Trying to fit your angling into our ever busy working week has become virtually impossible for many of us, I, for one, fish less now, than I ever have.
To compensate, many anglers have adapted there approach, making short sessions the vogue for many specialist and specimen anglers these days. So the equipment they use has evolved over the past two to three years to fit into this ever growing element of overnight and short session angling.
One area that has seen massive developments and improvements in recent years is the evolution of short session shelters. For many years the umbrella style shelters were the vogue for the time limited angler. However, although being very light weight and easy to erect, over the years two major flaws in the brolly system became obvious. Firstly the support frame was too obstructive and was the curse of many a headache and secondly, in extreme conditions it just wasn’t up to the job.
So with many anglers now looking at the pram hood style shelters over conventional umbrella systems, numerous manufacturers have now jumped on the band wagon. These shelters offer the angler the functionality of the brolly system, being both easy to erect and light weight, but they also offer the angler far greater storage, headroom and strength - all options that this new generation of short session angler demanded from a shelter.
With every penny counting in this exceptionally hard biting recession, many of you out there will be doing indepth research into any new products you are considering buying. Before spending any of your hard earned cash, making sure the product is capable of carrying out the duties you will demand of it. It will make the difference between money well spent and money wasted. So to assist, UKMA have the latest offering from Chub, the S-Plus shelter and Overwrap out on the bank, here are our thoughts.

Chub S-Plus Shelter

RRP £84.99

Vital Statistics

• 5000 Hydrostatic head 210D cover
• 16mm 6061 Aluminium poles and frame support bars.
• Shock corded pegging points
• Tension strap
• Detachable lightweight groundsheet

The S-Plus is an open fronted shelter designed with the mobile and short session angler in mind for use during the warmer months. The shelter is supplied in a durable toggled stuff sack which has two very comfortable, perfectly located carry handles, that making carrying and transportation of this very lightweight shelter which weighs in at only 3.6kg (7.92lb) exceptionally easy.
The shelter is built around a 5 section 6061 aluminium pre-formed 16mm dual frame. Not only does the frame system give the shelter incredible strength, it makes the S-Plus Shelter very easy to erect, I have personally fully erected the shelter in less than 60 seconds. To complete the shelters stability, it comes supplied with adjustable tension bars that added stability making the shelter capable of handling the strongest of winds.
The Shelters skin or cover is manufactured from a the 5000 Hydrostatic head 210D material, which basically means the material can remain waterproof and withstand the equivalent of 5m (5000mm) of water coming into contact with the materials surface (sounds bloody impressive doesn’t it) Basically this green nylon material is 100% waterproof  and keeps you and your kit dry. 
The Chub S-Plus shelter also comes supplied as standard with a light weight practical groundsheet. This is simply connected to the shelter with the use of Velcro fastenings located on the edge of the underside of the groundsheet and on the internals of the inner skirt of the shelter. The shelter also comes with a tension strap as standard and comes supplied with good quality T style bivvy pegs.
The S-plus is fitted with extended storm side panels that when pegged out give the shelter incredible stability and give the resident additional protection from the elements. Optionally you can be rolled back the storm sided for added vision when the weather is more favourable. Last but not least, you also get supplied as standard T type bivvy pegs which are of very good quality.

Final Thoughts

The Chub S-plus Shelter has everything any angler who fish’s overnighters in milder climates should realistically require. The shelter can be collapsed and re-erected in a matter of minutes, making it perfect for the angler who likes to be able to get up and move if required. Chub have a shelter that does an exceptional job of keeping the elements at bay, giving superb protection from wind and rain, as good as many far more expensive products.
The all round manufacture will meet the demands of even the most critical of angler, with all stitching and fixing being to a satisfactory quality and functionality. I have erected and packed away the S - Plus shelter on numerous occasions and it has performed perfectly on every occasion I have used it. As long as you pack it away dry every time you us the S-Plus Shelter, it will last you for a very long period of time, retaining it’s strength and give long term protection from the elements.
After now being used twice a week, for the past 10 weeks, the UKMA field testers can conclusively say that this is one quality shelter for the money. For only £84.99 you have a shelter that gives more than adequate protection in virtually all weather systems including gale force winds. Obviously you may get some condensation but you do in all single skin shelters but don’t let that put you off. The Chub S-plus Shelter is a bargain that performs above its weight every time you use it.

Chub S-Plus Overwrap

RRP £79.99

Vital Statistics

• 5000mm Hydrostatic head high performance waterproof cover
• Roll up door  with clear window
• Side panels can be clipped back for increased visibility and  ventilation
• Shock corded pegging points
• Supplied with T-pegs and carry bag

To compliment and take the S-Plus Shelter to the next level of bank side comfort and all round protection, Chub have released the S-Plus Overwrap. The overwrap is produced from the same high quality 5000mm Hydrostatic head, high performance waterproof material as the S-Plus Shelter. Giving the shelters resident double the amount of protection from the elements and totally encapsulating the shelter, keeping all of mother natures worst at bay.

The S-plus Overwrap front panel or porch has an external roll up panel which when rolled back, reveals a clear panel allowing the angler to monitor the lake even in the wettest of conditions. When the weather permits, the door can be unzipped and rolled up to aid ventilation and make accessing the bivvy simpler. In good weather, the porch side panels can be rolled back and securely fastened into place to increase ventilation and give the angler a panoramic view of the lake.

On fitting the Overwrap to the S-Plus shelter, which only takes about 45 seconds (as long as the wind isn’t blowing a gale) and ensuring that all shock corded pegging points have been fastened correctly. You will instantly notice how rigid the structure becomes; the overwrap gives the S-Plus shelter a substantial amount of torch, which stabilises the structure completely. Even with the front porch securely rolled back, the extra stability is still there to be noticed.

Our team experienced some major extremes of climate during tests on some very open venues on the East Anglian Fens. The Overwrap enables the S-Plus Shelter to convert into a twin skin system that will enable the angler to fish comfortably even in the coldest of conditions on the windiest of days with confidence. This extremely versatile system with multiple protection configurations, not only comes to the angler at a very affordable price but it performs well above that price as well.

By adding the Chub S- Plus Overwrap to the S-Plus shelter you alleviate the issues with condensation forming in the shelter, even with the porch totally rolled back the condensation was virtually none existent. Structurally, it stood up to strong winds with ease, never showing any major signs of weakness. Even on the pegging points which took a major hammering whilst fishing a reservoir which is 40 foot higher than the surrounding landscape in gale force winds.

Final Thoughts

This great value for money Shelter and overwrap combination would easily fit into any angler’s budget, utilising the many configurations the shelter can be used in should cover the requirements on the bank. I personally feel the S-Plus Shelter with the S-Plus Overwrap would be perfect for sessions up to 72 hours, with enough room to house a standard size bed chair and ample equipment for a session of this length.