Selecting and Organizing Your Fly Boxes

The first in a series of videos that are made with the intent of passing along the answers to some of the more frequently asked questions at the various events I usually attend. Until we can get back together, these videos will have to do for the time being. In this video we will cover “Selecting And Organizing Your Fly Boxes”.
Intro Music: Supine - Teodor Wolgers
Background Music provided by freesound.org
Production: Shorty Bartholomew and Chase Bartholomew

[@taylordonovan7841]

I feel the same way in regards to I rather have it and not need it then need it and not have it. Also having excess allows you help out a fellow fisherman if they aren’t hooking up but you are especially when you’re leaving the stream and say a father and son are coming down in and you give em a few flies that have been the ticket all day so that they can have some luck. I’ve done that multiple times!

[@jasonarrowood3349]

Love that little bit of wisdom at the end.

[@ShortyOnTheFly]

Thank you.I am assuming that you are referring to "Have it and not need it..." I have repeated that mantra more time than I can count.

[@StevenNyhan]

Shorty you have motivated me to get back into fly tying. I love the idea of box themes like the hackle free flies. I needed this to get out of my streamer rut I have been in for a while. So I just ordered everything tonight to tie a box of hackle free flies also and next is a box of traditional wet flies. Awesome!!! BTW Your boxes look amazing and your videos are great! Keep putting them out.

[@ShortyOnTheFly]

Thanks man. A message such as yours makes me really happy that I decided to make these videos. Stay tuned!

[@onemorecast3913]

Very well done Shorty!!

[@ianpalmer5574]

THIS IS AWESOME!

[@annfoster451]

I've got some organizing to do. Perfect "stay at home" during covid project. Great series Shortie. Inspiring me to begin tying again, one pattern at a time.

[@ShortyOnTheFly]

That is how I do it. One at a time. I lay out materials for around a dozen at a time and tie when I have time.You do not have to sit at the vice for hours at a time. Ten minutes here, 15 minutes there, and before you know it, the box is filled.

[@garystrain3]

Exactly. One pattern at a time and make sure you enjoy the tie so it doesn’t become a chore!

[@jaynesjunction]

Nice video editing and flow - great stuff

[@RedSinter]

That little Touch of Wisdom has been my Mantra for many a year and at work where most of Management can't see beyond the end of their noses. And my lol Mantra for all things Fishing. So, you have a New Subscriber.

[@ShortyOnTheFly]

Thank you so much. I am glad that you enjoyed. More to come soon.

[@kentw.897]

Thanks 4 sharing this video. I really enjoyed watching it. You sure have tied many many flies for your fly boxes. Awesome. Beautiful Collection. 🌴🎣🏄‍♂️Aloha🤙🏼

[@misscadets89]

Awesome! How I miss you!!

[@theyearofourlord145]

Great Stuff

[@alex_cjjf7287]

Amazing video! Like it a lot! Best greetings from Germany

[@thomasharriso5570]

You my friend are what I call . Damm cool! Easy clear and dead smart. I am getting back into flyfishing and you have just given me the clearest answer ever. A joy to watch. Well done buddy . Tom from the U K.

[@ShortyOnTheFly]

Well thank you. Such kind words are appreciated.

[@Daw231]

Love the artistry! Working on my first box ever, thanks for the inspiration!

[@ShortyOnTheFly]

You can do it!

[@kenb4685]

Gidday Shorty. Great explanation of fly boxes. Thankyou.

[@ShortyOnTheFly]

Glad to help.

[@mariemeredith1234]

I am so excited to find you and this video. Thank you! I am hoping you will make a video on your top go-to/must-have flies. It would help me stay focused and hit the important flies.

[@ShortyOnTheFly]

I have been thinking about what to do next and you have inspired me. I will create a playlist of "The Flies You Do Not Want to Be Without". Thank you Marie!

[@wesleywillard]

This is a fantastic video, thank you

[@ShortyOnTheFly]

Thank you. We will be releasing more over the next few weeks. Enjoy.

[@themanwithaplan6418]

Amazing video. Happy I found you channel

[@ShortyOnTheFly]

I am happy that you found me as well.

[@jasonmurray72]

Shorty, thanks for the advice at the Edison show (2022). I really appreciated the one on one attention and chat. I subscribed to your channel and hope to improve my organization, consistency, and tying techniques. Thank you again.

[@ShortyOnTheFly]

Thanks man! It was great to see everyone. Keep me posted on your progress. I wish you well.

[@darrenconn3847]

Dude, that’s beautiful. My flies lived in pucks and Dixie cups in the driftboat for years. Impressive

[@ShortyOnTheFly]

Ha! Thanks.

