Not having lot of exposure to a bunch of other tyers to pick up these sort of ideas from I come to this group with humility (do you see the hat in my hand?) and reverence. 
I know that there are “systems” available commercialy to cart fly tying gear around in.
My question being : Who has what for an idea, that I wont have to get a small loan for, to carry my gear in so it wont get smashed ,squashed ,mangled or other wise ruffled?
Ive tried a plano tackle box ( too small for the spools) ,an army canvas tool bag
(squashed feathers, stuff all mixed together), a plastic bag (desperation setting in), my gym bag (looks soooo empty,and everything just bounces around in it).
Any thoughts would be welcome.
Thanks,
Perch
I am not sure what all you intend to pack, but, you could try the zip shut tackle bags/boxes that the bass fishermen use to carry there plastic worms, spinnerbaits, crankbaits, etc. in. They are shaped similiar to a small attache case and have a 2 way zipper and once opened they have several individual heavy duty plastic leafs in them that zipper shut and have eyelets on the bottom of them which fit into the bag like a loose leaf notebook. You can just flip through the individual bags, like looking at a book, and when you come to the one you want, just click open the ring binder and remove that one bag and snap the binder closed. I think Wal-Marts still sells them if not, Cabela’s or Bass Pro.
Hopefully, my description is clearer than mud and you know what I am referring to.
Just a thought
You might try the Orvis Safe Passage Tier?s Bag A little pricey at 95.00 but it is a good bag. John
Another suggestion or something you can look at:
On the “For Sale” board “flyfishingmark” has a “JW Outfitters TOTL Tying Bag” that is a good buy if it is not already sold. I have purchased fly tying material from Mark and he has “top of the line” material and equipment at very good prices and a very good person to deal with.
perch,
I carry my tying stuff in an old briefcase.
Steve
Same here.
Why not use one of those plastic storage boxes that are sold in most “marts” and in a wide variety of sizes?
awww you beat me to it
chris
perch,
A ‘Stanley’ yellow and black rolling tool chest. It’s about 26" H, 18" W and 12" D, has 2 separate tiers, a tray, external pocket and swivel tray. It holds a lot of stuff and sells for less than $30.
http://www.stanleytools.com/catalog_ima … _thumb.jpg
Deez
Last year I saw Al and Gretchen Beatty tie at the Idaho Fish-In. I swear they had the coolest set up I’ve ever seen. They had a roll up device with plastic zip lock bags in it (velcro’d I think). There were all manner of furs, hackle and dubbing in there. Home made item, it was. Pretty darn nifty.
Gonna have to try that one.
VEE, my dear wife, has a Fsih-Pond Coyote bag that I got her for some holiday last year. She loves the thing, but she doesn’t carry the amount of stuff I do.
She contingency packs clothes, I contingency pack tying supplies.
Now I gotta get a refresher from Al and Gretchen.
REE
I use a scrapbooking bag to carry my tying stuff in when traveling. I bought it for my wife a few years ago and she upgraded to an even bigger one. I got it at Jo-anns with a coupon for $50, regularly $100. It has wheels, telescoping handle, some pockets and the whole top unzips for easy access. Works great for me.
good luck,
Gary
Thanks for all of the good ideas fellows.
You’ve given me a lot of ideas to think about.
Perch
Have you looked at this one … it used to retail for $70-100.
http://www.flyhatch.com/xq/ASP.results/d.FAB/results.htm
William Joseph Fly Tying Kit - http://www.williamjoseph.net
Can be found on sale at http://www.sierratradingpost.com/p/9801689,72762_.html
Highly recommend this one… Lot’s of well organized space. Good for carrying fly-tying gear on fishing trips.
mAngler
I found a craft organizer on sale at Joann’s for under $30 that works great. It consists of a heavy duty nylon case that holds 6 plastic PLANO style storage bins. Many pockets and zippered compartments as well. All I did was cut out some of the dividers in the storage bins to give me some larger compartments.
I also store a lot of my feathers and furs in a file box purchased atOffice Max. The box is designed for 8 1/2 X 11 file folders. There are all kinds of plastic and cardboard file folders avialable. The ones for buisness cards or baseball cards are just right for small stuff like Tiemco hook packages or cards of chenille. The big pleated pocket ones are good for whole hackle necks and thick fur patches.
For yearsI have been satisfied with a well designed attache case that is about 4" deep. I use it for travel and demonstration tying, it is even big enough to hold a suitable lamp plus extension cord. Cost was about $3 in a thrift store. I carry everything in heavy duty ziplock bags and sealable plactic ware. It aids in organization, but most important it acts as a deterant to insect pests. There are many commercial products that either seal poorly, or will be effected by the use of moth crystals. Be careful of what you trust collection of fur and feathers to, appearances can b deceiving.
My tools go in a zippered leather folder that was made for computer repair tools. I picked that up at a surplus store for less than a buck.
For tying night or demos when I know what I’m going to tie, I have a gatemouth toolbag that holds the vise, tool folder, various nail polishes, plastic boxes of thread, floss and wire. Two magnetic hook pallets by C&F hold the small standard trout hooks I use. Then I put the labeled ziplocs that hold smaller ziplocs sorted into either feathers, hair, or synthetics. I only put into this toolbag what I know I’m going to use.
For times when I don’t know what I’m going to tie, the majority of my tying possessions will fit into a wheeled rectangular carry-on. It was marketed as a school book carrier and has clear plastic panels in front to see the contents, and back pack straps in back. I find the backpack feature handy when the parking lot is snowy or wet. The rest of the bag is heavy duty black cordura. It seems bottomless at times, so it’s a good thing that I label my materials bags. If I take the vise off it’s pedestal, the parts fit nicely into the clear front pockets along with the tool folder. I got this on super duper clearance at TJ Maxx or Marshall’s or something for around $25. Before it was my tying bag, it toted ginormous grad school textbooks for several years. It owes me nothing now.
Be advised that whatever size your fly tying “purse” is, your materials will multiply to fill it. This extends to your tying area and your tying room as well. The small, purposeful bag that I carry when I know what I want to tie is small for good reason. It keeps me from carrying too much stuff and straining myself. My purse purses range from lunch box to envelope size for these reasons. I hope a woman’s perspective here is useful to you.
Bingo! That’s much like what I have, only better. I got my big black case (5 Plano box capacity) at Michael’s. Since it was sold as an artist’s bag, it cost $10 more than Kengore’s.
Ed