Desktop Fly Tester & Swim Tank for Fly Tying
Stop Guessing. Start Fishing with Confidence.
Every fly tier has experienced it.
A fly that looked perfect in the vice comes alive completely differently in the water.
Instead of discovering problems halfway through your fishing trip, test and fine-tune every pattern from the comfort of your tying bench.
The PROVING GROUND Desktop Swim Tank lets you instantly see how your flies swim, pulse and track in current, so every adjustment is made before you reach the river.
Whether you're tying steelhead intruders, tube flies, salmon flies or streamers, you'll spend less time guessing and more time fishing with confidence.
Why You'll Love It
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Instantly evaluate fly movement and profile
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Fine-tune materials, weight and proportions before fishing
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Test everything from 0.5" trout flies to 6" intruders
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Compact enough to fit on any tying bench
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Built by fly anglers for fly anglers in Northern BC
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Simple setup in minutes
Version 2.0 Improvements
We've refined every detail based on customer feedback.
✓ Built-in nylon leader guides for easier testing
✓ Raised feet to reduce vibration
✓ Taller side walls to minimize splashing
✓ Improved overall finish and appearance
What's Included
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PROVING GROUND Swim Tank
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120V adjustable flow pump
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Built-in leader guides
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Setup instructions
Flies not included.
Built for Serious Fly Tyers
Whether you're preparing for your next steelhead trip or experimenting with new patterns, seeing your fly swim before it ever reaches the river can completely change how you tie.
Small adjustments in material placement, weight and profile can make a dramatic difference.
The PROVING GROUND Swim Tank helps you make those adjustments at your bench—not on the water.
Specifications
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Dimensions: 16" × 6.25" × 4.25"
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Weight: Approximately 1 kg
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Pump: 120V, 60Hz (US 3-prong plug)
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Cable Length: 67" (1.7 m)
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Fly Capacity: 0.5" to 6"
Proudly manufactured and assembled in Northern British Columbia.
Setup instructions found here:
https://swungflies.com/blogs/blog/proving-ground-desktop-swim-tank-operating-instructions
Customer Reviews
Excellent et bien fait
Great piece of equipment, I love the anchored tube making it a solid piece that just works.
This thing is great! Looked at another brand’s test tank (the only other one out there that I know of) and contemplated just making my own as well. The price of the competitor was a turn off and making my own was going to take time along with still having to spend a little bit. Then I found this tester and at the price point it can’t be beat. Definitely worth not buying all the materials and taking the time to construct my own.
I have just recently gotten into swinging flies for steelhead and along with that tying my own flies. Going along with established recipes leaves you with a good amount of confidence that the fly will swim as it should just so long as you tied it correctly. However, it’s always fun to make your own creation(s) in the hopes it can be that something different that makes a steely come up and grab it right after your buddy stepped through the run right before you without even a bump (That was the exact scenario for the fly pictured below! I dubbed it “The Irishman”). But you never know if it’s going to swim correctly or have the profile you want. This test tank changes that, and it’s pretty awesome watching any fly swim in this. Take a slo-mo video on your phone and you can see every little movement your fly makes. So cool. So much fun. My wife who doesn’t fish and isn’t too keen on my steelhead addiction even likes watching when I test flies!
100% would buy again and worth every penny!