[@fosterwayne6684]

Your fly boxes are pure art.

[@ShortyOnTheFly]

Thanks. I am glad you like seeing them. I had a great time creating them. I am working on filling another large one now. I will present it here when it is finished.

[@fosterwayne6684]

@@ShortyOnTheFly I look forward to seeing your work.

[@pattygnuse8788]

Great video, make more please! 🤠🎣

[@timbartholomew2815]

Coming soon! Perhaps over the weekend.

[@johnhutchison2268]

I needed this clip!!

[@ShortyOnTheFly]

Happy to be of service.😊

[@kuttycrew]

I love the expression “older flies that still work” it’s all I need to hear to change the channel.

[@ShortyOnTheFly]

Yeah, we sometimes get enamored of all things new when in fact, the old patterns still produce just as well. Thanks for watching.

[@kurtcameron7562]

Excellent video

[@shanemccoy8107]

I totally understand this guy. I am the same way although my boxes will never be as neat as his are. I spent probably close to 25 hours this year setting up my boxes. I did a lot of condensing and now have four boxes that I use (nymphs, dries, pond stuff, and a big bug box).

[@ShortyOnTheFly]

Awesome! I am working on yet another big box right now. Hope to have some video of it in a week or so.

[@anthonyurbano8605]

Good suggestions! Organizing is not a strong suit of mine. Looking forward to more videos. Especially the one with the file card. Thanks

[@ShortyOnTheFly]

That one will be coming up next. Thanks!

[@camusbook5052]

This is amazing

[@ShortyOnTheFly]

I am glad you enjoyed it.

[@capturedmoments5024]

I wanted to start investing in fly fishing I wish I watched this video before buying flies an a case today they all don't fit in one case this video was very helpful thanks.

[@ShortyOnTheFly]

Happy to have been of help.

[@everydaywelit2738]

Mr B I came here because you said you had 1k subs and now im gonna staying for the actually really good content. Love from period 9.

[@ShortyOnTheFly]

I am glad you are enjoying it.

[@fortheloveoffishing872]

Loving the videos! New subscriber here.

[@ShortyOnTheFly]

Welcome aboard!

[@markm668]

Outstanding! Love the presentation style and the thinking. I too spend an hour looking at my well organised weight/size dry, nymph, streamer and miscellaneous box before I go to sleep most night. Is 2500 thousand flies to many to take to the river??!! I always fear a hatch or size of fly I don't have, funnily enough it doesn't happen😎

[@ShortyOnTheFly]

Thanks for the input, my friend. My philosophy on carrying so many flies is that I would rather have it and not need, than need it and not have it! I bid you peace.

[@toddwmac]

Thank you.

[@trevorgreen2370]

Thanks for sharing

[@ShortyOnTheFly]

Thanks for watching

[@k9s4conservation65]

Nice video! I'm looking forward to your "selecting flies" video! I'm sitting here with a vice, materials, and a couple of empty fly boxes right now trying to decide what I need to whip up! Also, what is a "film cannister"? Kidding! But there aren't a lot of folks any younger than me that would even recognize that thing!

[@ShortyOnTheFly]

We will be shooting for that video today. It should be up some time in the next week. Thanks!

[@themegestictree6825]

About to watch your whole channel lol

[@ShortyOnTheFly]

Thanks

[@dalekwasnaza5185]

This is great Shorty. Looking forward to more. Love some of those boxes you’ve shown. Can you share their names?

[@ShortyOnTheFly]

I got those boxes from Rip Lips at The Fly Fishing Show in New Jersey. Every year they seem to have something new to offer and they usually offer "show specials" like 4 for $25 bucks so I grab whatever is new and interesting. A new fly box is like a blank canvas to me. The next video will address how I approach filling a new box. It should be up by the beginning of next week.

[@dalekwasnaza5185]

Shorty On The Fly Thanks Shorty, I remember rip lips at the Edison show. Anxious to see your next video on organization strategies. Take care.

[@themazamen]

I love the simplicity of your videos. They remind me not to over complicate things. In which style box are you holding your winged wet flies and soft hackles. I assume compartment style.

[@ShortyOnTheFly]

I actually keep my soft hackles in the slotted boxes. I do not use many winged wets but if I did they would be in compartments due to their somewhat fragile nature.Thanks for the input!

