The two I most often use are an 18 size 17 jewel Waltham, and a 16 size 17 jewel Waltham. Both are hunter movements, but are set in an open face case (sometimes called a "sidewinder"). Really, I don't see why any well made watch wouldn't work just fine as long as you take a few precautions:

1. If you (and the watch you're wearing) get dunked in the stream, open up the watch case when you get home to let the movement dry to prevent it from rusting. You also may need to have it re-oiled by a qualified watchmaker if it seems to not be keeping good time.

2. Keep the watch secured to your person. Wether its a chain, a fob, or whatever, find some way of keeping the watch from falling out of your pocket.

3. Don't put anything else in the pocket that you keep your watch in.

4. No, really, don't put anything else in that pocket!

5. Get you watch serviced every couple of years by a qualified watchmaker.

My watches all keep time to within about 5 seconds a day, and I go fishing with them about once every other week- not too bad, considering the newest one I have was made in 1932. Oh, and I don't think I've paid more than $50 for any one of them. Hope this helps.