Just wondering what type of fly box/container you keep your clousers in? Looking for a new or better way of storing them. Have tried the plano tackle trays and morrell fly boxes and am not satisfied. Thanks, Gary
“Fox Box” (salmon/bass/salt model)
I originally bought it for another use but quickly determined its best use (for me) was for Clousers and bass bugs.
Negatives: heavy, a bit ugly :? , and not widely distributed
Positives: extremely tough, nothing to corrode, secure latch, no foam
It’s very deep (1.75"), so there’s never an issue with smushed flies. Hooks hold securely (upright) in the poly clips. I’ve never had a problem with any flies slipping.
It appears very similar to the “Bug Luggage” boxes that are more widely marketed. I seem to recall the Fox Box being heavier and with a better hinge.
Feather-Craft lists them here http://www.feather-craft.com/2007MAster … sp?page=34
I believe the trout model received a mixed reaction, but the salmon/bass/salt model has really worked fine for these bigger flies.
A minnow bucket…
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Only kidding…
Cabela’s sells an inexpensive fly box that comes in various configurations; among which is a “nubby tack” undivided box. The nubby tack does hold larger hook sizes pretty well. If that doesn’t float your boat you can remove the nubby stuff and put in plain sheet foam.
I use plain sheet foam in an undivided box for 99% of my streamers and wets. Despite the fact it wears out over time; it is easily replaced.
You can see the box [url=http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/item-link.jsp_A&_DAV=MainCatcat20431-cat20550&id=0001410314083a&navCount=3&podId=0001410&parentId=cat20550&masterpathid=&navAction=push&catalogCode=IH&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat20550&hasJS=true:c5e03]here[/url:c5e03].
BTW - IF you are interested and can wait; these Cabela’s boxes go on sale OFTEN.
Truth be told I have tried may different boxes and now keep most of my saltwater flies in plastic Plano type boxes. Otherwise they just get loose in anything clip or foam style box.
jed
I have used smaller plano 6 compartment boxes. I have used regular foam fly boxes with and without ripples. The only box that I have used and not been happy with is a flat foam box from Orvis. I doesn’t seem to hold them as well as one with softer foam. Heck, I have even put a few in a plastic bag and put them in a shirt pocket. I also have one of those sheep skin lined fly wallets from LLBean. Very nice and very classy. But not that practicle.
Cliff’s Bugger Barn.
Double-ditto on the Bugger Barn, the best
I have one of each size “Fox Box” mentioned above. I really like them. I would have more of them but they are so dang expensive.
For local work from boats, I use a FlyTrak box ( www.flytrak.com ). Great product with magnetic clips that hold the fly.
When traveling and have significant weight restrictions, I use those binders with ziplock bags that bass anglers use for spinnerbaits or plastic worms.
When float tubing I use a a small plano box with a few flies.
When surf fishing, I have a sheep wool patch sewn into the inside of my little chest pack and just store the flies in that (barbs crushed ahead of time so they come out easier).
Crash,
I carry them a couple of ways, just a few in a foam box etc. with other streamers in a “just in case box” when planning on fish mostly dries or other stuff.
But when I plan to fish streamers mostly, I use the same system that I use for stripers here in salt. I use a cheap 6 compartment box, but put flies like clousers, deceivers etc. in 1 1/2"x 8" plastic sleeves. You can fit a ton of flies in the slots this way without tangling everything up.
Just don’t put wet flies back in the sleeves.
Hope this helps.
peregrines
I use the Infinite Divider System or Tuff-Tainer from Tap Plastics http://www.tapplastics.com/shop/product.php?pid=225&. Prices are good and they work great.
Old video tape boxes w/a strip of foam and double sided tape.
Haven’t read the posts but has anyone suggested a ‘minnow bucket’? :lol:
Deezel
Bamboozle took it before you did, Deezel.
Best way to store Clousers and other flies for warmwater and the salt is in the soft-sided binder bags sold for the bass guys to store plastic baits and spinnerbaits in. Utility boxes are no good as your flies will slide around and end up curled over with a perminant bend in them much of the time. By putting each fly into a small plastic ziplock type bag and then stored in the larger zipper bags (sorted by color, pattern, species or whatever) you will fit a million more flies into the same space a few standard fly boxes hold and ALL will be perfectly stored with no damage to them ready at a moments notice. Empty bags and used flies are simply set into the bag to be stored properly after a day on the water with flies rinsed, bagged and dried.
Yes this takes a few more seconds to get your fly out BUT you will be able to carry more, make that far more flies in a small bag and they will be kept in great shape.
I have tried about every box out there and have found this method to be the best (for me) and many who have fished with me have converted to this method after seeing just how slick it is : )
Another great bonus is that rain and boat spray (even salt) will do nothing as all flies are sealed in their bags then the larger zipper bags and YUP it will float if it falls overboard : )
Here is the bag I carry most of my warmwater & saltwater flies in
Here it is open
While it only measures 13" X 11" X 3" it holds hundreds and hundreds of flies. Currently I’d consider it very lightly stocked (too many fish chewing flies that have not been repllaced yet) and yet it currently has over 375 flies in it from 3/4" Glass minnows to 14" Billfish flies in it.
You can get these binders for under $30 and extra bags are like $5 - $8 so it’s a cheap investment to store a ton of flies in that can all be seen and quickly accessed. You can get the various sized ziplocks at craft stores or have your local shop order them from Wapsi Fly.
Crash13…
I use a C&F Waterproof box model CF-3566.
They sound like they are pricy but once in Belize I had one fly out of the boat as we were going full bore. (Stupid me had it on the seat next to mine.)
We turned around and it took us ten minutes to find it floating in the water.
Considering that it contained about 60 Clousers or approximately $120.00 worth of flies, I consider them worth the price.
They also greatly inhibit corrosion by sealing out saltwater.
You can often find them on eBay for much less than MSRP.