Fly box for bushy dries?

[mcswny]

I've tried so many different fly boxes and no matter what my dry fly hackle/wings always get crushed. I spend all this time trying to tie the best fly I can, only for it to get crushed and dis figured in my boxes. My current selection. It's really frustrating.



The boxes that tend to hold the most bushy/attractor type flies are the top row far left on top row 2nd from right. Those tend to be the boxes that I carry while I'm backpacking and out hiking so I tend to have bigger, attractor flies in them (compared to my other dry fly box bottom row, middle--is my spring creek box so they're all super small and not an issue).

I like these boxes because they're relatively small (albeit, to small) and are great for backpacking and stay organized. The only type of boxes that I can think of are the wheatley style compartment boxes, but my big problem with those are I like my flies to stay organized. I wish Fishpond made them like 1/2" deeper and they'd be perfect.

So my question is what boxes do you like for your dries?

 

[RCF]

I store my flies in boxes like your lower left one. I have over a dozen of them in my storage bag. When I arrive at my fishing destination for the day, I select the ones to be used that day and transfer them to a smaller plastic, compartmented one with 6 to 8 compartments that will fit in my vest pocket. Sometimes 2 smaller ones. At the end of the day/trip I put them back in the larger storage boxes.

 

[mcswny]

I store my flies in boxes like your lower left one. I have over a dozen of them in my storage bag. When I arrive at my fishing destination for the day, I select the ones to be used that day and transfer them to a smaller plastic, compartmented one with 6 to 8 compartments that will fit in my vest pocket. Sometimes 2 smaller ones. At the end of the day/trip I put them back in the larger storage boxes.

This totally makes sense. I think my problem is, I like to be ready to go and not constantly having to select flies. Especially if I'm going to either a blue line, or backcountry freestone river where fly selection isn't as pertinent as say, a spring creek.

 

[RCF]

You should be able to select the dry flies for the day based on current hatches. One box for mayflies and one for caddis/stones.

Other boxes for nymphs, worms, emergers, etc.

After 50 years of fly fishing, I do not need everything I tied, just the dries to match the hatch plus some attractors, just In case...

I fish spring creeks and Freestone creeks primarily when not at home.

Edited to add: If I lose a flybox I only lose some flies not everything I have tied. Nice to know I have backups in the truck.

 

[Long_Rod_Silvers]

Big(er) planos for boat, or walk/wade and general storage.

Then I pull from the bigger boxes to fill up smaller box for backpacking or packing light.

 

[RCF]

Big(er) planos for boat, or walk/wade and general storage.
View attachment 135932
Then I pull from the bigger boxes to fill up smaller box for backpacking or packing light.
View attachment 135933

Nailed It!

 

[Zak]

I bought a few silmalloy Wheaten (edit Wheatley) boxes off eBay, some with spring lidded containers and some just a clamshell with foam. I like the simple clamshells better. Both types have enough space to not crush my bigger dries.

I also like the "Days Worth" boxes, I forget who makes them. Edit: Cliff

 

[mcswny]

I'm sensing a theme.

 

[mcswny]

I bought a few silmalloy Wheaten boxes off eBay, some with spring lidded containers and some just a clamshell with foam. I like the simple clamshells better. Both types have enough space to not crush my bigger dries.

I also like the "Days Worth" boxes, I forget who makes them.

Zak, could you do me a favor and measure the depth of those boxes? Mind taking a photo?

 

[Zak]

Zak, could you do me a favor and measure the depth of those boxes? Mind taking a photo?

Sure. Not near them right now, though.

 

[Long_Rod_Silvers]

I'm sensing a theme.

 

[Long_Rod_Silvers]

I'm sensing a theme.

As much time as you spend in the woods, I'd make a box of dries that covers 90% of what you wanna do. Upper elevation dries on the west coast dont need to be that specific, generally speaking. Gnats, ants, wulffs, humpies, stimulators, EHC, adams and your good for the hills. Can throw in some damsels and/or emergers if your gonna be on a lake.

Makes it almost grab and go.

 

[mcswny]

As much time as you spend in the woods, I'd make a box of dries that covers 90% of what you wanna do. Upper elevation dries on the west coast dont need to be that specific, generally speaking. Gnats, ants, wulffs, humpies, stimulators, EHC, adams and your good for the hills. Can throw in some damsels and/or emergers if your gonna be on a lake.

Makes it almost grab and go.

This is EXACTLY how I roll. Just wanting the box that can hold them without destroying them.
This is what an ideal fly selection for what I'm talking about is--i just need it like 1/2" deeper. I had this on a 4 day backpacking trip and used a version of most flies I brought, but at the same time didnt feel like I was missing something.

You can see some mashed to shit wings and hackle . I just don't get why there isn't many deeper options out there. It's as if anglers only need boxes to carry their euro nymphs.

 

[mcswny]

These are looking like potential options (albeit a bit more than I was hoping to spend).

Getting a 4" and 6" could be nice depending on the length of the trip. the 6" deep would definitely work, im just curious what the depth of the regular 6" is though.

Easy Grip Foam

Richard Wheatley easy grip fly boxes for storage of salmon and trout flies

richardwheatley.co.uk

 

[RCF]

As @Long_Rod_Silvers posted, and I have used for decades, plano/plastic boxes are great and also cheap. Craft store is your friend...

 

[mcswny]

As @Long_Rod_Silvers posted, and I have used for decades, plano/plastic boxes are great and also cheap. Craft store is your friend...

Totally get it, it's just not what I'm looking for. I prefer to keep my flies a bit more organized while on the water. Happy to keep my excess in plano boxes at home/car.

 

[RCF]

So just have more plano boxes. Spring creek, blue lines, Freestone, high altitude, spring, summer, fall, winter, etc. LOL

 

[Zak]

I bought a few silmalloy Wheaten (edit Wheatley) boxes off eBay, some with spring lidded containers and some just a clamshell with foam. I like the simple clamshells better. Both types have enough space to not crush my bigger dries.

I also like the "Days Worth" boxes, I forget who makes them. Edit: Cliff

 

[Zak]

The Cliffs Days Worth is just about perfect for a wet wade up a stream. The Mighty Tuff box lives up to its name, it's been used and abused for 25 years. I didn't really like the boxes with little lidded containers, too fiddly with a rod under one arm. The Wheatley silmalloy box is classy, light, and sturdy and feels good in my hand.

 

[mcswny]

So just have more plano boxes. Spring creek, blue lines, Freestone, high altitude, spring, summer, fall, winter, etc. LOL

No, when I say I organized, I mean I like them in slits (while on the river), not just floating in an open compartment (ie plano). They're easier for me to see, and If I drop the box while it's open on the river, I dont lose everything.