C&F Universal System Chest Storage

[@Oholisfliesandfishing]

Please feel free to add some of your suggestions. Hopefully C&F will improve this product in the future. PS: it may seem like fully negative video, bottom line is that i actually like this product. But i think it can be better.

[@Tjk186]

Thanks for this very helpful review Vladimir based on your real-world 'on the water' experience and regular use...I've nearly purchased this product a few times but it just didn't feel right ...I trust your considered opinions and hope that C&F takes your comments and ideas on board ...in my view they will end up with a better product for the money. Season's greetings to you and yours 🎄

[@Oholisfliesandfishing]

Glad it was helpful! I still like it, but foam cutting was annoying. Happy holidays to you too 😊🍻

[@maknifeandrods7701]

Wow that was a great tip. Very nice vid and yea for the money they have outstanding equipment. It last forever.

[@Oholisfliesandfishing]

Thank you for watching, and for the compliment! I agree.. i have two boxes feom them that are in perfect shape after 14 years or so. Newer boxes arent as good i think.

[@Leavenotraceexpeditions]

Thank you kindly for the review. My older style chest box opens sometimes when I move. I guess magnet is so weak. I don't have this new box but your review is very good. Also, tippet spools from RIO, SA or Airflo do not fit into slots, because they are not completely flat. BTW, you accidentally show us all your secret flies 🙂 Cardinal mistake!

[@Oholisfliesandfishing]

Glad you enjoyed it. Are those spools just too large in diameters or thickness isnt appropriate? I am glad to show my flies. I will check in my video statistics how much did people rewind to that part 😂😂

[@Leavenotraceexpeditions]

@@Oholisfliesandfishing Size is OK. RIO and SA spools have small hole in the middle and plastic is sticking out. Those spools can't fit nicely and flat like your spools from the video

[@williamblair2934]

I love the product also. Great idea on the bobbins. I need to put one more magnet in to keep the unit f on opening up accidentally as I go through brush

[@Oholisfliesandfishing]

Great idea! Magnets are i think more convenient than other methods.

[@delawarepro3539]

Great content 👌 nice wrist watch 😎

[@Oholisfliesandfishing]

Thanks! 👍 Its some Citizen that has depth gauge. That was most important for me along with very nice design. And price was pretty affordable.

[@Leavenotraceexpeditions]

@@Oholisfliesandfishing I could swear it is a Rolex.

[@bobnorman5269]

I also added a hack I saw on you tube where I added a piece of Velcro as a strap to help keep it closed better. I love this pack

[@Oholisfliesandfishing]

I have no problems with pack opening during my fishing. Do you like solution with velcro?

[@bobnorman5269]

@ I saw this on a KZbin video by OLD DOMINION TROUT BUM. I like the way he did it and it does make it more secure when walking along the river.

[@tomt5176]

Hi Vladimir. I bought a different brand and style in the past and just didn’t care for it. Yours is definitely better than the one I had, which I already donated to a humanitarian organization so someone else can use it. A vest can be too heavy and warm, so I switched to a hip pack and find that works best for me. C u next time. Ciao.

[@Oholisfliesandfishing]

I dont like hip pack only because it has to be a bit loose so i can toss it around my waist. If loose, it also wiggles it's way a bit down so i keep pulling it up. Which annoys me. But it is one of the Best options. Light mash vest is probably my favorite choice. Or regular vest in colder months

[@tomt5176]

@ I understand. My (Orvis) hip pack has a shoulder strap and does not slide down. Also, it’s much cooler than a vest when it’s warm outside. One problem is when wading deep, the bottom of the bag will get wet so some awareness is needed to keep your stuff dry.

[@Oholisfliesandfishing]

I have simms hip pack and i hate that shoulder strap. It saw into my neck. But for summer its perfect. Especially for south east china where i live. In summer its hotter than hell...

[@Leavenotraceexpeditions]

I also switched to my small Patagonia waist pack and love it. I don't use my older chest pack often.

[@JOBAHT]

Imam istu ovu C&F kutiju i onaj mali sušač za muve verovatno smo ih kupili u isto vreme ili sam ja možda kupio malo posle. Još se drže dobro.

[@Oholisfliesandfishing]

Fly patch i kutije koje smo zajedno uzeli su i dalje u top stanju.... Dobro, susac sam upropastio bas. Al je pena i dalje jaka. Al ove nove pene su losije primetno.

