Geting organized fly tying desk help

[Ryan Pultz]

Ok my fly tying desk is a disaster. What do you all use to keep it some what organized. I have been looking for this folder thing that has plastic pockets built in the you put all your different furs and feathers in but can’t find one now. Right now I use an old roll top bread box and everything is piled in it but as soon as you open it all the fur and bags fall out. I have tried ammo cans but they get to bulky. So my question is What Do you all use. Ohh and I have a cat that will not leave my fur alone and thinks if I leave it on the desk it is hers to have her way with so I need some way to hey organized. Help Please! rp

[AndyK]

I am not the person to talk about being organized…

I use some clear plastic storage boxes for my fly tying materials. I bought these boxes at Fred Meyer (I’m sure you can find them in other stores). They come in various sizes and all have secure lids. I have one box for hackle, another for hair, one for chenille, etc. I am about to buy a couple more to separate the marabou from the hackle and to separate dubbing from the bucktail.

If I keep the lids fastened, the cat(s) haven’t been able to break into them.

[tbird]

Dont fight it, you can spend all you want on storage but the end result is the same. Always a mess. :dance:

[3riversBob]

A large tackle box?

Again, I'm not the most organized either. All of my stuff is scattered on the kitchen table and a big cardboard box. So who am I to offer advice.

Bob

[D$_KFalls]

Dont fight it, you can spend all you want on storage but the end result is the same. Always a mess. :dance:



Very true. I have found, however, that the plastic boxes mentioned above seem to provide some semblance of organization to the chaos that is flytying. I have several boxes that are compartmented ... dubbing, beads, hooks, anything that is smaller and/or "stuffable" goes into these. If you get one that has adjustable compartments, it will make life even easier.

For yarns, chenilles, etc., I either put them in one of these compartments and drill a hole in the top, or put them in an empty film cannister with a hole in the top. They feed niceley without having to take out a whole blob of yarn.

For furs, feathers, etc., I've gone the easy and cheap route. Ziploc bags can be your friend. I usually use the freezer bags, as they seem stiffer, and are much easier to work with. You can store them in some sort of plastic box to keep the cats away.

Good luck, and remember, no matter what you do, you'll always have a mess. :grin:

[TheCamel]

Ryan:
Here is a link to a discussion this past August on Ifish Flyfishers forum that might be of some help.
Link to:Tying Materials Management (http://www.ifish.net/forum/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=UBB22&Number=614812&Forum= f22&Words=&Searchpage=0&Limit=50&Main=614119&Searc h=true&where=bodysub&Name=4855&daterange=1&newerva l=10&newertype=m&olderval=&oldertype=&bodyprev=#Po st614812)

[ArrahWanna84]

Ryan, I use an old library card catalog. It works great for all but the larger items, which go in the tying desk drawers. AW

[Abalone]

A good tip I recently found is:
Keep a magnet near your bench to find hooks that are dropped on the floor.
I have a nice dresser next to my bench that I store my flies and my Supplies in. I am thinking about a means of storing my tools so that they stay organized. There is so much crap to have around. I think you have to be meticulous about putting things away when you are done.

That's not me..... :noway:

[PBR-AOK]

Ryan,

My advice is to keep everything seperated, ie. furs, dubbing, hackles....The plastic containers with pull out drawers work well. Also if you focus on tying one pattern at a time and only pull out the materials you need for that fly, and then put said materials away when you are done it can really make a HUGE difference. Just remember what your mother taught you; Pick up after yourself!
:laugh:
PBR

[greenbuttskunk]

I have a few tackle boxes wih fold out trays. They work great when I want to just grab one and take it along on a trip and tie on the fly. I also found a great roll top desk at an estate sale, and it's full of cubbies and drawers. I just lable stuff. When down, I can roll it down to keep the cat from chowing on my greenbuttskunks.

[Pete]

I have an old library catalog which is great for most things. Necks and capes need bigger boxes, so I have those. I have my vice attached to a smaller, lap-top wooden box. A place for everything and everything in it's place.

http://www.mcube.net/images/flybench.jpg