[@guitarhiker4449]

Great little breakdown. One thing that always bugged me no pun intended is in which direction to put the flies into the little slots. Occassionally i find out that i put them in upside down. Also with a bit larger flies especially egg patterns i tend to skip a slot in order to make room for the next egg fly. I have tried putting them in free roaming boxes but egg flies with a veil tend to get stuck together in the hooks. So you go to pull one out and 5 come out and you drop a few on the ground lol. I havent tried magnetic boxes yet?.. plano makes a new one i might try. Lastly i put all my streamers in bugger barns but they take up alot of space. I kinda wish the slots in those were a bit closer together. Gain one thing and lose another. Too flat of a box and it crushes certain flies... Any good box recommendations for holding a large amount of egg paterns and nymphs?... Thanks! Fish on!🐟🎣

[@arthurskim7898]

Thanks for posting. Bravo Zulu

[@ShortyOnTheFly]

Stay tuned. Another vid will be up in a couple of days.

[@willdaskal340]

Way to go, Shorty. Great initial foray into KZbinLand! What video editing program did you two utilize to produce this wonderful first video?

[@ShortyOnTheFly]

Thanks Will! Voice overs recorded and processed in Logic Pro. Footage cut and processed in Davinci Resolve.

[@kabseven]

Great video Shorty. Where can I purchase the two sided box w compartment on one side and foam on the other? Many thx! Bozeman, Mt.

[@ShortyOnTheFly]

I kind of keep my eyes open for them at shows and shops. They can be a bit hard to find. Hope that helps.

[@Flies_the_limit]

Love a well organized box myself. I put them in and take them out with curve tip forceps tho lol

[@ShortyOnTheFly]

Nice!

[@lorawinfrey9112]

In your video I love the look of that fly box what is the make model and brand or where can I buy one you have so many flies in there even dry flies

[@ShortyOnTheFly]

I got that box from Rip Lips at The Fly Fishing Show in New Jersey a few years ago. I think I have seen them on Amazon from time to time advertised as Large Nymph Box. It holds almost 900 flies. I hope that is of help.

[@mikevernelson8398]

Great video! What brand are your compartment/ fixed position you showed there? Thanks!

[@ShortyOnTheFly]

That box has Kingfisher stamped on it but I think that they are massed produced and then stamped by whoever sells them. I just keep a lookout when I am at the shows and grab them when I see them. Hope that helps.

[@mikevernelson8398]

@@ShortyOnTheFly Thanks so much!!

[@pueblodsmrs5624]

amazing im the same way

[@ShortyOnTheFly]

I know some great fly fishers who have nasty looking boxes but they catch the crap out of fish. To each his or her own, I guess.

[@kevinblack2384]

Good morning. Can you please tell me anything about who or where to get the double sided boxes. One side has the pin in the nymphs and open compartments for the dry flies.

[@ShortyOnTheFly]

I get this question often. In industry parlance it is a "waterproof swingleaf nymph flybox". I just kind of keep my eyes open for them at shows and shops. I have three that have three different shop names on them. There is more about these in my "The Boxes I Carry" video.

[@scottwinfrey5436]

How's your health these day? I just got over Cancer and really enjoy your videos

[@ShortyOnTheFly]

I am glad to hear that you kicked cancer even more than that you enjoy the videos. I am in good shape. Order filling and show season are almost at an end so there will be more vids up in the not too distant future.

[@MrMaestroChrome]

Are your flies mostly within a set size range? My flies look like they're all over the place with the various sizes.

[@ShortyOnTheFly]

The nymphs are mostly 12-18. I carry smaller sizes in more appropriate type of boxes with compartments. In the not too distant future, we plan on a video taking everyone on a tour of my boxes since I have gotten quite a few comments asking about them.

[@oscarbarreiro4266]

Impressive¡¡ Thanks for the tips¡ There is no such a thing as "too many flies" 😅 the problem is weight and space...

[@ShortyOnTheFly]

Agreed! Thanks for the input.

[@masonthemountainman206]

What’s the specific box you are using to organize that has all those compartments in one box??

[@ShortyOnTheFly]

That box is somewhat hard to find. I have obtained them at some shows over the years. It seems that they are manufactured in some central location but then they get the stamp of the outfitter that sells them. Best advice I can give is try "Large nymph box" on Amazon and see what comes up. Or, get to a show and get to searching. Peace.

[@misicboy1]

Do you have a link to the fly box with the compartments and the fixed position in the video? The dual purpose box? Thx.

[@ShortyOnTheFly]

Here is the link but they seem to be sold out. riplipsfishing.com/collections/fly-boxes/products/microslit-compartment-fly-box

[@misicboy1]

@@ShortyOnTheFly thanks. At least I know the style now.

[@skylerkeffer623]

Can I have a link to the black fly box with the extra space at the back for dry flies thx

[@ShortyOnTheFly]

The link that I shared in your other comment is the one.

