We take a look at the new Plan D fly boxes that are new to the UK
One of the issues I have with tube flies when salmon fishing is storing the things. When I look inside my current fly box it normally looks like a small, controlled explosion has taken place.
I have to admit to be a little frustrated and was pleased and a little excited when I heard about the Plan D boxes that had just come to the UK.
I immediately bought one hoping my messed-up fly situation was about to be a problem of the past.
Plan D boxes are the brain child of Dylan Stanley who looks to me as though he is a serious fly angler and I suspect a serious steel header. I do not know him but having designed fly boxes that hold both articulated flies and tubes that I hope this to be the case.
I went for the Pack Max Tube Plus that will hold up to 40 tubes.
The box is really well constructed and on opening up has slots at each end. A set of mandrels comes with the box that have a clip at the end. Once you are ready to load your tubes, insert the mandrel with the clip at the hook end. All you need to do is leave 1/4 of an inch or so and then cut the excess off. When you’ve cut the mandrel back now slide the excess section into the slot and it will securely hold it in place. I used a really old pair of wire cutters and the job was simple, even for me!
The slots are made from silicon and so will hold their shape over a long period of time.
There is a section in the centre of the box that will also hold the hooks for the tubes.
When filled, the flies are held in an orderly easy to spot order and are not going to come loose whilst in transit.
The tube boxes come in three configurations: the Pocket Tube Plus that holds 20 flies, the Pocket Max that holds 40 tubes and the Pack Max that will hold 40 larger tube flies.
I found the medium mandrels held my bigger tubes and the smaller versions that are sold separately are worth considering too.
Plan D also have a range of boxes that are designed for articulated flies too.
To me, this is a great, well thought out design that I really like. My flies no longer look like a mess and I like it so much so I have just ordered another one.
More info here
