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Anthony Dawson Fly Boxes

Reviewed by Terry Lawton

I know from my own efforts at making wooden fly boxes just how difficult it is. It's a tedious business routing and finishing the inside, and then there's the fun of making sure the two halves match when you shape and finish the outside. Fitting the tiny hinges and fastener is also a fiddle. I used yew which is a wood with lovely grain and coloured streaks and patterns.

Anthony T Dawson is to be complemented on the standard of workmanship, based on the two examples that I have seen, one in oak the other in mahogany. The fit and finish (the wood is oiled) is excellent, the hinges are fitted correctly and there are two neat grooves to help open the box. I particularly like the magnetic catches: they work well, cannot be seen and contribute to the smooth exterior of the boxes. My only slight disappointment is that I would have thought that the capacity of the box could be a little better, if there was less wood around the recesses. The boxes are fitted with replaceable polyester foam inserts. Wooden boxes may not be the lightest but they do float!

Something else that makes the boxes stand out is a laser engraving service. You can have your name engraved on the lid, a company or club logo or even a coat of arms. Very smart.

The boxes are available in salmon and trout sizes and are made from mahogany, oak, English elm or American black walnut. Prices range between £30 and £35 for trout boxes and £37 and £43 for the salmon box, which is not available in oak.

Sizes are 168 x 85 x 26mm and 190 x 92 x 35mm.

Anthony T Dawson can be contacted at www.tonydawson.com