Viking Lars | Saturday, 6 January 2024
When you begin fly fishing, everything starts almost at zero. You can do the clever thing and get instruction, both in fishing, casting and fly tying and with that some advice on the tackle to buy. One rod, one line, one reel, one leader and a handful of flies - that’s how I started and I suppose that’s how it starts for most.
Then it goes up. Skill levels, catches, different types of fisheries, maybe travel, access to quality water - and with all that, the amount of tackle as well. And more to the point of the FP - the amount and types of flies.
For the past 20+ years, I’ve carried two fly boxes when I fish in the salt. One with different imitations and one with baitfish and flies that provoke more than imitate. The reason for two is that I’ve always tied for of each pattern and each size. When the amount of patters grow, so does the need for space - hence the two boxes.
For years I’ve also been a sling pack convert. I really enjoy fishing with them and I’ve come to appreciate that everything is one the back and my front is clutter free. However sling packs become uncomfortable when they’re too heavy, so I carry small ones and they obviously have less space. I’m a big fan of C&F fly boxes and I have absolutely nothing bad to say about them, but they are not the lightest. I use the 3500-series and they’re not the smallest either.
My favourite sling pack is the old Simms ambidextrous version (it’s designed so one can carry it on either shoulder). It sits very well on me, it has the right amount on internal and external organisation and the size it perfect. It does hold two C&F 3500-series boxes, but I decided to reduce my carry to one box. Except for the few weeks every season where the rag worms are about - then I carry a worm box as well. I’ve dubbed the box, “The Worm Can” (I think there’s an FP on that as well).
So I needed to fit everything into one box and since I only compromised so much on the selection of patterns and sizes, I needed to reduce the number of flies in each pattern and size. So two it is. Two of each pattern and size. Now in one box. It’s getting a bit cramped, but it works.
I’ve then acquired the over engineered, but incredibly cool C&F Guide Box with system plates. I love that thing, which will keep my flies safe through a zombie apocalypse. That is now where I keep the two “spares”, so to speak. I don’t bring it fishing, but leave it at home, so I can replace lost or chewed up flies when needed. I can technically then lose those two flies in that crucial size that picks up all the fish that day, but I’ll either live with that or accept the fact that another fly will work.
The guide box is also the perfect place to store the rag worm imitations, the flies I only use during the summer nights and so on.
The only challenge is to avoid coming up with more patterns I convince myself I need, but should that happen, I can always go back to two-box-system.
Down sizing - interesting exercise.
2023 - nearly over. Another 52 frontpages, another year of plans and ideas that never unfolded, but others did. Bumps along the way, but after going uphill, it gets easier as it goes downhill again. I hope for a little more downhill in 2024, except on the bike, where I need to getting better going up. I went out for a 60km-ride today and cut it short at 40 - we had black ice on the road and it was simply too dangerous. Including getting dressed for a winter ride, getting undressed, washing the clothes, cleaning and servicing the bike, I’ll end up spending as much time on that as I did riding. I was partly on gravel, so the bike looks like crap and the chain is full of sand. I’ll do it all over again on January 1st and ride my way into 2024. All for now.
Have a great weekend!
Lars