|
|
|
Fly Fishing
(Storage)
Review |
Building a better fly box, Scientific Anglers System X
(continued)
  Operation
cont'd: Even though the box floats
it does hold out water even when fully submerged. Suppose you had it in your
vest and slipped or dropped into a pocket in the river. Though your vest might
get soaked at least your flies will remain dry and ready for use.
On one side you can hold dry flies
The System X makes it easy
to draw the right flies with transparent lids, you never open up the wrong side.
The boxes are available in many configurations but the nymph/dry fly combo we
tested was our favorite. Not only does it hold flies of both types securely and
separate it also has storage space for indicators and shot for nymph fishing.
The durable foam material holds
hooks securely in place
In terms of the actual
foam itself, the System X
makes use of
durable foam which firmly holds all types of flies and exhibits very little long term memory
damage. The foam handles large hooks and tiny hooks equally well, and even when
the box is violently shaken or tossed the flies stay exactly where they are
inserted. Overall the System X box is easy to use and configure, and among the
very best boxes I have ever used when it comes to organization and storage.
The other side of the patent
pending design has a section for indicators and shot for nymph fishing
Durability: We have
already established that the System X box is easy to use, but how well does it
hold up to abuse? We dunked it in the river, threw it against rocks, bounced it
off the pavement, and the box still performed well and maintained its watertight
seal. The sides of the box do scratch, but it is still easy to see your flies
inside the box.
The box holds plenty of nymphs
side by side
The box has small raised
bumps on the surface which help reduce scratches and also make it easier to grab
the box even when wet. The System X box is certainly able to take more
punishment than a standard aluminum fly box, and in terms of the interior if you
rip up the foam with oversized hooks (which is really hard to do with anything
but streamers) you can always change the insert.
The outside of the gasket has
holes to secure the box to a vest
Price & Applications:
The System X box retails for 21.95, which is reasonable for a plastic fly box,
but what makes this solution so robust is the ability to use the plastic sides
with additional inserts. These inserts (four variations) are sold for 12.95 a
piece. If you are a serious fly fisherman we recommend investing in two complete
boxes then loading up on a few more inserts. The extra inserts can actually be
used in another box that Scientific Anglers sells, the Fly Suitcase, which
carries or stores up to four System X foam inserts
at a time (dimensions: 10-1/2"L x 6-1/2"W x 3"H).
The easy to use floating System X
box gave me the confidence to change out flies right in the middle of the river
The boxes
are small enough to fit into just about any vest, but too large to put inside a
regular pocket. The system is so good we wished that Scientific Anglers made a
half size box for backcountry trout anglers, but for now the current system
addresses a wide range of angling applications. The boxes are not too large that
they can’t fit in a vest, yet are big enough to hold even mid-sized streamers
depending on what interchangeable foam insert you choose.
Ratings:
|
Scientific
Anglers System X Fly Box Ratings
(?/10) |
| Construction/Quality |
Good use of high quality shatterproof plastic and the foam used in teh
inserts holds hooks securely with little to no memory whatsoever. The
interchangeable design allows you to really customize your box for the water
you are fishing |
9 |
| Performance |
Great performance in waterproof tests, and excellent performance in
durability tests. We really put the hurt on this box and it handled it all
with no problems |
9 |
| Price |
A
decent price for a box this detailed in design |
9 |
| Features |
The
System X box is waterproof, easy to use, durable, interchangeable, and it
floats....nuff said |
9.5 |
| Design
(Ergonomics) |
A
great design, one that blows away most fly boxes we have seen. It is easy to
use and the interchangeable yet waterproof system is fantastic |
9 |
| Application |
Able
to handle a range of flies this system is so good that we wished there was a
half size box for those looking for an ultra portable solution |
8 |
|
Total Score |
8.91 |
Pluses and Minuses:
|
Plus
Minus |
| J
Interchangeable design |
L
Only one size available |
| J
Easy to use and maintain |
|
| J
Waterproof |
|
| J
Reasonable price |
|
Conclusion:
Innovating in the fly
fishing category poses a unique challenge for manufacturers, as the sport is one
deeply seeding in tradition. Scientific Angler’s may make use of the latest
technology and thinking in their designs, but they somehow preserve the
tradition and feel behind fly fishing. The System X box doesn’t look like your
granddad's fly box, but it does the same thing….only better. In fact the box is
better than the average box in just about every way. The System X box is affordable,
durable, waterproof, customizable, easy to use, and it floats. How many fly
boxes can do all that? Scientific Anglers has built a quality product, one that
both minimalists and tackle junkies will appreciate.
|
|
|
|
