Fly box for small flies recommendations

[dudemanspecial]

I hate keeping my small flies, that is #18 and smaller, in slit foam. I have tried these compartment type with a magnetic bottom from TCO because in theory it is everything I want in a small fly box. The problem is they suck. The magnets are too weak and the plastic isn't tight enough against the foam dividers to keep the flies in the same compartment when they inevitably get loose from the magnetic base.

Any recommendations for something similar that actually works?

Here is what I am dealing with. Note the zebra midges scattered everywhere.

 

[Swattie87]

I have a solution for this that doesn’t require you purchasing any more fly boxes. 😉

I don’t really like fishing tiny stuff, so I don’t. I have a small handful of 18’s in my boxes for use as a dropper in low/clear conditions, but that’s it. I just keep them in my standard foam or slitted foam boxes I’m using otherwise.

Different strokes. Funny how stuff like that works sometimes.

 

[TimMurphy]

Dear dudemanspecial,

It's difficult to tell how big the box is that you have pictured. That said, do a Google search for Myran fly boxes. They are light, sturdy, and available in many sizes. Here is an example.

Myran Fly Box

Shop Myran Fly Boxes and more at FishUSA. They make a great dry fly or nymph box, but can also be used to storage of beads, hooks, and other small tackle.

www.fishusa.com

Regards,

Tim Murphy 🙂

 

[dudemanspecial]

I have a solution for this that doesn’t require you purchasing any more fly boxes. 😉

I don’t really like fishing tiny stuff, so I don’t. I have a small handful of 18’s in my boxes for use as a dropper in low/clear conditions, but that’s it. I just keep them in my standard foam or slitted foam boxes I’m using otherwise.

Different strokes. Funny how stuff like that works sometimes.

I am a fan of making fishing more complicated than it needs to be 🤣.

Actually I not only like fishing small flies, I enjoy tying them as well. Storing them is the only part that frustrates me about the whole deal.

 

[dudemanspecial]

Dear dudemanspecial,

It's difficult to tell how big the box is that you have pictured. That said, do a Google search for Myran fly boxes. They are light, sturdy, and available in many sizes. Here is an example.

Myran Fly Box

Shop Myran Fly Boxes and more at FishUSA. They make a great dry fly or nymph box, but can also be used to storage of beads, hooks, and other small tackle.

www.fishusa.com

Regards,

Tim Murphy 🙂

I have seen those, and use similar boxes for hackled dry flies, but I would really like something very slim with a good magnetic base if it exists.

 

[Forestfishin]

I hate keeping my small flies, that is #18 and smaller, in slit foam. I have tried these compartment type with a magnetic bottom from TCO because in theory it is everything I want in a small fly box. The problem is they suck. The magnets are too weak and the plastic isn't tight enough against the foam dividers to keep the flies in the same compartment when they inevitably get loose from the magnetic base.

Any recommendations for something similar that actually works?

Here is what I am dealing with. Note the zebra midges scattered everywhere.

View attachment 1641241105

I have a similar slim Orvis box that had the same issue with a slight gap when closed. Seems weird they all wouldn’t be designed to seal each compartment when closed.

 

[5footfenwick]

Sorry I was struggling with the link and gave up. Fair warning this might be a silly idea. What if you did something like this? Glue in your own stronger magnets. Make your own box and make it better. If it turns out good, problem solved. Maybe even try it with a higher quality box once you nail the prototype. If it’s a disaster, you are out $8.99.

 

[tomgamber]

https://a.co/d/iAvEgE2

 

[sandflyx]

I use these, not sure if mainstream still carrys them but they are online too.

 

[mt_flyfisher]

I also recommend the Myran plastic boxes, which are the same boxes that @TimMurphy and @sandfly recommended. I’ve used these boxes for many years and they are nearly bulletproof. There are different sizes of those boxes available (lots of fly shops carry them) and you could put lots of your small flys in the Myran 1080 box, for example, that sells for less than $10.

If you want to go one step further, get some magnetic sheets (DIYMAG is one), cut them to size your Myran box compartments, a put one cut sheet in each compartment of your fly box. That will help keep those flys in your box rather than spilling or blowing out on a windy day.

 

[dudemanspecial]

https://a.co/d/iAvEgE2

I have similar, and that is what I am going to go with if I cant find a slim compartment box that will hold the flies in their hole, but like I originally said I am trying to avoid slit foam.

 

[dudemanspecial]

I have a similar slim Orvis box that had the same issue with a slight gap when closed. Seems weird they all wouldn’t be designed to seal each compartment when closed.

I was hoping someone would chime in about the orvis box. I was going to give them a shot but sounds like more of the same issue.

 

[jifigz]

I also recommend the myran boxes with compartments. In love them for many things.

 

[ROVERT]

I'm not sure any of those magnetic base boxes hold flies really well. I use one for fly tying hook storage. They hold bare hooks decently but once you wrap materials around them there is a lot less exposed metal for direct contact.

You could try getting some 1/8" weatherstripping and adding it on top of the foam dividers. I would expect it will compress enough to still snap shut and make a tight seal for each compartment.

 

[dudemanspecial]

I also recommend the myran boxes with compartments. In love them for many things.

Several recommendations on these, at this point I think I am going to order one, price is good.

Will they keep size 20 zebra midges from leaving their compartment?

 

[jifigz]

Several recommendations on these, at this point I think I am going to order one, price is good.

Will they keep size 20 zebra midges from leaving their compartment?

Yes.

 

[sandflyx]

meiho boxes are good too.

 

[bdhoover77]

I have a few of the Tacky RiverMag boxes and the magnet works quite well. I use them for all my smaller flies. No complaints.

 

[tomgamber]

I much prefer a compartmentalized box but you can only fit so many into a pack/sling/vest and I tend to pack for fishing like my wife packs for a weekend away.

 

[Broodstock]

I’m a fan of C&F design because I use the universal system. However that’s based on micro slit foam. They do make large and medium cases with compartments that might work. They are more expensive than the other options but I do think the build quality is very good. You need a plastic lid that does not flex at all so the compartments are kept tight otherwise flies mix.

You could also just go the route of Pat Dorsey and cram 1000 size 24 flies into one inch of foam 😂