[@jordanbose706]

Do you prefer the metal fly boxes or the plastic ones?

[@ShortyOnTheFly]

I prefer the plastic ones. They are lighter and they float.

[@williamklein6749]

What are the flies in the top four rows at the 0:54 mark? They appear to be elk hair caddis but the wing doesn't quite look like elk.

[@ShortyOnTheFly]

Those are Caddis patterns but I used Comparadun hair instead of Elk. It does not flair as much and I like the markings a little better.

[@williamklein6749]

@@ShortyOnTheFly Thanks.

[@CarlosGarcia-507]

What kind of box is that that has the nymph and dry compartments?

[@ShortyOnTheFly]

It is a Kingfisher nymph box.

[@Jasper118]

Anyone know what that combo box he has, I really like that set up with half dry half nymphs

[@ShortyOnTheFly]

It is Kingfisher Large Nymph Box. I found it on Amazon but they can be a little hard to find. If you can get to one of the shows and get to the Rip Lips booth, you may be able to get one or something similar.

[@Jasper118]

@@ShortyOnTheFly awesome, thanks a lot!

[@skylerkeffer623]

What are the brands of them

[@markbump9192]

What is the brand of that box that you have all flies in?

[@ShortyOnTheFly]

Kingfisher

[@canadianflyfisher3247]

Just tell people that snicker that they are just jelly beans. Your boxes look great.

[@ShortyOnTheFly]

Thanks. I appreciate your input.

[@flipperkey420]

My problem is I need to get organized with my flies but I need to tie more to make good rows!

[@ShortyOnTheFly]

Start with a smaller box.. Then it will look like you are getting more done. ;-)

[@flipperkey420]

@@ShortyOnTheFly I’m gonna do a lot of tying this weekend!

[@ShortyOnTheFly]

@@flipperkey420 Excellent! I am going to produce a few more videos this weekend.

[@williamklein6749]

Lay out your materials and commit to 5 a day. It's amazing how fast you progress.

[@themegestictree6825]

What box is that exactly?

[@Montenegroarcher]

Ovo je dobro, ali nije mi jasno zašto neko ide na fly fishing I nosi sa sobom 200 flies ? Ja sam flyfisherman 30+ godina. Kada idem u ribolov nosim 10 flies. Poslednjih 13 godina pecam Tenkara stilom. Jednostavnost je ljepša😊

[@PinkBlondeBarbiexo]

omg that is amazing i hate sorting my flys its madness

[@ShortyOnTheFly]

Thank you. The point of the video was to help you get organized so follow my tips and it may reduce the madness.

[@PinkBlondeBarbiexo]

@@ShortyOnTheFly I have spent my whole night sorting flys and got a new box thank you for motivating me I can’t imagine the time it’s taken you to tie and organize all that very impressive 😃

[@ShortyOnTheFly]

@@PinkBlondeBarbiexo Thanks. It really is not that big of a deal to me. As I finish tying the flies they go right into the box. The organization takes place before I ever start tying. I plan out the box ahead of time, put everything on a large index card, and then begin. About a month later, the box is filled.

[@PinkBlondeBarbiexo]

@@ShortyOnTheFly I just finished took 5 hours over 500 thank you for the inspiration 🤗

[@ShortyOnTheFly]

@@PinkBlondeBarbiexo Awesome! I love hearing from folks for whom my tips have been helpful. All the best.

[@jimjobes5187]

Deff little OCD

[@glenndotter5065]

Whatever tweeks your beak.

[@ThatSB]

The problem isnt getting them all in there. It is getting them back in there after you start using them

[@cachi-7878]

Dude! Anybody’s fly box would look like yours, if they had 20 flies of the same pattern, of every pattern they had in it. It’s not difficult. Most people who don’t tie their own flies will own 2-3 of each at best so they end up with a potpourri of flies and their boxes don’t look organized.

[@ShortyOnTheFly]

I cannot imagine being a fly fisherman who does not tie their own flies, but I make a lot of money off of those folks. 😆

[@ThatSB]

In what world have pheasant tails and hare's ears fallen out of style?

[@ShortyOnTheFly]

It has been a while since I did that video but I think I was referring to some of the dry patterns that folks overlook these days. In many of my seminars I mention that if you used nothing but Hare's Ear, Pheasant Tail, and Peacock for abdomens, you could have all the flies you would ever need. Thanks for the feedback.

[@ERone43]

You should write your name and phone number on that box man

[@ShortyOnTheFly]

Oh, they are on all of my boxes. No guarantee but no chance otherwise.