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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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…
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!
Does no one dream anymore? I saw this once and said to myself, “Self, one day you will have one of these, and you will have to work hard to fill it, but then you will have flies!”
That really is some beautiful craftsmanship. I probably dream more about being able to make one of those, than having one - although, I wouldn’t turn one down!
flyfishfairwx - Like your rolling cabinet system! Nice set-up.
I have one of the Cabelas bags that come with four empty Plano boxes. I tie everything up that I think I’ll need and fill my four fly boxes that go into my backpack… then I tie everything else I think I might need and put into the four Plano boxes and throw it into the truck also. I’ve never been without something I’ve forgotten, only something someone else had that I didn’t know about!!! You know how that goes…
“why didn’t you tell me about that fly? I could’ve tied some of those up and you wouldn’t have run out!.. why we’d still be fishing… we’d have fish up to our elbows if you’d told me about that fly!!!”
Thanks everyone for the replies - keep 'em coming.
I’ll probably stay with the plastic multi-compartment storage containers but will probably “down-size” as I just picked up some of the Flambeau 4007 boxes which provide 36 compartments per box and they’re only 11" x 7". I’ll use these for my smaller patterns (midges, nymphs) and keep the larger boxes for dries and streamers.
What I like to do is strategically place flies in trees and bushes along the rivers where I fish. Then I don’t have to carry flies with me, I just pluck them from the adjacent foliage. Well, that’s the plan, currently I’m still in the phase of filling my storage areas.
Jeff
P.S. I tend to store them at home either in fly boxes, and in empty hook boxes, mint boxes, and anything else laying around.
