Bayviewrr
New member
Does anyone know if they are still around and operating? I have tried calling and emailing them numerous times over the past few weeks and have had no response.
Richardson Fly Box
- Thread starter Bayviewrr
- Start date
Bamboozle
Well-known member
I have no insight but you might want to try calling or contacting the Feathered Hook in Coburn.
I am pretty sure they have a few boxes in inventory so they MAY have some insight into the lack of response. If you were looking to make a purchase, if nothing else they may have something in stock.
I own two Richardson boxes and I love them so good luck!!
I am pretty sure they have a few boxes in inventory so they MAY have some insight into the lack of response. If you were looking to make a purchase, if nothing else they may have something in stock.
I own two Richardson boxes and I love them so good luck!!
bigslackwater
Active member
- Joined
- Jul 7, 2011
- Messages
- 758
I've been intrigued by these boxes for a while now... I always tell my fishing buddy's "if you see a guy with one of those metal boxes, watch him fish, and you'll learn a few things!" They seem like the Airstream camper of fly boxes.
Bamboozle
Well-known member
They've been in Bellefonte for quite some time but they are a typical "cottage business" run by two guys that probably have day jobs that pay a WHOLE lot better.
My experience with all outfits like this is they kind of drop of the radar screen every so often then reappear. Sometimes they are reborn under new ownership if someone thinks they can make a few bucks by resurrecting the product.
However with all of the fly storage options today and the fact that in my entire life other than myself and one or two folks I know, I've seen about 4 Richardson boxes in the wild. Therefore I wouldn't be surprised if they went the way of a lot of companies in the fly fishing world...
Can't help with the original question. FFP in State College might have some info.
I have told this story before but...
Was fishing the Savage river, had my Richardson on and talking to a couple guys and one said - "you're from central PA right" and I said no but close. He said " you guys are born with those things growing out of your chest".
I have told this story before but...
Was fishing the Savage river, had my Richardson on and talking to a couple guys and one said - "you're from central PA right" and I said no but close. He said " you guys are born with those things growing out of your chest".
Bamboozle
Well-known member
My Richardson boxes are original style and black in color which might explain this wacky question...
I was standing in the middle of the Saucon Creek one day and a guy walking his dog along the stream asked me if it was a concertina. 😳
I was standing in the middle of the Saucon Creek one day and a guy walking his dog along the stream asked me if it was a concertina. 😳
Bayviewrr
New member
So I finally did get a response. It seemed that he basically doesn't look at his phone messages, which I get seeing all the junk calls I get on my phone. He had emailed me a response to my original email and for some reason it went into my spam folder and I never saw it. Glad to hear he is still at it. My original box is over 35 years old and still going strong. Great product!
At one time I had three of then. I sold two here. I tried calling them
often & no one ever picked up.
MJMFlyfisher
Well-known member
Still rocking my 4 tray 1970s model. I've also gifted a couple original 3 tray 1950s Fye boxes (pre Richardson) to a couple buddies and we all use them daily.
They're still sort of practical, and totally classic!
When you're in your 50's and grow up idolizing Joe Humphreys it's kinda mandatory 😁
They're still sort of practical, and totally classic!
When you're in your 50's and grow up idolizing Joe Humphreys it's kinda mandatory 😁
At one time I had a three & four tray & my Dad had a three tray with the magnifier. They are great in that an entire season of all the hatches can be kept in one box. They aren't so great if you fall in, as I did once, and every single fly got soaked. It took me hours to dry them off and fluff up the dry fly hackles. I sold all of them here on the Swap Forum. Now I just put a couple C&F boxes in my vest and only the flies I'll need for the day.
Bamboozle
Well-known member
I have a 5 tray and a 4 tray and I modified both so I can add/subtract/swap trays which I assume voids the warranty, but I could care less as I never had and don't expect problems.
I only use my Richardson boxes when I anticipate needing a variety of flies to meet a variety of hatches, especially on an unfamiliar stream. At places I know well or small wild trout streams I typically carry a single small to medium box.
A couple things IF you are in the market for a Richardson...
I only use my Richardson boxes when I anticipate needing a variety of flies to meet a variety of hatches, especially on an unfamiliar stream. At places I know well or small wild trout streams I typically carry a single small to medium box.
A couple things IF you are in the market for a Richardson...
If you DON'T want rain water to find its way into the box, make sure your rain jacket is big enough to fit over you AND the Richardson Box. If it isn't, I guarantee you after one rainstorm you will want to buy a bigger jacket. 😉
Since I detest wearing rain gear unless it is pouring, I also fabricated an adjustable waterproof Richardson Box cover out of Cordura on my sewing machine. The cover folds up flat and stays in a pocket in my fishing shirt until needed. If a light rain comes, it takes me a second to attach it over the top of the box to keep the rain out and it flips out of the way when I want to get into the box.
BTW - You could probably make something similar, albeit less permanent & durable from a quart Ziploc bag and some Velcro.
At the end of a damp or rainy day, I open each tray facing up and flip open the lid and rest the latch tab of the adjacent tray on the open lid. It may be hard to visualize but if you do it correctly, every tray is separated by an inch of space so air can circulate and you can place the entire box out of harms way opened like this overnight so damp files dry out.
I don't wear a vest or use a pack of any kind when using my Richardson so I attached a fly patch on the front of my Richardson so I have a place for flies I use during the day so they dry and don't rust. I attached the fly patch to the box with Velcro so I can pull it off to allow the flies to dry completely when I store my Richardson Box in my gear bag.
FWIW - IF you can find or fabricate a ventilated fly patch that is enclosed, you will lose a lot less flies from the patch versus just a hunk of foam or magnets. I have the long discontinued Fly Trap fly patch on my box. It is made of aluminum, ventilated with hinged door and attached ripple foam.
The Fly Patch Elite from Stonfo is similar, not ventilated (drill a few holes) but worth considering.
I've been a satisfied Richardson box user for a LONG time.
MJMFlyfisher
Well-known member
Dangit now you have the wheels turning for making a nice cover for my box! I've done the big rain jacket thing too many times LOL Over a vest AND my Richardson box!
Just last season it seemed like it rained every day for the first 2 weeks of May!
Interesting idea.
dudemanspecial
Well-known member
What do you mean by lengthy? I was actually looking at their site last night.
Drifly
Member
it’s been sometime since I’ve dealt with these guy. They replaced inner foam in a couple of boxes as that old green foam disintegrated and turned to dust, I had them put removable snap in panels w/ micro slit foam in the outer nymph pad tray. At 1 time I had 4 of their boxes in different configurations. I bought all mine used either at local fly shops or from friends. There is I small problem with these boxes, when mid stream and having to re-tie tippet, change flies etc. I always tuck my rod under my right arm when i did that the rod often makes contact with the box edge which is a bit crisp. Never thought much of it till I looked at the flat of one of my quad bamboo rods. It did a job on the finish but I fish a lot.
MJMFlyfisher
Well-known member
Same 😂
Even the Montana guides passing me on the Bighorn River know exactly where I'm from.
"I bet you're whacking them aren't ya!?"
Maybe. 😁
Bamboozle
Well-known member
I tuck my reel and the butt of my rod in one of the shoulder straps behind me which keeps the rod away from the side of the box and keeps the rod from inadvertently falling to the ground and I can work with two hands if necessary.
