Fly Boxes

[A Polinger]

I have been looking for some new fly boxes and I have seen prices from $6 to $70 not including your large saltwater boxes.
So I came up with this fun question,

How much do you or did you spend on your fly boxes?

 

[dcabarle]

Depends on the box. Anywhere from Free - about 85$. I like the C&F Design boxes the best, but I do carry Wheatly boxes too. I've had them for years so I'm not about to get rid of them.

The problem with Fly boxes if you think about what you're really getting these days... A piece of plastic for 35 bux. I know we've had this conversation before, but hell... it is just a box that holds hooks and feathers...

 

[Pete]

Most of my fly boxes fall into the "under $20" group.

However, I have a Wheatly (my favorite), and a Richardson (used for storage). They were both bought in the 1970s, but at today's prices they would be in the "More than $70" class.

 

[fcch]

I use the plano boxes with foam inserts. Inexpensive and they work for me.

 

[C&R]

Not that there's anything wrong with them , its just that I got tired of having many little cheap boxes. I'm a neat freak and like to have everything super-organized so I recently splurged for a pair of C&F large waterproof boxes. More for convenience than the waterproof feature. The two boxes fit perfectly in the two large front pockets of my Fishpond Gore vest. I like the pop-in replaceable inserts as well as the optional flip page that adds even more storage. These boxes hold a ridiculous number of flies, and if you think about it, the per-fly cost is probably better than some of the lesser expensive priced models.

One box is for my streamers, wets, egg patterns, caddis (dry, pupa, & larva). The other box is for mayfly dries, mayfly nymphs, midges, tricos. I have one extra insert that contains only terrestrials (hoppers, ants, etc) and easily pops in for late summer fishing when I need it.

Since I don't want to deal with putting used flies back into the micro-slits streamside, I use the two internal foam ripple patches that come with the Fishpond vest. When I get home, I hang the vest up, open the zippered pockets, the inserts flop down to a 90 degree angle, and I let the flies air dry over night. Fluff them up the next day and back in the fly boxes they go (using tiny pliers).

Two boxes, that's it. For me its peace of mind.

As far as SR flies go, I use my crush-proof Morrell boxes. IMO, they're very well suited for those conditions. Big flies (size 2-8), heavy gauge hooks, possibility of cracking or even losing an expensive box if you trip while chasing your fish, etc.

 

[JeffR]

I use the Down's Chest fly box by Downstream products. I have it w/ 4 boxes/drawers attached. One of boxes is set up for dry flies, one for streamers and 2 I use for nymphs . 2 of the boxes I have attached the C&F inserts w/ slits.

Used it for about 4 years now and still like it. When I feel like it I can often go w/o a vest.

 

[Scott]

I have a bunch of SA boxes with the raised rib foam inserts. I also use separate boxes for dries, streamers, nymphs ,etc. Most importantly, they also have a little tab with a hole for attaching a lanyard, or keeper.

They float too, but I suspect most do, even the aluminum ones.

Even the big ones are about $20 or so, so they're not too pricey.

Cheap or not, the real value of any fly box is what's inside. That's why I like ones I can attach to my vest so when I drop them, they stay with me.

 

[HydeLowRider]

My favorite -- and it covers all my needs at a moment's notice.

 

[C&R]

Some macro shots (f/4) of one of my SA fly boxes (with flip-page insert).

 

[theartoflee]

I am with HL I have had a Richardson Chest box the Joe Humphrey model almost as long as I have been fishing. I have modified it to best suit my needs and it works well. When it comes to streamers I have one large box that fits all my trout streamers.

When i venture to the SR I put all my tube flys i.e. egg sucking leeches, popsicle flys, etc in a zip lock baggy. I also have another large fly box that houses my unmentionable flies.

 

[C&R]

I am with HL I have had a Richardson Chest box the Joe Humphrey model almost as long as I have been fishing.

Never bothered looking into a Richardson. I had a Wright & McGill chest pack for a season (which is nothing compared to a Richardson) and went back to a vest because I couldn't deal with the pressure against the chest/stomach. Maybe it was my :beer1: belly.

 

[sandfly]

I have to many boxes all kinds all sizes..I even have some specifically for each strream I fish locally..

 

[JeffK]

I make up special boxes for different streams and seasons, so I mainly use Plano boxes from WalMart now. Like little hard plastic ones too. Most of my boxes are smaller these days since I don't take that many flies afield in a day and like to travel light. However, I got thousands of flies at home to make up the boxes.

 

[Fishin Technician]

Old Sci-Angler the gray ones.......and the reel (REAL) Wheatley's for Dry's and Salmon flies..........maybe a few old Orvis plastic ones that does not smell like stuff that you do not want your flies to smell like F/T

 

[Fly Guy]

I like the C&F boxes. I have a few and change the inserts to match the type of fishing I'm doing. If it's dries and streamers I can switch to them. If it's nymphs and streamers I put those inserts in. Very easy for me to be flexible.

 

[irish1]

I use candy tins like an empty 'Altoids' mint container. They are small (about 2-1/2" X 3-3/4") I just place a bit of ripple foam in them. They fit very well in the smaller pockets of my fly vest and the outside pockets of my backpack.

Plus the mints make my breath "minty fresh"

 

[DoubleHaul]

Be sure to write your name & number inside and on the outside of the box. Just in case you loose it, Most of us are about half honest so you have a 50/50 shot of getting it back.

 

[Trouser Trout]

Be sure to write your name & number inside and on the outside of the box. Just in case you loose it, Most of us are about half honest so you have a 50/50 shot of getting it back.

Kind of like when Yogi Berra said, "90% of baseball is half mental".

 

[redietz]

I have boxes in every category listed, from Sucrets or Altoids boxes up through Wheatlys, with just about everything in between.

 

[WBDluver]

I am a fly box junkie and need intervention. I am forever in serch for the perfect fly box, the C&R design i like the best so far. (until something new comes out)

I need help, is there a support group I can join??

 

[Randyflycaster]

I like small, simple and lightweight.

Randy

 

[skipper3245]

I have a flambeau box that holds over 1000 flies, but that stays on the boat. I like to just use those plastic containers that fly shops give you for free. Never has given me a problem, and its easy. Just bring the flies with you that day that you need, or have your stash in your car. Its not like your gonna be out in December and be like o shoot, I forgot a salmonfly. You dont need every fly you own with you.