Flies in Carry On Luggage

[mick mccorcle]

I have a new flyfisher friend headed for Utah who asked me whether he’d have a problem carrying on a small box of small flies (size 20-24).

[Justin Witt]

I have clients arrive frequently down here in Argentina with fly boxes and also rods in carry on luggage.

[Tim Angeli]

I have never had problems carrying on flies, or rods for that matter.

[brandon hall]

My wife is a flight attendant with US Airways and states that anything under size 6/0 is supposed to be fine. I suppose as previously mentioned that is always at the discretion of the security agent.

[Mark Schafer]

A major trip like that with only a carry on is impressive. 🙂

[Eric Weller]

I have flown every year since 9/11 and I pack my reels, flies and rods in my carry on and never have had a problem.  IF they are 2 piece rods they may have you leave them at boarding but all my 4 piece travel right with me.  
Just to add in, I carry articulated streamers down to size 22 flies.

[Michael Phillippe]

TSA specifically notes on their website that flies are permitted in carry on bags.

http://apps.tsa.dhs.gov/mytsa/cib_results.aspx?search=fishing%20flies%20(small%20hooks)

[Steve K.]

What Michael said ^^^^^

Print out a copy of the reg. If the TSA dudes want to pull your flies…..politely ask to speak to a supervisor and show them the reg. I doubt you’ll have any problems though.

[mick mccorcle]

Thanks to all.

[Mark Sides]

Umm..One other side note.
I packed my flies in my carry on headed for Chile. When we landed in Santiago the airport authorities/police there were targeting fisherman and specifically fly fisherman.
Any flies tied with natural materials/feathers were confiscated. If you had one fly tied with natural material and the rest of the box was synthetic it was confiscated.

Seems there was yet another new govt. rule with the chicken/aviary industry in mind and there were worried about infectious exposure coming from outside sources including fishing flies. >:(

That was three boxes for me, a lot of tying work walking away. As well they snatched up my family sized Nalgen container of Jack Daniels, the reason for confiscating that remained vague at best but take it they did. Some TSA type guy took off with it and 5 minutes later returned with my empty container.
Then I did cry. :'(

[Colin M.]

I always carried on rods and reels and check flies.

[Michael Phillippe]

The Chilean ban on feathers is not too outrageous. Iceland had a requirement that you autoclave your waders and bring the certification from a vet with you.

[Author]

Posts