How do you keep your flies organized?

On Mon, 15 Oct 2007 16:57:12 -0000, mdk77
wrote:

I have Morrel Styrofoam fly boxes for fishing. But I also have a lot
of "extra" flies that I don't want to carry around. I may tie a dozen
flies of a given size/pattern at a time when I'm on a roll. But most
of those are just "extras" until I'm needing to re-load a fly box due
to loss of flies.

How do you guys keep the "extras" organized until you need them? Or
do you just have a ton of fly boxes?

Just a curious newbie question.

- Dave K.

First, I set up 16 library tables and sorted all the flies, hooks,
lures, etc., that I own. I then measured each and entered the data into
an Excel spreadsheet, from which I optimized the requirements with
regard to volumetric data. I then designed the required tooling to have
custom containers CNC'ed from optimized material, such a worm-proof
plastics for the softs and aromatic cedar for those flies requiring
protection from insects. I then printed out labels and a
cross-referenced catalog with acquisition and usage data, results, etc.
I then built another room (well, OK, so I made Settlesworth build it)
onto good ol' Beefeater Hall, complete with climate control, fire
suppression, and laser alarm system. While it may seem excessive, I
must say that the some 1000 hours and nearly quarter of a million
dollars wast...er, invested into the system thus far at least
kinda-sorta seems to perhaps make things maybe marginally easier than,
oh, say, see-through 35mm cans, Plano boxes, egg cartons/trays, grocery
meat trays, baby food jars, sheet cork glued to luan, or any of many,
many, many other myriad simple, inexpensive (some even free...) and
readily-available containers and devices suitable to storing
flies...well, unless I get any new stuff...then, I have to redo
everything to make room...I mean, it's not like I could just go to
Wal-Mart and get another 4 buck Plano box or something,
dontchaknow...hey, as always, YMMV...

HTH,
R

wrote in message
news
On Mon, 15 Oct 2007 16:57:12 -0000, mdk77
wrote:

I have Morrel Styrofoam fly boxes for fishing. But I also have a lot
of "extra" flies that I don't want to carry around. I may tie a dozen
flies of a given size/pattern at a time when I'm on a roll. But most
of those are just "extras" until I'm needing to re-load a fly box due
to loss of flies.

How do you guys keep the "extras" organized until you need them? Or
do you just have a ton of fly boxes?

Just a curious newbie question.

- Dave K.

First, I set up 16 library tables and sorted all the flies, hooks,
lures, etc., that I own. I then measured each and entered the data into
an Excel spreadsheet, from which I optimized the requirements with
regard to volumetric data. I then designed the required tooling to have
custom containers CNC'ed from optimized material, such a worm-proof
plastics for the softs and aromatic cedar for those flies requiring
protection from insects. I then printed out labels and a
cross-referenced catalog with acquisition and usage data, results, etc.
I then built another room (well, OK, so I made Settlesworth build it)
onto good ol' Beefeater Hall, complete with climate control, fire
suppression, and laser alarm system. While it may seem excessive, I
must say that the some 1000 hours and nearly quarter of a million
dollars wast...er, invested into the system thus far at least
kinda-sorta seems to perhaps make things maybe marginally easier than,
oh, say, see-through 35mm cans, Plano boxes, egg cartons/trays, grocery
meat trays, baby food jars, sheet cork glued to luan, or any of many,
many, many other myriad simple, inexpensive (some even free...) and
readily-available containers and devices suitable to storing
flies...well, unless I get any new stuff...then, I have to redo
everything to make room...I mean, it's not like I could just go to
Wal-Mart and get another 4 buck Plano box or something,
dontchaknow...hey, as always, YMMV...

I think you SHOULD go to Wal-Mart and get another Plano box. You could use
all the money you save to buy more anchor chain for your belly
boat.......and maybe an oxy-acetylene torch and gasoline powered abrasive
circular saw to cut your way free in the (admittedly unlikely, but
nevertheless dire) event that you should happen to miscalculate tidal
stresses or something.

Wolfgang
remember, boys and girls, safe boating is happy boating!

On Oct 16, 10:42 am, wrote:
On Mon, 15 Oct 2007 16:57:12 -0000, mdk77
wrote:

snip

, egg cartons/trays, grocery
meat trays, .

HTH,
R

I never thought about egg cartons. The Styrofoam ones would be GREAT
for storing a ton of flies safely. And for free too!!!

I'm going to "go" with that suggestion. Thanks.

- Dave K.

p.s. Another poster mentioned fly tying books. I've been reading a
new book I picked up, "Trout Flies - The Tiers Reference" by Dave
Hughes. That is one heck of a great book. I would highly recommend
this one to fly tiers.