Fly Storage

[skondolf]

I'm curious how everyone stores their tied flies.

Currently I have those plastic Plano boxes that have the adjustable slots in them - I can get 24 compartments per box. I put my flies in there and then dig out what I want to fill my fly boxes. However these things do take up a fairly good amount of space and when I go on a trip there's a lot of room taken up by these things. So, I got thinking maybe I should just buy more fly boxes and put all my patterns directly in the fly boxes as they're much smaller and I could just grab the boxes that contained the patterns I wanted when I went to the stream. but then I'm thinking the Plano boxes have a bunch more room in them and the flies won't get as crushed.

As usual I'm overanalyzing all this and making it more complicated than it needs to be but I'm a flyfisherman - that's what we do right?

I searched this forum before asking this question figuring there'd be a bunch of info available but I didn't really find anything - maybe my search words weren't the right ones.

So, what are some of your opinions?

[Tig]

You can get a Plano fishing bag with four of the boxes in them. The bag is about 19" by 12". Doesn't take up much space at all and you can put a lot more "stuff" in the bag. By my calculations that's 96 idfferent flies and about two dozen per compartment (depending on size of fly). I throw mine in the truck every time I go. I 'make up' a fly box at the river. If I need something else it's right there in the truck.

[tailingloop]

I use the big Plano 3700 Stowaway adjustable boxes. I have two dozen packed with flies ranging from size 22 to 8/0. I do not take these on trips. Prior to a trip fill the fly boxes I intend to use on the water with the patterns I need. I will fill 1-3 Stowaway 3618 or 3455 boxes with re-loads. These stay in the truck or hotel room. Larger bass and saltwater flies go into those worm binders with zip lock bags that the bass guys use.

[FishnDave]

Here's what I've got going on these days:












After having lost a couple boxes full of flies, I've taken to adding my address label to the inside of the lids of each box. If I lose these, it at least gives the finder a chance to return them to me.

[Thunderthumbs]

I keep mine in fly boxes and try to keep them stocked as I loose flies. I have a tote in the shed that has all my saltwater flies and one plastic plano type containter for junk flies. I find it's easier to grab the fly box I need versus having to sift through containers to pick out the ones I want and then end up putting them into a fly box anyway.

TT.

[SteveP]

Plano boxes for overflow (after the boxes I fish out of are full) I have about 20 fly boxes in different sizes and configurations, and somewhere around 10 large plano boxes for overflow.

Steve

[Flyfish Dog]

Just picked up 3 pack of 5 of those old clear VHS boxes brand new never opened at a local Goodwill. Thrilled to find these as they make nice fly boxes once you put 6mm craft foam on one side.

[Shadow]

Due to possible mosture in the boxes I always put in a couple of those small "silica" packets to stop possible rust issues. A nice lady at Walmart pulled a double handfull of them out for me from the leather purses in the leatrher department.

[Night Angler1]

I tye alot of flies each year... and Im always trying to find a way to save space...

Yes plano boxes are bulky.. but handy... I use for small flies of a combination of streamers..
I also use little plastic baggie to help (so I can stack the bags) .. for midges, scud, worms.. ect.
I have also started using those storage box that can stack
3 draws in each.. I have 4 .. so thats 12 draws and when stacked they are about 4 foot tall and 2 foot wide
The bigger boxes I use for big streamers... and store them in zip-lock bags...
This have save time and space... when Im looking for a fly/flies... I know right where to find them
this also save space on the tying desk as well..

[WWKimba]

I actually use some pencil boxes designed to be put in a 3-ring binder for my storage. I bought these at the dollar store and lined them with 3/8" foam insulation strips. They are about 5" X 11" X 1/2" and look like theyed work better as a fly box than a pencil box!