Articles- Organizing Your Fly Tying Materials

PAGE 3: Well, you've got all of your materials in nice tidy boxes and compartments, now what? This is exactly what I said and soon figured out I needed a place to put them. During this time I was going to school and I had a 'study' desk I used to do homework on. It was stacked with papers and books and other junk. So, what has priority here, school work or fly tying, oh yah, fly tying or course. Soon enough my part-time fly tying desk became my full time fly tying desk and the books and papers ended up in the corner of the room, where they belonged. I still used the desk for homework, don't get me wrong, I just organized my desk in a way that allowed me to switch from fly tying to homework in seconds. My storage containers were the key to this. When I needed to sit down and do some homework, I just moved my material containers and boxes to the side and/or stacked them on top of each to clear some desk space. This allowed me to keep my fly tying stuff out in the open and organized in a pleasantly looking manner. It made the wife happy as well.

Another important item I did buy for my fly tying was a good lamp. Lighting is so important in fly tying, atleast for me. I hate to squint in trying to see what I'm doing. So, I went to Fred Meyer and bought a nice jointed lamp that can be moved around directly above my vice, either closer or farther. I also have another lamp that sits on my desk that shines down on my desk area for additional lighting, but not always used. I usually use a 100watt bulb with a soft light. Speaking of lighting, adequate lighting is very important but a light background or light colored table top is a must. I use a white or light green colored background on my desk. It's up to you what color you choose. Some people use different materials for their table top, but I just use a square of poster board. It's disposable, but one piece can last a long time. I think I've had my current square for over a year.

What about my tools, I don't need a place for them do I? That's what I thought. My tools were all over the place and some tools would always get misplaced or hidden under all my other junk on my desk. So, I just got myself some plane old plastic micro baskets to keep all my tools in. I also use a plastic basket for misc. items such as wax, glue, epoxy, lighter, and pliers. They have worked for me so far.

As for your flies or 'master' flies, I would just suggest some sort of foam or wooden block to stick your newly tied flies on, especially if the head cement needs to dry. I also keep small fly containers on my desk in order to store flies for future trips. You know what I'm talking about, the small round fly boxes that you get when you buy flies at a fly shop. If I'm tying for an upcoming trip, I'll usually just stick my flies directly into my fly box when I complete a fly.

Name:	Tips and Suggestions:
Barry Urry	My wife found an inexpensive set of plastic drawers at Costco. If I remember correctly, there are eight drawers of varying depths. I have divided up my drawers to accomodate different types of materials, i.e. one for necks and saddles; one for hair; one for chenilles and/or other types of small materials, etc. Everything fits in my set of drawers, and (heaven forbid) should my collection of materials grow, the drawer frames can be connected. Another thing that I have done to organize my threads--I don't like to have to look in a drawer--is to build a peg-board. The peg board is part of my flytying bench, and the spools (up to 2 per peg) slip easily over the pegs. I can see them at an instant, if I want to change threads. I have also built--again, into my bench--a board with several holes drilled. I can insert my loaded bobbins into the holes. I have my bobbins loaded with 6/0, 8/0 and 10/0 threads, the same/similar colors placed together. I have a set of bobbins loaded with the 3/0, and big/fly threads also placed together.
Bill Snow	Bill was kind enough to bring his fly tying box to one of our Salt Lake Fly Tying Club meetings to show everyone how he organizes his fly tying materials. The biggest benefit I see from his fly tying box is convenience. All of his materials and tools are strategically placed in the shelves and boxes for easy access. He also brings his fly tying box with him when he travels. Bill built this box from scratch. Good job Bill. We took a few photos of his box for everyone to see (below). -Jason flybox1 flybox2 flybox3 flybox4 flybox5 flybox6
James	I use velcro on the bottom of the cement jar & the top of my large pedestal. This allows me to utilize the Jar with out tipping it over. This has been a very nice idea. I also use scrap rigid foam pieces that I find in boxes to make fly holders that I attach to the stem of my vise. I drill a 3/8 hole through 1 end and put silicone in the hole and smear it around to make it rigid. Cut the strip about 2 inches wide and 6 inches long. I put 1 or 2 at a time on the vise. You can also use it as a tool holder by putting a wire support make from a wire coat hanger and wrap the wire around a 3/8 drill bit to form a coil and slide up the shaft of the vise. This is inexpensive and recycles materials.
Dave Banks	I found a great way of storing different items in one container. Remember those assorted chocolate covered nuts you get at christmas. Each variety has its own compartment and when they're empty clean them up and put your fly stuff in them. The best thing about them is all your friends and family usually have them so you can collect a few around christmas. You can get them year round Ithink. Good luck.
Scott Dickey	I recently had to reorganize my fly tying materials. My girlfrind and I came up with a few ideas, but the one we ended up using is awesome, especially if you travel between two locations quite often like myself. We use a tackle box bag system. They are fairly inexpensive and can be found at most sporting good stores. They are great because they come with numerous pockets for storage, and they also come with plastic containers to organize your materials. The thing I love about it, is that I can just grab the bag and take my fly tying materials anywhere, at any time. It comes in very handy when I go fishing. It probably woulnd't be great for a large collection of materials, the bags only get so big, but it is awesome for a traveling fly tying kit.