|
Fly Fishing
(Storage)
Review |
Building a better fly box, Scientific Anglers System X
| Date: |
8/23/07 |
| Tackle type: |
Fly
Storage |
| Manufacturer: |
Scientific
Anglers |
| Reviewer: |
Zander |
Total Score: 8.91
Introduction:
Leave it to the
team at 3M, Scientific Anglers, to build a better fly box. No other company has
done more to infuse the fly fishing scene with innovation and new technology
that Scientific Anglers, and they tackle everything from fly lines to fly
storage. The System X fly box is a modifiable patent pending design that makes
use of a tapered waterproof seal to ensure your flies stay dry even if you
don’t.
|
Scientific
Anglers System X Fly Box
Specifications |
| Size |
6" x
4" x 1.5" |
|
Materials |
Plastic |
|
Colors Available |
Multiple, depending on insert |
| Storage Compartments |
2
(Flexible configuration) |
|
Water Resistant |
Yes.
Waterproof |
| Price
as tested |
$21.95 ($12.95 additional inserts) |
Impressions: Fly
fishing is filled with tradition, and viewed by many anglers as one of the
purest forms of fishing. For me half of the fun of fly fishing is being so
inserted into the environment, standing in the middle of the river and
presenting delicate lures that mimic the very bugs that the fish survive on. It
seems that every day there is a new bass reel, rod, or lure introduced, but how
often do we see something new or innovative in fly fishing? Many anglers buy one
rod and reel and use it for the rest of their lives. So how then does a
manufacturer introduce a product that would even interest this group of anglers?
Introducing the Scientific
Anglers System X waterproof Fly Box
Scientific Anglers has a
team of scientists that utilize the latest advancements in materials and
technology to improve just about every aspect of fly fishing. The company is
responsible for many “firsts.” For example,
SA pioneered
the use of powdered tungsten in their sinking lines two decades ago, and continues to optimize its usage. That may come as a surprise to some, because
tungsten is now being heralded as a new technology by many manufacturers.
The System X box features a
tapered waterproof seal that ensures your flies remain dry
The System X
box helps reinvent the standard fly box design with a solution that is more
customizable, more rugged, and more user friendly. My initial impressions of
this box were good, as it seemed easy to use, and was able to hold plenty of
flies, but at first glance it didn’t seem all that revolutionary. It was only
upon closer inspection and actually fishing the System X box did I really start
to appreciate the quality design.
The System X box also floats
Real World Test: To
test the System X box we head out to the California Nevada border to fish the
Truckee river. The Truckee is a tough river, but one that does reward anglers
that put in the time with some beautiful brown and rainbow trout. We fished the
river in waders all day and tossed the box into everything we could find from
the water, to sandy shores, to the rocky banks of the Truckee itself.
The hinges of teh insert hooked
into the plastic covers, inserts in the system X can be changed out, and each
color represents a different type of insert designed for a unique application
Operation:
The patent-pending design of System X fly boxes from
Scientific Anglers has a tapered waterproof seal that ensures that your flies
remain 100% dry. There are three parts of each System X box, the two plastic
covers and the center foam insert.
The latching mechanism holds both
sides tight on the insert
The boxes are sold in varying insert configurations and
are color coded so they are quickly identifiable. These foam inserts are easily
removed and replaced, making it possible to buy additional inserts and simply
build the box for the particular river you are planning to target.
The System X fly box can be
submerged and still remain waterproof
I found it easy to operate
the box, take it apart, and put it back together. The latching mechanism applies
enough pressure on the box so the lids press into a rubber gasket that surrounds
the entire foam insert, making it totally waterproof.
Underwater the gasket holds up to
the pressure
Operation continued & Applications
 |
