Houston.....we have an addiction!

Fly boxes.  A must have when fly fishing.  They have come along way since I started fly fishing 18 years ago.  They now come in all shapes, sizes, configurations, waterproof, not waterproof, plastic, wood, metal, expensive, cheap...well you get the idea.  I have always used boxes that have multiple compartments in them but without lids.  I always figured it made life easier to sort the flies and have access to them.  Plus they were and continue to be cheap.  A big plus in this household where the wife watches what I buy like a hawk watches a field mouse.  Always ready to pounce.  I do have three boxes with separate compartments in them with each one having a lid.  I like them but they aren't waterproof.

So two things happened in the past year that made me realize I might need to upgrade my fly boxes.  First was last September while I was at Harman's with Greg.  I tried to cross the stream and ended up going for a swim.  You might remember the post but if not you can read it here.  Every stinking fly became soaked.  Actually soaked would be a gross understatement.  I could and did literally pour water out of each box.  Many a fly hook rusted that day.  Second was at Harman's again, hey maybe there is a theme here, and I started noticing everyone else's fly boxes.  They were better and they were waterproof.   In fact Team New Jersey's own Paul commented on my boxes by saying "Oh I see you have the spill and cry boxes."  After looking at them, I realized he was right.  One slip of the hand, one missed step on a rock while the box is open,  one shiver and all those flies would hit the water.  They would be washed down stream and there wouldn't be a thing I could do about it.

Upon returning from Harman's I started buying fly boxes.  I may have gone a bit overboard though.  I only recently started changing out boxes and filling the new ones.  I actually have more boxes then I need now.  Just don't tell Melissa as I will get bitched at and she will insist she was right.  While I was buying them she kept saying "do you really need that many?"  Naturally I had to say YES!  So I went on a spending spree and bought many a box.  I bought boxes from Hatches Magazine, Cabelas, Scientific Anglers, and Umpqua. I made sure they were all waterproof.  I bought them all in various sizes and configurations so I can see what works and what doesn't.

With so many boxes, I naturally need more flies...........