I have flown many times with large lures and flies in my checked luggage with no problems. As for the TSA rules, they are interpretated very differently by all TSA security agents. And don’t think you can read them the rules you printed online - it won’t help - I have found that out firsthand.
Checked flies, hooks, etc should be fine. Feathers, furs, etc should be fine too unless you are flying internationaly. As for head cement and glue - I have no idea, but I don’t think anyone would stop you for having a bottle of Sally’s Hard as Nails.
No sharp objects are allowed in carry on’s but for check bags you should be fine.
A friend of mine once told me he would send his fly fishing tying items UPS if he knew some one where he was going less likely to get lost and he wouldn’t have to worry about what he could or could not take with him.
mAngler,
I’m sorry, I misread your original post. No restrictions on checked luggage. I have checked my fly tying kit in my suitcase many times without incident. I would suggest you put liquids such as head cement in a ziplock however, because with the change in pressures you can have a leak.
You can always send your stuff UPS, for pickup at the other end at one of their UPS Stores. Post Office has General Delivery Services, but you have to check which Post Offices have General Delievery Windows for Pick-Up, check the National Zip Code Book, at your local Post Office for General Delievery Service in the area you are going to, a Window Clerk can assist you in determining the proper address to place on the box (be sure on all shipments include a “FROM & TO” Address on the outside of the package, as well as a invoice on the inside of the package listing all the items as well as a “FROM & TO” Address.
~Parnelli
“Prior Planning Prevents Poor Performance”
[This message has been edited by Steven H. McGarthwaite (edited 12 May 2005).]
mAngler, I travel 2 to 4 times a month. There is no problem with fly tying Materials or gear in checked baggage.
I had a close call just recently with my luggage. Apparently when they changed my destination city they put on hand written tags , which naturaly got torn off. I had to sweat it out as I had a large fly order in my bag and my Thompson “A”.
Fortunately I got them 2 days later.
Just make sure your bag is tagged properly and you have your claim ticket.
Hope this helps, Jim
We flew into Kalispell last year with bunches of tying gear packed in our checked luggage. The agent opened and inspected our bags right in front of us and sent us on our way. It probably didn’t hurt that we were in a fish friendly place. Then we drove into Canada - again, no troubles.
I recently flew from Sioux Falls, SD to Canon City for a week of rest & fishing via United and carried all of my flies, vest, waders & boots in a bag that I checked as luggage. I carried to reels w/line as carry on. When asked what was in the carry on I told the security agent "fly fishing flies and equipment. I did not take rods as I had been told they had to go as baggage by a friend. I had several rods to use from my son-in-law and his friend.