Fly box preference?

[flyguy]

There are tons of different types of fly boxes out there...so I'm having trouble picking out a few to buy.

I made a little collage with nine boxes I like...but I want to narrow it down to three.

Should I go with large or small boxes?
Are clear boxes better?
What type of foam is the best?
Is waterproof a must?

Thanks for the help!

 

[tgerke1]

My preference is the magnetic flip open foam ones that don't latch shut. Some people prefer their fly box to be waterproof, but mine never get wet so I prefer them to be easy to open.

What I love more than anything is the new style inside where the foam is slit for each fly. It makes putting flies in and taking them out easier and also automatically makes your box look more organized. Go for one of these.

As for size, I've got a bigger box for nymphs and a smaller one for dries. That all depends on how many flies you need to store and where you keep the box.

 

[ninja2010]

i have the one that's like #6 and #7... clear lid, double sided, slit foam. waterproof and floats.

 

[halibuthitman]

no.4 and 7

 

[GungasUncle]

I have owned No. 7 since July. Three weeks ago the hinge cracked badly, ruining the box. It wasn't abused, it didn't get dropped or fallen on. It just broke. I was bummed, because it's a great concept. I liked the locking mechanism, the water tight seal, and the slot-foam. *(*&()^ plastic for the lids killed it though. For $25 (the price I paid for that box) I'm going to go buy the Wheatley knock off Okuma makes. It's all aluminum, has something like 16 window compartments on one side, and 30 clips on the opposite lid. I'm done with plastic fly boxes at this point. Too many broken ones.

Other than going the all aluminum route - I picked up a mid-size Guide Series fly wallet. It's a semi-hard sided, zipper closed wallet with a D-ring and a belt clip. I don't use the belt clip (won't go down clip-on box road again, after loosing 200+ flies in one) - but I did get a quick release net holder and attached to the D-ring, so this fly wallet rides on the outside of my vest, freeing up the big pocket for my smaller wet fly box (a Perrine) and some other gear, or the little foam freeby box I've got.

If I *had* to pick from your collage, I'd go with No 8.

**added some images of said Plano fly wallet**