Best Fly Boxes

[Wingman]

What is your favorite/best fly box and why. I admit to being "tackle challenged" and need your help in picking and filling fly boxes for the various target fishes available. I tend to use one old ratty box I have had that is older than dirt and just stuff flies into it before I head out. The fish don't know that I have no clue as to how to set up a fly box! :wink: With your examples and advice I can unleash the "elves"in my life on "Santa Bill" to pick up the much needed stocking stuffers! :D Let's see... a box for stripers,shad, steelhead, salmon, bass, trout, salmon, salt surf/rock/pier, and divide them further lake and stream, boat or bank, I am on a roll here :twisted:

[Terry Thomas]

The C & F fly boxes by Scientific Anglers are tough to beat. They come in a variety of sizes and work for dries and wets. I have an old Wheatly that I had for my dries. When I bought the C & F box I found flies at the bottom of the Wheatly that I had forgotten that I even had.
T.

[NorCalFlyGuy]

http://www.orvis.com/store/product_choice.asp?pf_id=37GT&feature_id=&dir_id=758&group_id=792&cat_id=5135&subcat_id=6030&shop_id=

[Gregg Machel]

I also use the C&F Design fly boxes by Scientific Angler. They come in a couple different sizes, I use both the medium and large boxes. The ones I get have interchangable foam inserts and I buy extra inserts to put different types of flies in (steelhead, trout dry/nymphs, streamers, etc.), and store the extras in an external plastic storage case. I'll try and take some pictures later and post them if you like. I don't have all my flies categorized in here yet, but I will over the winter.

In the past I've tried the plastic cases with all the compartments, and also the Wheatly boxes. I didn't like the plastic cases much, and the wheatly box was good. The best part of the C&F boxes is the fact that you can take the inserts out and replace with others. This way you can keep everything organized much better without having to pull all your flies out and back in for every trip.

Kiene's has all of these in stock, this is where I got mine.

[Gregg Machel]

I just realized that the other Gregg on this board has one of these boxes and posted a picture on another thread, check here for an example: http://www.kiene.com/messageboard/viewtopic.php?t=2126&highlight=

[bolden]

I am a cheap kid, so these are the boxes i use. They're my favorite because they are cheap and they hold a lot of flies.
They also come in three different sizes, which could be helpful for seperating different flies.

http://www.anglersportgroup.com/products_detail.asp?ID=151&CatID=7&SubCatID=19&SubCat2ID=28

[PaulC]

The C&F boxes are great. I have one packed for steelhead season that is half window panes and the other half foam insert. Great for larger flies and bundling up your other patterns in the windows by species/size.
Nice also in the fact that you can buy different inserts and sideline ones you aren't using without buying another darn box.

Flybox strategy, I have been using the following. Granted its based on your area you frequent.

1) Caddis/attractors (dries on one side...mid leaf all nymphs, 3rd all attractors/terrestrials)

2) Mayflies (BWO on one side, PMD the other, Nymphs on the center)

3) Midges and small stuff (all in one small C&F box)

4) Surf
-1 small box.
-Multiple large multi compartment containers with dozens of the staples.
-Fill up small box for a few patterns depending on what i'm after to
avoid rust.

5) Steelhead
-Nymphs and larger bugs on the foam panel insert and other patterns
grouped in the window portions.

6) Classic steelhead
-Wheatley box with two panels of basic staple patterns for swinging.

Right now you're looking at at least 6 boxes. No wonder we have vests.
lol.

-Paul

[Adam Grace]

The C & F Boxes are the best that I've ever used.

Well worth the extra money.

I like the system boxes, the small sizes not the huge waterproof boxes. The waterproof boxes are nice but very large and hard to fit in standard sized vest pockets.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v238/flyguyag/Fly%20Shop/IMGP2376.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v238/flyguyag/Fly%20Shop/IMGP2368.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v238/flyguyag/Fly%20Shop/IMGP2352.jpg

The micro slit foam is great. Below is a nice close up.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v238/flyguyag/Fly%20Shop/IMGP2364.jpg

C & F Boxes rule!

[Jasonh]

I am also a big fan of the C&F boxes. There is so much versatility with them and i love being able to switch out foam inserts. I also love the classic wheatley clip boxes. There is nothing better than a wheatley clip box filled with a few classic steelhead patterns. Even if it just for looks!

Jason Hartwick

[Rick J]

For big flies - steelhead and saltwater I really like Lee Haskin's boxes that Bill has in the shop - great concept

[Nip Hadlock]

I just loaded up a System X box from SA. It's small enough to go in the vest, waterproof and has interchangeable foam inserts. I got it as a gift and enjoyed using it on it's maiden trip yesterday...

[SullyTM]

...I'm cheap! I use Altoids tins with foam glued inside to secure the flies. However, if Adam wants to gift me one his boxes, with flies, I'd accept it :lol: BTW. Adam, what is that doo-hickey thing between the sections in the second photo? Thanks. SullyTM

[Wingman]

Sully,
Great idea! If Adam falls for it add my name to the list :evil: Adam nice looking boxes. To all so far great suggestions.

[Adam Grace]

A good second choice to the expensive C&F boxes is the S.A. System X Box.

The System X boxes are great for the $20 price, but they don't have the micro-slit foam.