Organization

[cartermcleod]

I am sure this thread has probably already made it through the board, but nevertheless.

[Colin M.]

My stations were always organized quite well using the stow away stuff you can get at walmart, clear drawers etc.

[Justin Witt]

I agree with Colin’s last statement; it’s always a losing battle, and in the end, for me anyway impossible.

[M. Wood]

Stick to tying one pattern at a time.

[Eric Weller]

I’m in the same boat as Justin.

[Zach Matthews]

Carter –

I have a standard hanging file folder desk with shallower drawers up top.  I keep my large materials in individually labeled hanging files, which works very well for things like marabou packets, hackle feathers and chenille, etc.  I have basically two big drawers full of stuff now.  As long as you put things back in their bags when you’re done, it’s pretty solid.

For smaller stuff like beads and glues, I have four of those slide-in bait fishermen’s tackle boxes, I think by Plano, which you can get cheap at Wal-Mart.  They have movable slots so they can be very flexible.  These are also great for hooks.  Most hook packets come with a magnetic strip, so I just cut those out and drop them in the bottom of the tray inserts to hold future hooks down.  You can also fold the Tiemco magnetic pads and drop them in so the label sticks up and helps you remember what hook you have.  Otherwise I cut the label out and drop it in on the bottom.

For small hooks, there are really skinny all-magnetic hook boxes, which look like they were made by CF designs, I think made by Anglers All, which I love.  That’s perfect for any hook under size 12.

[Zach Matthews]

To add to the above I found these cheap Craftmate locking plastic compartment boxes perfect for organzing all my hooks. The hooks can’t migrate to other compartments and they are also easy to pack and carry on trips. I paid something like $3.99 for each at a Hobby Lobby craft store.

[Curtis Bias]

I’ll second the foam tool caddy. Any flat surface near the vise is a perfect place to drop materials during the tying process. Its easier to clean up right after I tie a few dozen flies before I switch to a different pattern.

For travel- I bought a nylon worm bag from a local big name fishing store for 5 bucks. Looks just like my buddies expensive brand name fly fishing travel bag. The only difference is that mine has ziploc bag compartments on the inside while his has a nice padded divider and thread holders. I’ll keep the 60 bucks I saved and put the money toward tying materials. Did I mention that his has a fancy little tag that makes his more expensive?

I purchased a wood machinists tool box from Harbor Freight for 70 bucks. It looks nice. I can keep a lot of goodies in the chest. I don’t travel with it. Oddly enough, I tie most out of the little travel kit I was talking about earlier. I just keep the basics in the bag. The tool box is for special or expensive tying materials. Luckily storage hasn’t been a real problem for me. As long as my wife doesn’t look in the tying room we both stay happy. Of course, If I do decide to clean up the table, I never remember where I put anything.

[Author]

Posts