DIY Bugger Beast Fly Box

[Raff]

So if you are like me, you are always looking to shave bucks and save some green when buying gear. So with that in mind, here's how you build a Cliff's Beast for under $15.

You've likely seen the Cliff Outdoors Bugger Beast for anywhere from $40 to $50:
http://www.amazon.com/Cliff-Outdoors.../dp/B000H179PG
They are great streamer, steelhead, salmon, and boat boxes.

So here's how you make your own box:

You can buy a translucent version by Artbin called the QuickView for about $7 at http://art.artbin.com/translucent_storage.asp#small.
It's the exact same box, just without the scare-the-fish-away yellow color.

Just get some 6mm foam sheets from the craft store, outline and cut out the sheets to fit the box. Make some slits in it and then glue it into the boxes. I like the 3M 77 spray glue. I also like to glue the 6mm foam to a sheet of 2mm foam to give the hook a more snug fit. The foam isn't the same as a cliff's box, but it does the trick.

Save $30 or $40 per box by doing this, and spend it on flies or anything else fishing related.

BOOM goes the dynamite!

 

[Fredrick]

Very nice thxs for sharing could you post some pics of the finished product

 

[bassistjon112]

Brilliant! This idea could be used on any cheap box!

*needs to go find cheap boxes now*

 

[Raff]

Traveling all month of Dec and begin Jan for work. I'll post them up when I have some down time.

My first report is that the Artbin case isn't sturdy enough. I cracked the side of mine recently. But Flambeau makes a similar case that is more sturdy called the Tradesman and the Merchant. You can buy them "naked" at:
http://www.flambeaucases.com/index.php?p=catalog&mid=2

I'm going to order one of these and see if they will hold up a bit better.

 

[Raff]

Here are the pics of the DIY Bugger.





No if only I could find some good streamer water. Damn I miss the West!

 

[Fredrick]

Very nice I'm impressed :-D

 

[whheff]

I wish I would have seen this before I bought my bugger beast.
Very nice!!

 

[Raff]

I'm going to order a batch and make up a few the next coming weeks.

The biggest challenge of the whole thing is cutting the 6MM foam around corners so the foam is nice and clean. I either need to get some sort of heat cutter, or build a die press.

Thoughts? Anybody ever made themselves a die press to cut through 6mm foam sheets?

Bueller....Bueller.........

 

[GlockMan]

Can go buy copper and sharpen it and then bend to the corner radius

 

[wgmiller]

Couldn't you just make a cardboard template? No? Then you could cut the foam with a nice, sharp Xacto knife or similar tool. While it won't be as clean a die cut, the money saved on such a box would negate that minor detail.

I like this idea for my saltwater flies, some of which can get pretty lengthy and bulky.

Good idea - thanks for posting!

 

[bigstreamer]

Very nice!

 

[jessic]

I wish I would have seen this earlier.
Very useful.Thank you.

 

[sight_nymph_17109]

If you want a storage box for your dries, nymphs or remove some of the dividers for streamers, harbor freight tools. I picked up 3 boxes, 24 compartments each for $5-8 bucks each. Just another option. Saw a similar box to that 'art bin' at Michaels when searching for fly storage boxes.

Nice job on that BTW.

 

[wsender]

Bringing this back up for an epic bump....


How do you order Flambeu cases? There site appears only to be a reference and not have a 'cart' feature.

 

[Fredrick]

Would be better if you could find a denser foam It would hold the hooks allot better plus last longer

 

[wsender]

Fredrick wrote:
Would be better if you could find a denser foam It would hold the hooks allot better plus last longer

I was going to order the empty box and put foam in. I was going to get some of these.

http://www.amazon.com/Sell-Mats-Anti-Fatige-Interlocking-Flooring-Set/dp/B0012KUDPE/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1322862052&sr=8-4

6 tiles should last a lifetime.

 

[Fredrick]

wsender wrote:

Fredrick wrote:
Would be better if you could find a denser foam It would hold the hooks allot better plus last longer

I was going to order the empty box and put foam in. I was going to get some of these.

http://www.amazon.com/Sell-Mats-Anti-Fatige-Interlocking-Flooring-Set/dp/B0012KUDPE/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1322862052&sr=8-4

6 tiles should last a lifetime.

Let me know how it works

 

[wsender]

Maybe I'll post a tutorial JohnnyUtah style and take all the credit for it.

 

[midnightangler]

If you guys are looking for foam, look no further than this:

http://www.feather-craft.com/wecs.php?store=feacraft&action=display&target=HG089

Already has slots and adhesive on the back. It is fantastic for holding big streamers. They also make a "bugger beast" type box that is a little less expensive:

http://www.feather-craft.com/wecs.php?store=feacraft&action=display&target=HG090

 

[Fredrick]

wsender wrote:
Maybe I'll post a tutorial JohnnyUtah style and take all the credit for it.

Go for it

Nice find Midnight but it takes some of the DIY away