Some of you take your vises and materials on the road,
to tie that special fly to catch that special fish on
that special body of water. Trouble is you don't want
to pack up the whole store, every time you head out on
the road so, here is a Tying Tip, to cut down on the
hassle and clutter.
Thread, Tinsel, and Wire
Instead of taking spool after spool of thread, tinsel and
wire; take smaller amounts that can fit into a mint tin or
small box. For this you use sewing machine spools and load
the thread, tinsel, or wire you need from your main source,
onto them. The spools will fit on a small midge size bobbin.
(Note: Actually the Sewing Machine Spools are called Bobbins,
but since we already have a Bobbin to tie the flies with,
having two different bobbins in the same article would be
confusing.)
Hooks and Dubbing Material, and other stuff
Two words, CD Wallet, okay CD is two words for Compact Disc.
Three words, then Compact Disc Wallet. But the point is, CD
Wallets are great for storing hooks, dubbing material, and
other stuff (biots, jungle cock, ect). I could tell you
they make great storage containers for Tapered Leaders,
but this is a Tying Tip column, so I won't.
Capes, Tail Feathers, Marabou, and Hair
Zip Lock Plastic Storage Bags. Great for storage at home
and away from home. I like to strip the saddle feathers
and sort them according to hackle size and store them in
the short (snack size) zip locks bag. Hair, again take
a few small patch of a deer, elk, and calf hair in a
(sandwich size) zip lock bag. I place all of the about
in one large (freezer size) zip lock bags. I place my
capes in a together in a large zip lock bag also. Don't
forget the Peacock Herl, and some Soft Hackle.
Tools and Other Implements of Destruction
I place, my bobbins, bodkins, scissors in a tin to protect
them from damage. My vise would be wrapped in a piece of
cloth to protect it while traveling.
Case for all the Stuff
Now you need a Carrying Case to haul this modest
amount of fly tying gear. Something that is sturdy,
light, and secured with latches. Most of all, it has
to cost nothing or, as close to nothing as possible.
The best carrying case for fly tying gear, I found at a
Garage Sale. It was a wooden box with mitered corners,
hinges and two latches. Total cost $1.50. Of course you
would be hard pressed to find such a deal. So go to the
Liquor Store, around the holiday time and by one of those
nice expensive wine gift boxes. You keep the box, and you
have three nice Christmas Gifts to give to some very close
friends. Besides it is traditional when you are invited
to dinner at this time of year to bring a bottle of wine for
the host and hostess. That is a win-win-win situation.
How you set up the inside of the box is up to you, and each
person has their own ideas, so go for it...Then when you go
fishing, you will have, "One (fly tying box) for the Road."
~Parnelli
Please check out the Fly Tying Section, on the
Bulletin Board, on FAOL too.
If you have any questions, tips, or techniques; send them along.
Someone else thought up most of this material before we did,
they just forgot to tell anyone about it. Or else we just
forgot about it, while learning something else. Let us
share with each other, all the things we know!
~ Steven H.
McGarthwaite (Chat Room AKA Parnelli)
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