Choosing a Fly Box
Essential Fly Fishing Gear
A fly box may seem an insignificant decision, initially. However, don't underestimate the importance of this particular choice. All gear decisions are paramount! With so many styles, sizes, shapes, and materials, getting the proper box is key. And there's no need to spend more than what's practical.
Boxes are made of a vast array of materials today; wood, leather, canvas, plastic, metal, and lately, foam. Every seasoned angler has his preference. But here are some facts that can help take the guesswork out of fly box bamboozlement.
Fly Box Materials
Wood . Sure, it has aesthetically pleasing qualities; the grain, the sound of it opening and closing, the feel of it in the hand. Wood looks terrific and has a traditional appeal. But wood can be heavy. Typically, it's an expensive material. And, wood will eventually split, splinter, or break at the hinge. Wood may also retain moisture when closed. Moisture causes hooks to rust.
A plastic box can be good if it contains foam inserts. But most plastics are rigid and become brittle over time. Plus, some plastics weight a lot.
Metal boxes often look great and come in an array of sizes, but they can also be unforgiving in the pocket of a vest or pack when bending over or sitting on the bum for a rest. And in most cases, metal boxes are heavier than others, and some only have compartments or windows where flies "sit," and are not attached.
Leather and canvas "wallets" are popular in many cases because they last, and are lightweight. But barbed flies can be next to impossible to remove from the artificial wool inside, and neither leather nor canvas are watertight, so if the wallet gets submerged, removing every fly would be necessary while the thing dries out.
Foam boxes are the latest choice for many fly fishers because they are ultra-lightweight, very inexpensive, and they actually "give" a little when bending over or when sitting down for break. They float when dropped. They are impervious to water. Magnets keep them shut so spills are insignificant. And if all that wasn't enough, flies actually poke into the foam and attach to the box, so if the box does tilt or spill, flies don't end up floating downstream or lost in the grass.
Only drawbacks to foam is that they are sometimes olive or earthtone in color, which means if dropped or left on the bank, chances are, they'll stay lost. Also, they may not last as long as other materials. But since they are so affordable, who cares, right?
Practical Fly Box Tips
If looking for a box and don't know where to start, stay clear of boxes with only troughs or compartments. Flies fall out and sometimes become lost forever. Boxes with wool or artificial wool are a hassle too. Barbs snag and can get bent or broken trying to finagle them out. Furthermore, putting all of one's flies in a single box is akin to putting all one's eggs in one basket. Not smart! Lose that box, and every fly is gone. Carry only what's necessary! Leave the rest in another box in the vehicle.
Fly fishing can be expensive enough as it is. Spend the extra dollars on items that perform, such as boots, rods, and line, not on a box. In short, go with the smallest box tolerable, the cheapest available, made of the lightest material around, and a fly fisher simply cannot go wrong.
Various Styles of Fly Boxes
|
What do you think about this article?
More in Outdoor & Recreation
Latest Articles