Fly Fishing

jeremy · Location: Portland, Maine

I was reading another post about essential fly fishing gear - and fly boxes came to mind. I wonder what kind of fly boxes people use and recommend? I primarily was using the Orvis Rust proof fly boxes - I liked them because they did infact seem to ward off rust. It seems they are not being made anymore and so I am in the market for a new type of fly box both for fresh and saltwater. For saltwater I was using one of the velcroe type "boxes" with about 30 ziplock type sleeves. I liked this for saltwater because i could thumb through the different sections (kind of like a book) and easily see what flies I had -- and it was good for holding big flies like flatwings and herring flies. The only problem with this type of "box" is that the plastic definately does not allow for the flies to dry -- so rusting becomes and issue if wet flies are put into the plastic sleeves ... So, does anyone have recommendations for fly boxes that

1. are SIMPLE to keep things organized
2. make it easy to SEE all the flies available
3. Limit rusting

PS. that's why i stopped using the foam type boxes and went to the compartment type box - because it seemed that the foam boxes tended to rust more flies.

AKGrayling · Location: Anchorage AK

Compartment boxes that open each compartment individually for dries, skinny one side foam box for nymphs, same type box for larger nymphs/small wooly buggers, bigggg double ripple foam box for big streamers/leeches. Foam is the only way to go in my opinion, its not foam that rusts flies, dont put just-used flies back in the box, put them somewhere else. A lot of times i have a little fly box and throw all my flies in that if i think i will need them. therefore i would only have one fly box to lug around.

jeremy · Location: Portland, Maine

AkGraylling,

Thanks and I agree -- the foam is just so quick -- and good tip about "putting the wet flies somewhere else" -- My friend does the same -- after he uses a fly, he puts it in his shirt pocket - and then at the end of the day he takes all the flies out of his shirt pocket and puts them back into the box... My problem, is laziness. I tried that once --- and ended up forgetting to take all the flies out of my shirt pocket and washing the shirt .. and, let's just say it was a mess. So, I guess my NEED for simplicity, stems from laziness .. and although I have tried -- I am just not cut out for the type of organization of fly boxes that so many of my friends can do. Seriously, I see there fly boxes and all of the nymphs, streamers, dries etc.. are seperated and sorted and lined up neetly --- and my fly boxes tend to be a jumbled mess of rusted hooks and tired feathers .. So, rather than trying to change my ways (which i have tried and can't seem to do) -- i try to find something so stupid simple that at least compliments my tendency for dissorganisation and just tossing flies back into a box ---

A couple friends suggested the System X Boxes -- here is what they wrote -- anyone else have experience with these boxes?"

-----------------------------

"I am into System X boxes lately. And this year they have pre slit foam like C&F has. They are cheap, waterproof and double sided. A good route to go."

"Agreed. The System X boxes are great. The foam is a little close together on most models, so if you are loading up a box with bigger flies, go with the streamer box and you can stack them up nicely."

AKGrayling · Location: Anchorage AK

I have a simple plastic fly box looking thing with a magnet on one side and air vents all over it. It comes with a clip and i clip in onto my vest. it has an easy open button and i pop it open and toss my wet flies on the magnet. the next day the flies are good and dry and i throw them back in my fly boxes or throw them away depending on their condition.

I had a system x fly box awhile back. I didn't like it much. mine wasn't very waterproof and once water got in the water didn't get out. I ended up with a lot of rusty hooks and got rid of that fly box. I think no matter what the box is going to get water in it and a box that water can get out of easily is a better way of making a fly box that prevents rusting. I tend to stick with the double ripple foam.

One fly box i want to try out is the ones with the little nubs and your hooks pinch inbetween the nubs eliminating ripped up foam boxes. Anyboxy have anything to say about those?

Riley

ChrisR · Location: Southeast Massachusetts

J Bone, I like the Orvis Watershed boxes. Reason why? I lose more flies to taking a swim than closing them in the box wet. So I try to dry any flies I use before putting them back into the box. It's a PITA to do it that way. Ventilated boxes did work in that respect. Unfortuantely I take at least two good swims a year that really have the potential of screwing up a lot of my flies. Having not to worry about that is worth the extra time needed to dry flies that I have used for the day. For me at least.

twocan · Posted: Wed 04/15/09 8:33 pm Post subject:

i use the system x boxes so i can see the flies and chose without opening the box. Different types for streamers, drys, etc... Since i am nymphing most of the time i can stuff many flies into a box or 2.

kory_k · Location: New York, NY

I have tried the gamut of fly boxes over the years. Everything from small compartments, to spring loaded compartments to foam to magnetic.

I like to fish everything from trout to saltwater to steelhead and use different boxes for different types of flies.

For trout flies, I used compartments for a long time but found that you could easily lose flies, especially dry flies in windy conditions or if you dropped the box. I also found that if you accumulated a lot of flies especially when you fish rivers with a variety of hatches then you either had compartments too full or had to carry way too many boxes.

Now for my trout flies, I use small C&F micro slit foam boxes for mid size and smaller trout flies. There are individual slots for each fly which allows for good organization and you can see exactly how many of each size and type of fly that you have. This is very helpful when restocking so you know exactly what you are missing. It does require a lot of initial organization, but once you have it done it saves a lot of time in the long run. Another advantage with these boxes is the hackle isn't crushed on dry flies like conventional foam boxes because it sits in a trough between the foam rows. I use the smaller boxes with the flip page for my mid-small trout flies (#12-#24) which have a huge capacity somewhere around 550 flies! This allows you to carry everything you need in only a few boxes. You do need to be careful that you don't lose them though as each box can be worth $1,000 or so when full! I put my name and phone number on them so if i lose one hopefully an honest fisherman will pick them up. These boxes are also very lightweight and float. The new system X boxes with the slit foam are essentially the same thing and are cheaper, they also have a clear lid that you can see through but are a little bulkier in the smaller sizes plus they are cheaper.

For saltwater flies with eyes like clousers and crabs, I use compartment boxes because that seems to be the easiest way to carry a lot of flies compactly as i need to fishing on foot in the surf and jetties and flats.

For saltwater flies that are bigger and have a slim profile, I use the ziploc bag wallets because you can get a lot of flies in and see them easily.

For bigger steelhead flies and tube flies I also use these ziploc bag wallets for the same reasons.

For steelhead flies that are mid sized and with eyes I use the large Scientific Anglers green boxes with flat foam on each side as they allow a large capacity are lightweight and manageable size. Unfortunately scientific anglers doesn't make this box with flat on each anymore.

For wet flies and more traditional steelhead patterns I have a wheatley clip box that works very well but it was a gift, not sure I would have chose it otherwise but i have come to really like it. Similar to C&F you can see exactly what you have and it has a high capacity. I think the C&F or System X boxes would work well for these as well.

For bigger trout flies like terrestrials and streamers, I use the larger C&F boxes with flat slit foam and they work pretty well although they are pretty big and heavy for the amount of flies that they allow you to carry.

I got a little carried away with this, but i can be a little OCD when it comes to flies Laughing

troutaddict1 · Posted: Thu 04/16/09 12:52 pm Post subject:

I'm a big fan of the Cliff boxes. Hold a lot of flies and most have magnetic backdrops where flies that won't fit in the foam just lie around. Very simple, waterproof, and the flies are visible.