Fly Boxes the Fly Fishing Nemesis

[Danoinark]

Have you ever found the PERFECT fly box? One that won't crinkle your hackle, oblitirate your feathers, mutilate your wooley's? That perfect box when you line it with midges and scuds the bugs stay in place without falling out or turning this way and that. The one all purpose box that when you open it in the wind it doesn't take all of your freshly tied morsels and sweep them downstream. I haven't and I am not sure there is one. I have tried compartment boxes, soft and ripple foam, nubby tack, magnetic pads, combination of all of those, my list is endless. I have enough fly boxes to open my own Dano's Fly Box Etc. But I have not been able to find the MOST EXCELLENT fly box. I need your help. Is it asking to much to find one box that does it all? Small compartments for tiny midges and nymphs, ripple foam patchs for streamers, more compartments or some adequate way of carrying drys and soft hackles. Now many of you will probably say the C and F boxes. I have looked closely at them, but I am not convinced they do all that they say. I have never seen any kind of foam (slit) that will hold a tiny fly without it becoming dislodged.

So what do you do to solve this mystery of the PERFECT FLY BOX?

Signed

Desperate in the Ozarks

Dano

[Randall]

dano,

i have several boxes... large foam boxes for streamers, smaller foam boxes for some nymphs, and compartment boxes for small nymphs, midges and dries. there probably is no perfect box, but there are boxes perfect for certain uses. i know you know more than i do about fly fishing, but i realized not long after i started that like in most other markets, there are products out there that perform well in some aspects, but not in others. the best way to obtain the desired performances is to buy several different products that offer each of the characteristics you want and use them together so that each product is used for its individual strength.

without a doubt, others will post that this box or that box is the complete package, but in reality it won't offer everything.

[jdmidwest]

I switched over to aluminum boxes last summer. I bought several Okuma boxes on Ebay, half compartments with hinged lids and half foam. I bought a few of both sizes and so far I like them. You can pack alot of flies in them. The compartments are nice too, keeps flies separate and secure. I also use the lightweight, all foam ones for larger bass flies or streamers. It has been my experience that there is no perfect fly box. The aluminum ones are a little heavier than some I have used in the past. The wood ones are pretty for display but I can't see carrying them around all day in a vest.

[Kansas Fly Fisher]

Dano, I was like you. Couldn't find that ONE box that would do everything. That is, until I found the C&F slit foam boxes. That's all I use now. The midge size holds my zebras, scuds, and soft hackles without a problems. The larger foam holds my streamers tight and neat. The key, is to get the one that you can change the foam in. They're a bit more in the long run, but you can put midge size foam on one side, and streamer on the other, and add an extra one in the middle for your dry's. They can't be beat. I'll be at RR tomorrow for the day. Come on over if you can and I'll show ya.

John

[mizzouflyfisher]

I've got 3 c&f boxes, and I know for a fact that the slit foam will hold down to a 26 firmly in place. Whether or not you like the threaders is a different issue, but it is nice sometimes (i.e. really freaking cold weather). I don't like the c&f boxes for big flies, for those I've got some of the large foam boxes.

Mizzoulfyfisher

[jjtroutbum]

This one was was easy I made my own (see altoid tin thread ) My main problem was a vest iv become attached to has smaller pockets so that takes out about two thirds of the more common boxes being produced.

However I do carry a small sized aluminum compartment box <B.P. W.R> type for my dries to really be able to pack in a ton of flies and not have worries about crushing hackles.

JJ

[Terry Beeson]

Dear Desperate,

Your dismay is commonly referred to as “Fly Box Schizophrenic Paranoid Envy” and can obviously be traced to the fact that you did not hug your dog enough as a child. Patients with this syndrome usually exhibit several symptoms including, but not limited to, the following:

Casting short yellow fiberglass rods.

Avoiding being photographed at fly fishing get-togethers.

Consumption of corn salsa and seahorses.

Sleeping in breathable waders.

Compulsion to make trips to cold water streams.

Compulsive viewing of fish porn.

Collection of copious amounts of hooks, feathers, fur, tinsel, thread, and small metallic beads.

Hanging out with old farts.

Several other similar and related conditions include:

“Fly Vest Schizophrenic Paranoid Envy”

“Fly Rod Schizophrenic Paranoid Envy”

“Fly Line Schizophrenic Paranoid Envy”

“Wader Schizophrenic Paranoid Envy”

“Hand Warmer/Glove Schizophrenic Paranoid Envy”

“Leader Schizophrenic Paranoid Envy”

“Sunglasses Schizophrenic Paranoid Envy”

“Bug Repellant Schizophrenic Paranoid Envy”

“Indicator Schizophrenic Paranoid Envy”

“Tying Vise Schizophrenic Paranoid Envy”

“Tying Station Schizophrenic Paranoid Envy”

“Bobbin Schizophrenic Paranoid Envy”

And others…

It should be noted that the pursuit of perfection in a fly box will most likely result in other maladies such as balding and graying of the hair, weakening of the eyesight, reduced libido, frequent trips to the restroom, and aching joints.

As to a cure for this condition, scientific studies have proven limited success with regiment of trips various fly shops coupled with frequent viewing of internet websites such as J Stockard, Cabelas, Orvis, Bass Pro Shops, L L Bean, and most especially, eBay. Recurrent purchases of various and sundry brands, types, sizes, and styles of fly boxes have shown to be effective in a majority of patients. However, in many cases this only compounds the condition. If this is the case with you and you have exhausted all resources of fly boxes, I would suggest taking up golf.

However, beware that this can result in a similar condition referred to as “Golf Bag Schizophrenic Paranoid Envy.”

Good luck and get well soon…

Dr. Griffin O. “Grizzly” Hackle, PhDFF (Doctor of Fly Fishing Philosophy)

[brittsnbirds]

I have 1 C&F that I use on my small stuff because of the threaders. If I had my choice, mainly due to price I wouldn't go with C&F. I want something that stays dry when I wade a little too deep. That would save me a lot of time to dry things out. I have been looking at Sceintific Anglers waterproof.

Any thoughts?

[Danoinark]

Dear Desperate,

It should be noted that the pursuit of perfection in a fly box will most likely result in other maladies such as balding and graying of the hair, weakening of the eyesight, reduced libido, frequent trips to the restroom, and aching joints.

Dr. Griffin O. “Grizzly” Hackle, PhDFF (Doctor of Fly Fishing Philosophy)

And to think I thought I was just falling apart.....Oh, thank you Doctor, thank you.....

[Terry Beeson]

Yes, finding the "perfect" fly box IS the fountain of youth...