Bug Box Review from "FLY ROD & REEL"
Sept, 1993 issue.

The Bug Box as reviewed in FLY TACKLE DEALER (Publishers of FLY ROD & REEL) The trade magazine for the makers and sellers of fly fishing equipment Show Issue Sept, 1993 Fly-tying goodies

I've never been crazy about fly-tying cases. They're either too small to carry half of what I need, or so chunky that I feel like I'm hauling around a piece of bedroom furniture. But now there's the Bug Box from Creekside. It's about the size of a small suitcase or large briefcase- fine for lugging around. And at 21x16x6 1/2 inches (and 16 1/2 pounds), it does hold everything I need.

The box is made from "Apple Core Plywood"- the trade name for half-inch, nine-ply, maple-veneer stock- which is about as close to beautiful as plywood gets. There are no gaps, no filler; the stuff looks like it came from a plywood tree. The dado joints are glued and clamped for strength and durability, and the simple teak-oil finish gives a pleasing, natural blonde tone. Molded brass covers protect the corners of the lid and base provide structural integrity to the chest itself; lying flat or standing, the chest rests on little rubber feet.

A piano hinge secures the lid, and runs all the way across the box, to distribute stress evenly. The single handle is molded of plastic and comfortable. The outside hardware (corners, hinge, handle plates and latches) is all brass and secured by screws, 60 in total. This baby could outlast it's owner.

The layout inside makes organization a snap- no easy feat in a travel box. The lid has four 3/4" - wide fabric/elastic bands (running horizontally) secured by four vertical strips of oak; ideal for necks, saddles, quills or any long packaged material. And the elastics are adjustable; just back out the screws and tug on a strap to loosen or tighten it.

The base is divided into seven compartments, six of which are covered by three brass-hinged, 1/4" plexiglas doors. One of these cubbyholes had 16 wooden dowels fixed into the base for spools of thread, floss and such. The beauty of this layout is that everything is visible (and secured) at all times.

The last (and biggest) of the base compartments measures 12x7 inches. Like the lid, it has oak and elastic bands, these for holding tools. This section is covered by a piano-hinged lid of 5/8-inch oak, which swings out to become a visible platform. One side has nine holes to hold tools while tying.

Overall the Bug Box is unpretentious and wonderfully functional. It's as attractive as it needs to be, but not pretty- you might call it the pickup truck of fly-tying travel chests.