[@scottnock5241]

Vlad good hack.. I can’t use the tip holder cutouts because you can’t find tip it in the US that fit in those cut outs! What kind of tippet are you using in there? I heard Trout Hunter works but can’t find it. I had my Pack completely separate multiple times with the thick foam coming off of the hard plastic! I also bought on Amazon rare earth magnets so that when it does start popping open, I can drill a little hole in it glue a magnet in and fix that problem just saying yeah they changed their foam probably due to cost supply something or other but it’s a different foam now. There are several different types of foam polyethylene, polypropylene, poly blah, blah lean and it’s a different foam that doesn’t expand again.

[@Oholisfliesandfishing]

Thanks 🙏🙏, a friend from Canada also said that tippet spools aren't good fit for the pack. I am using Tiemco spools 30m, stroft 30m spools. I haven't tried RIO or others. I had same issue with plastic separating from the foam. But that was due to hot weather around here. Glue melted. I have no knowledge about foam. Just know how to differentiate between good and bad ones. Current one is good. But less good than old versions. Cheers 🍻🍻

[@RVRRUN00]

Thanks for the review! For the price, I won’t buy it knowing about all the modifications I’d have to make. Too bad their quality has deteriorated!

[@Oholisfliesandfishing]

These modifications are purely personal. But, i do believe i made it more practical. Adding fly patch instead of magnet patch as original has was definitely an improvement. That magnetic thing is total waste of space in this pack Best Vladimir 🍻

[@robgreen6697]

Hi. Brave man using epoxy in general I’d be concerned it may cause splitting in the foam but that just me. May I ask for you to demonstrate the tying of an Irish bumble or invicta really any “traditional” wet fly please? I’m keen to see your approach. I watch Davie tie them of course and that man is magician almost as it looks like the materials just behave. With your videos it’s more technical and each step has thought behind it. Not saying. Davie does not think it all looks a bit effortless for him though. If you can great if no no worries I still like your videos and the books from Gordon. Hope you have a great Christmas.

[@Oholisfliesandfishing]

Hi Rob. I did not know epoxy can damage the foam. I know about superglue, didn't know about epoxy, guess i got lucky here. All those irish flies are something that has fascinated me for years. I find them very beautiful. Never fished any properly tied though. I did some very similar as a kid, and i fished them with great success. Invicta is among first flies i saw when i started my journey, never tied one fully according to the recipe. So, i may try to get some materials for invicta. I have to admit that tying slip wings has been my nemesis for years. I cant tie them without buckling. I am still ok for standards of majority of people. But, i cant accept buckling part. Not for the video at least. Merry Christmas to you and your family Best Vladimir 🍻

[@robgreen6697]

@ Wings….. I find them so hard to get to that standard where they look good, of course once fished they all mash together anyway. I wonder if I don’t squeeze enough when securing or is the base not right.. all theses issues and just marrying them can be difficult on some days.. I took to rolling the wing for invictas as I did not have patience to make them better when I tied them as a youngster, it’s was about fishing anyway. I’d like and will tie some that are destined to be put in a frame and as a reminder when I’m gone…

[@bradreagle6364]

Thanks for the hack. Do you have an address where those tubes can be purchased?

[@bobnorman5269]

I would like a source for those tubes too. I had done the same thing and used some small vinyl tubing which works very well.

[@Oholisfliesandfishing]

Thank you for watching. I have address from the guy in china. Thats where i live. Just try taking any small tube that is smooth. I was thinking tubes from cotton swabs. Just test them before mounting them on the pack.

[@Leavenotraceexpeditions]

@@Oholisfliesandfishing I think ever small plastic tubes from tube flies can be used.

[@TheBeardedTroutsmanPa]

Hopefully they can improve the quality not super stoked on the glue holding it together not sticking together.An it’s a lot of money for what it is but I do love it a nice lightweight pack that can hold plenty of flies.If it lasts 2/3 yrs I’ll be good with that an buy another.

[@Oholisfliesandfishing]

I also hope they will improve it. But i wish it will last more than just a couple of years 🍻

[@troyhorner]

Terrible chest pack.

[@Oholisfliesandfishing]

Whats your most hated part of it?

[@troyhorner]

Flips open too easily, very limited tippet spools fit and too many add ons required to make it function.

[@Leavenotraceexpeditions]

@@troyhornerDon't forget it looks cool on the water and people think we know what we are doing. 🙂