Fly displays

[coyoterahn]

I’m curious as to what innovative methods some of you use to display your flies at your tying bench. I’m currently using those plastic stand up hackle pliers but am trying to come up with a more interesting method. I’ve been keeping my eyes open for a small piece of driftwood along the river but have yet to find a nice piece.

 

[maxima12]

Driftwood is really nice! I always look for it, Display in a clear Christmas ornament, cool. Framed, ok, on an Exotic feather, i like it.

Best of all gone and sold without the fuss. Gone before tied! I like that the best! Been tying flies for 50 years and do not have many and i tie a lot! Couple months ago i purchased 720, clear hinged 2x2 plastic boxes. Seems what i use now!

 

[maxima12]

Rahn, i am a witness of your artistic ability! You already have a display! Most likely the best, i ever saw! Take it to the next level! You have what i have, a Widget! Check it out!

You Pal. Maxima12. We really should get together, story telling, campfire, hot dogs, chicken and a case of Champagne and a little good music! I look forward to it!

 

[Dave_W]

I'm more of a display 'em on the walls type. I prefer picture frames with shadow box style spacing (I do my own framing so this is easy for me).

A piece of driftwood, however, would be much easier and pretty creative and cool looking too. You can always pluck flies out and put others in, something much harder with frames.

If you want to get the driftwood off your work space to free up space (something I'm always looking for), you might grind down part of the back of the piece of wood to create a flat surface that will fit flush up against the wall. You can then hang the driftwood for display, and just take it down when you're ready to change out flies.

 

[maxima12]

I have been waiting for someone to mention. Don Bastian! Brilliant! Everyone that ties flies, wants to tie flies, enjoys the artform, interested in learning, dedicated to fly fishing, heart felt desire, right from the "BOSS" himself.

You got to check out: Bastian Flies.

I am a dreamer and of course shy 2 stone! Bubble Gum Machine, you know the one's with capsules. Flies in capsules! Why not! It would be cool to collect all those quarters!

I have found in life, a lot of nice people and i mean nice, that are willing to help out!. Businessmen or businessgals, with a desire for something new. Business card laminated with a streamer. A keepsake possession! Secret is they understand business, a normal charge is understood but a take advantage will never last!

Some way of a perfect transfer, from friend to friend! Do you see it! Gift that catches on! Believe me it is true! I have seen it first hand! With this, i will say, Thank you! Thank you for everything you did and do! Thank you for your kindness and as always, if i can help, i am walking fast, running is out now, too old!

Maxima12, P O Box 2, Muncy Pa. 17756

 

[coyoterahn]

Dave W, the idea of mounting the driftwood on the wall is one I need to pursue....now, finding the right piece of driftwood is something of a challenge. thanks!

Maxi, thank you for your idea of using some flies as a gift. I have some friends that I know would appreciate those gifts and with winter coming up I will have plenty of time to tie. I did check out Don Bastian, wow, he sure has some beautiful flies!
I'm in for the story telling, campfire and music. But.... a case of champagne???? Id be tripping over my azz and wouldn't remember any of the stories!

 

[just_jon]

I repurposed a piece of driftwood from an defunct aquarium and mounted it on an 16”x8” slate roofing tile. I put up a pair shelf brackets and the slate became

 

[nfrechet]

i dont normally display flies that ive tied for myself to view but i'll use the following block to sun cure some uv resin coated fly heads

 

[laszlo]

The driftwood idea sounds good, but I have a cat that would be attracted to something like that, and I would catch holy hell if he snagged one of the flies in his paw. I've yet to actually pick up this cat it's so skittich, so imagine the nightmare of a fly impaled cat flying around the house. Yikes

 

[just_jon]

So mouse flies are definitely out huh?

 

[Dave_W]

Many years ago when I was a kid I made some huge musky plugs with multiple treble hooks. I had hung them in an old greenhouse I was using as a workshop and a local barn cat came in and apparently couldn't resist swatting at them.

Anyway, we didn't take him to the vet (barn cat) but it was a tough afternoon with pliers and a towel getting the poor kitty - which was pinned by the front and rear hooks and unable to move - unhooked. He made a full recovery but was really ripped up.

Since then I've been very careful about fishhooks and cats.