On Board/UnderWay Fly Storage

[Nauti Buoy]

What do you guys use for storing/organizing your flies (up to 12") on board, and what do you use to store the wet ones away from the dry ones until you've had a chance to clean and dry them? I'm thinking of reasonably stiff and large ziplock bags held in a 3 ring binder, of sorts, or other means, that is corrosion proof, well organized, handy, takes up minimum room, flies are visible, is easily accessed, bags are removable, can add bags, etc. I was thinking of putting all the wet flies in one "aerated" ziplock until I got home. I don't want to deal with rusty flies and I'm focussed on organizing. Do you know of anyone who makes something like this? ;)

[ruge13]

Why not use a small photo album and binder. They have individual clear plastic compartments and I doubt the flies would slide out as long as you weren't throwing it around. The plastic sleaves are pretty hardy...

[LandlockedinMI]

I read a lefty article and he suggested a BAss Pro "soft tackle" binder. I bought one to store large flies in. They come in various sizes 5 x 7 to 12 x 18 inches. They are bound with a 2 - 3 ring binder sort a deal. I think they were designed for worm rigs or leaders but they are basically heavy duty zip lock bags in a binder. Works great BTW. As for drying, I bought a soft tackle box that the "top" unzips to a large open area and has room in a compartment underneath for 4 large Plano boxes.. Way easy to throw wet flies in there and forget em'. Next morning they are dry as a bone.

[rustyhooke]

I've been using zip loc type plastic bags for the last two seasons. They work great. Recommend the ones with the zipper/slide, not the ones you have to pinch closed. Hooks did punch through. But fixed that problem by completely covering the bags with clear packing tape. Keep one bag just for used/wet flies. At end of the day dump the used flies into a $1.00 plastic colander and rinse them off. I've got a board with pins stuck into it and hang the flies from the pins to dry. I use shooting heads a lot and keep them all in individual zip loc bags. All the ones I use during a session on the water go into a "dirty" bag and once home cleaned like the flies.. By the way a cheap plastic colander is also great for rinsing off line and reel. Just strip fly line, running line, and backing (if you were lucky enough to be into it) into the colander. Take the reel apart and gently spray/rinse everything. I let the line and reel dry right in the colander. It's so easy and quick there's no excuse for not doing it. (Note:Strip line into the colander while the reel is assembled. That way when you put the reel back together you can crank the line back on no sweat.))

[goldenangel]

I have used the Cabela's Denny Brauer Worm/bait bag ..I'm not really sure what's it's called, but it sounds like exactly what you are looking for. As a matter of fact it sounds like you've seen my bag! Have You? Al? It holds more than enough flies for a season of guiding two clients each trip. I use one of the zip-locks to hold discarded flies. A bag similar to this is available @ Hunter's Angling so I've been told.

Full Flex Wishes

[Nauti Buoy]

GoldenAngel...Golden Angel.....Gloden Angel (???) whatever took you so long to respond????? Yes, I'm the one and what you showed me looks great. However, I'm also looking to see if there are any other offerings (i.e. are there plastic bags out there that are "aerated" in some manner?) before I settle on a "worm bag". My God, could any self-respecting fly ever stand to be housed in a worm home? They'd go on "strike" and never hook up for me!

PS I found the bag on Cabela's site and think it is the Magnum model that would best handle these flies. So far, this seems to be the best bet. Is this the model you showed me? ;)

[Onshore]

In my boat, I carry a plastic jar about 8" tall via 3" wide 3/4 full of frestwater + a little Ivory Liquid. That's where the flies go as I take them off.


I've been using soft-sided bags with big Plano or Flambeau boxes but just came across something even better for the boat. I't put out by Plano and is a plastic box with handle that holds four 7"X10-1/2" clear plastic boxes. It lies flat or can be mounted under a deck or onto a bulkhead.

[tidalman]

One thing that works well on a boat is to put a piece of heating pipe insulation around a grab rail. Just stick the flies you plan to use in the foam and they're right there. They also dry pretty quickly when you're under way.

Haven't lost any flies yet, even while honking along in some pretty big seas. You can always rinse the flies at the end of the day.

[goldenangel]

Nauti-buoy, Nauti-buoy, Nauti Buoy. Yes, I believe that is the bag you saw in Cabela's. Take a pin vise or needle and poke a bunch of holes in one of the bags. Oh never mind that might be a bit low tech for you.