The system I use is fairly simple. I have one of those aluminum posts
that will hold all my spools, 0X through 7X. It all goes into my
vest. The key is placement in the vest. Down lower and it gets
pretty bulky, what with the fly boxes, shot holders, and 12 pack of
microbrew (on ice). That's why I keep mine in the upper right pocket
of my vest. This pocket is high on the vest, just below the collar
bone. Additionally, the post is smaller than the center of the tippet
spools so the spools can lay over a bit. Each spool has an elastic
band around it with the number of the tippet.
For all my "Full Reidedness," my vest is fairly well organized. I
have two different vests, fully outfitted and ready to go. One for
trout and one for warm water. The only changes I make are what fly
boxes I put in, but even with that, I know what kind of flies I have
where, i.e. nymphs are in the lower left pocket, in front of that is
my shot holder and strike indicator pocket. Far lower left pocket is
always reserved for used line and tippet (trash). I can find anything
in the vest with my eyes closed and quite often do (as evidenced by my
fly selection).
Frank Reid