from one swim on a weeklong session, a French fishery for example. If you plan to move about the lake like Mat Woods or Ian Russell, then the Screen House RT won’t be for you. Obvs. But if you’re an angler who enjoys a longer session or who fishes a venue where you’re camped up in the same swim for the duration of the session, then you’ll looooove the extra comfort this brings.

Woah! It’s massive! But how does it differ to other manufacturers’ models?
Simple: Avid’s is the most feature-packed gazebo-style shelter on the market. Full mozzie mesh throughout; two full-length zips on three sides gives you numerous options when it comes to setting it up; a 100 x 100cm rear window; poles for a porch area are supplied, as are a groundsheet and pegs. All the guide ropes have their own individual pockets for storage and they even flow under head torch light so you won’t be tripping over them!

So I can have two of the sides completely open?
You sure can. Should it be a blistering 30şC out there, just unzip, clip back and then stretch out and enjoy the shade. The front porch is a lovely touch too – giving you even more storage space.

And how big is it?
A whopping 2.7 x 3.3m! So it not only has a large footprint but it has masses of headroom so you can stand in it no problem. It’s just a great additional shelter which gives you a separate space to eat, drink, tie rigs and generally chill out that’s not in your biv. When it’s wet it keeps you dry, and when it’s hot it keeps you cool thanks to all those roll-back windows.

I’m impressed. What’s the damage though…
Although it’s RRP is £204.99, have a good search on-line before you order as we found it for as little as £183.99. Now compare that to its competitors offerings and well… there’s no comparison! Most others range between £150 and £200 but none have the features and functionalities that the Screen House RT has, so in our eyes it’s the clear winner when it comes to a second bankside home.

The three-tier Scree House Organiser RT

It's bloody awesome!

Anything else you think I need to know?
There is actually, and it’s called the Screen House Organiser RT. It’s a three-tier, fold-out aluminum framed cupboard. Why are you laughing? We’re being serious. Whilst on first impression you might think ‘WTF’, it’s actually one bloody awesome product. Again, it’s not designed for those who are on the move all the time – it’s designed to keep your Screen House organised. Whether it’s food, fishing tackle or other essential items, you can keep them safe and close to hand at all times – there’s even a coated tabletop and a mesh mosquito mesh front. It measures 50 x 46 x 120cm, comes supplied in its own carry bag and retails for £64.99.