I have recently been looking at Wheatley fly boxes. I like the traditional old school look and function. I am most interested in the classic 32 compartment dry fly box. It is just a cool box. I just don’t think I could actually shell out over $200 for a fly box even if it lasted for 40 years. I have been doing a little research and have looked at the Wheatley knock-off brands, but I haven’t found anyone who offers a 32 compartment option. Does anyone know of such an animal? If so, I would appreciate some information to push me in the right direction.
I have, and use, an Okuma 16 window box and have found it to be quite adequate. Mine has a flat piece of foam on one side and the windows on the other side. They’re quite a bit more affordable than the Wheatleys. You might want to consider Okuma.
FLY BOX
This one only has 8 compartments but it’s big and there’s about 100 flies in there now.
Cheers,
MontanaMoose
No such puppy! They are all 16 comp. with either flat foam or ripple foam or the old “clips” Bob Marriots has them, “The Fly Shop” has them as do most others. I have searched everywhere for one also and have not found one in a couple years of looking! I bought the ones from the fly shop . they are a brown anodized finish. The Okuma is available in black or silver
I use to collect old fly boxes, but sold my entire collection out a few years back (wish I didn’t now, but oh well).
Any how, I gave my Son an Okuma Fly Box when he graduated from high school.
In my opinion, it’s the best box out there for the price (and only box that I know of).
Here are some picsof his box.
Any how, I gave my Son an Okuma Fly Box when he graduated from high school.
In my opinion, it’s the best box out there for the price (and only box that I know of).
Here are some picsof his box.
Shane,
PM sent…
PS: there are two listed here NIB for $150.00…
http://www.tradenstuff.com/GearList.htm
PT/TB 
I have one each of Wheatley and Okuma compartment boxes. Sad to say, the Okuma is better built, let alone being a better buy. The clips holding the lids tend to give up on their own from time to time, letting lids fly open- and flies to “fly”. Not so Okuma.
Chuck
Cabela’s sells a 40 compartment box. I agree on the Okuma vs Wheatley comparison.
I have a couple Okuma boxes, and for the most part, really like them. However … what do you do to repair a box when the little clip thingie breaks?
When the exchange rate is favorable like it is now, buy your Wheatley boxes directly from Wheatley from their UK website like I do.
http://www.richardwheatley.com/
At the current exchange rate a 32 compartment 1609 will run you about $100. You don’t pay the VAT and the shipping from the UK is really reasonable and doesn’t take too long. You will pay your credit card company an currency exchange fee of a few bucks but you still will save a TON over the inflated fly shop prices.
Wheatley service is excellent too!
I have one (a Wheatley) and it is a pain to maintain but it was a gift from my brother and will stay with me. I would never buy one at the prices today but if you’d like to give a really nice gift to someone it would be a treasure.