I was talking to my parents about fly tying and stuff and they ended up letting me design and build my own fly tying bench. Right now, I only have a couple pieces of info/ideas. At maximum it can be 5 1/2’ long. Other than that there aren’t many rules. It can be as high as the ceiling, but I just think I’ll add some cabinets and stuff above. Here’s the thing, I want to hear from you guys about your desks. How deep? Why? Positives? Negatives? Also, any creative ideas to incorporate? I already have an idea for a dubbing cabinet, pegboard with the little hangers, and hang the bagged dubbing by type. That’s pretty much my only idea. So, any help would be fantastic!
Not the best but the cheapest and quickest bench is is a 2x4 ribbon screwed to the wall at the right height. Put plastic box-store drawer towers at the corners. Then go to the local lumber yard and buy a damaged solid core door. Cut it down to 24" (I like kitchen counter width) and put the scratched side down, cut edge against the wall. Project cost less than $75. I can get a (damaged) $200 door for $20 bucks or so. Drawer towers are about $25 bucks each at Costco.
Check out the link below- if you look through the menus there is a section called fly tying bench database. You may pick up some ideas you would like to incorporate.
Can my wife talk to your parents??? 
I am trying to get a rolltop desk to replace the corner of the computer desk and it is a no-go. 
Also, look at the desk they sell at Orvis. It is a nice desk and looks like a piece of furniture. It’s not real big and cumbersom and closes up when your done. You can also build the box that goes with it for 1/2 of what they want or less. That is what I would have if I could. Here are the links.
DESK-http://www.orvis.com/store/product.aspx?pf_id=1T1R
BOX-http://www.orvis.com/store/product.aspx?pf_id=90K4
HOOK TOWER-http://www.orvis.com/store/product.aspx?pf_id=4E43
As far as depth goes, make it no deeper than you can reach from your tying chair. having to stand up to reach things is just not fun.
Eric