Hey Flysmith-
Welcome to the board and thanks for the post. Personally I think that number is a little high, but I may have close to that many myself. I counted not too long ago and was surprised to learn that I had 350 flies in my nymph box alone. I carry around a total of about 800 flies in my usual three boxes, nymph, streamer, and dry.
Usually I figure I have more crap laying around than other people, though, so if I am just approaching 2,000 flies, surely the average can’t be that high? Most fly fishermen buy at least some of their flies (I probably tie 95% of mine). If you figure half of that supposed 2,000 flies was purchased, you are talking about $2,000 worth of flies!
I agree with you, no way that can be right.
Zach