Help: Storing tube flies

[Big Tuna]

I just started tying tube flies this year and have been carrying them in a basic box with compartments. Because most of my patterns are marabou spiders and tied on plastic or aluminum tubes, they are very light. I've noticed they easily blow out when it's windy. Also, when my hands are wet while changing flies, the marabou of other flies sticks to them, again increasing the liklihood of inadvertently dropping and losing flies. Is there a more secure way to carry tube flies? A better box?

[kjackson]

I saw a couple of new tube fly boxes at the fly tackle show in September. Morrell makes one, and at the moment, the second evades me. I'll look through catalogs and see what I can find...

KJ

[Dirk Pitt]

I saw a pic somewhere of a guys flybox headin to Alaska, and he used plastic drinking straws slid over his marabou flies. Seems like that would be a start to some fancy method to store these types of flies. Hmmm...........

[Blake]

I saw the Morell tube fly box at the Retailer show in September as well. I heard it wasn't going to be out for a while..... :(

[Big Tuna]

Thanks for the info. May need to try the straws as a short-term partial solution.

[sean]

go to callibaetis.com and you will see the box done in conjunction with morrel. They are available. Any of the site sponsors who carry morrell boxes should also be able to get a hold of some for you.

-sean

[Big Tuna]

Sean,
Checked out those boxes. They're perfect. Thanks for the info.

Jon

[Ringlee]

I use tubes to cover all my marabou flies to allow them to be smaller and so they don't get a hold of the wind. I like the big green straws from starbucks because they will fit large marabou tube flies. It's a cheap option.

[YAKIMA]

Straws... yep, straws. cut a slot in them so they can go past the bend in the hook and contain more of the marabou

[Ringlee]

That box looks sweet but 39 bucks!!! I will Stick with plastic craft/boat boxes.

[halcyon]

I just purchased the Wheatley tube fly boxes which while not in the US catalogs can be ordered by any sponsor that is a Wheatley dealer. A box costs $42 dollars and is the traditional Wheatley style metal box with a pair of tube fly holder inserts each able to hold 27 tube flies for a total of 54. They don't have moving parts for the holders and you don't have to have separate sizes for different sized tubes. If you use the drinking straw idea they will also look more neatly arranged. Very simple elegant solution in a beautiful container:thumb:

Regards,

[Ringlee]

halcyon,
Do you just jam the tube into the foam? I went to the website nad the pictures really didn't show how they held the flies.
Your picture does a better job.
Chris

[GVanKommer]

I saw a guy using a plasic box with really oversized safety pins in it. I wish I had gotten a better look at it or asked how he made it.

[halcyon]

Ringlee,

Yes, you just push the nose of the tube into the holes in the foam. The holes are small enough to hold even the micro tubing and expandable enough to take the largest dia. tube generally available. The foam inserts are permanently mounted on an AL plate which is mounted using double side tape to the box. If you ever have a damaged foam insert it can be taken out and replaced as the inserts can be purchased separately in single units.

So far, just a few times using the box, it really works well. I don't know how long a life the inserts will have but don't see it being a serious problem as you are not sticking hooks or the like into the foam. Since I store my various tube hooks and cone weights in a small plastic flybox this looks like a very workable system for me.

Regards,

Regards,

[Bob Triggs]

Im using an Okuma knock-off of the Weatley fly box, a spring clip version. The larger clips hold the tubes beautifully; just slip the tube onto the clip, lays flat and wont blow away in the wind or fall out. Nice n neat.

[ibn]

I use a cheapo plano box, most of my tubes are coneheads though.

[Ringlee]

I like that box. I currently use larger plano boxes. The only problem is they are big and I cant carry more than one box. Where did you pick up that size one?
Chris

[ibn]

I think I got that particular one at my local fly shop, they can be bought at craft stores and sportingood stores to though. They're usually no more then a couple bucks.

[Ringlee]

I like that size because it looks a little less akward than the ones that I try and carry around. I am trying to jam the 10" by 12" in my jacket.