Due to the crappy weather this weekend.
Once again I’ve decided to definitely try to sort out my fly box, after numerous attempts in which I take some out which I think have not been used or caught any fish put them into my stock box’s (which are also full) then rethink well maybe next year I might use them or they might catch fish and end up putting them all back close the lid and carry on as per every year.
What does everybody else do, Is it time to be ruthless, or get a bigger box?
Also does anybody strip off the old dressings from the discarded fly’s nowadays to be able to redress the hooks?

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Alan

It's great to be in the right place at the right time,
But when it comes,You need something good at either end!

Hi Alan, I am just about to do the same.
I try to start the year all sorted out and ready to go, but by the end of the season I have put wet flys in my dry box and so on and I feel I always carry far too many with me.
I despise large fly boxes and carry 4 small ones all the time in various pockets of my waistcoat, but am sure I can get away with only two.
My aim this next outing is to have one dry only box various sizes and patterns with maxium three of each pattern.
And one box of wet / nymphs / bugs a few of each.
That's my aim, we'll see if it works.
Have a nice afternoon.
PS yes being a miserly old sod I do clean off old material and reuse the hooks, but I give them a thorough check before retying.
Cheers S

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"A glint of sun has warmed the air,The flies will soon hatch out, To lure and tempt from their deep lair, The bonnie speckled trout." SKB tackle supporter. I love Furled Leaders.

I too collect all the flies that get damaged so I can reuse the hooks.
The hooks are stripped with a plastic handled 'stanley knife' from Wilkinsons. It retails for about 75p and has about 8 snap off blades for when the edge becomes dulled.
You have to be ruthless in inspecting the hook before reuse. If the blueing has been removed they can rust very quickly. If the shanks are bent or the gape 'wrong' chuck them. Test the point on your finger nail. They should be able to dig into a smooth nail. If they are almost there give them a few strokes with a fine grindstone.
The truth is that most of my fish are caught on less than 10 patterns. Keep a top ten list for your water(s) and ensure that you maintain stock. I have so many flies that I never use. It really is not worth carting them around everywhile.
I am ashamed of occasions of having numerous flies but nothing suitable. Keep up a dicipline of good availability of your 'go-to' flies.
Rusty

I carry a tablet bottle and when a fly gets too bare, i put it into the bottle,every so often i will sit down and strip the flys with a stanley knife.Its the same for all anglers it think boxes of flys and only three or four patterns that we always turn to.

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When the bugle sounds The last parade
and the light grows dim in the eye,
Make sure you say at the pearly gates
That you've come for the evening rise.

Right I have deleted two boxes from my waistcoat.
From now on I have two small boxes of favourite drys and a small metal clip type box with a selection of wets and nymphs in.
Oh I also keep an old tiny round pill type tin in which I have a selection of North country spiders.
I really am going to stick to this and no more...............HONEST.

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"A glint of sun has warmed the air,The flies will soon hatch out, To lure and tempt from their deep lair, The bonnie speckled trout." SKB tackle supporter. I love Furled Leaders.

Mrtrout, I envy you your discipline. you've seen my boxes --- there must be no hope for me; but I shall try next spring. TC

Bl**dy hell TC I forgot about you, don't tell anyone if I cheat and go back to my usual five. It's like a disease.

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"A glint of sun has warmed the air,The flies will soon hatch out, To lure and tempt from their deep lair, The bonnie speckled trout." SKB tackle supporter. I love Furled Leaders.

It will be very interesting to see how long all this fly box dicipline will last..

My record so far is--- 5 outings-- and your's is ?? come on dont be shy admit it....

Probably two TK I hate empty pockets.

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"A glint of sun has warmed the air,The flies will soon hatch out, To lure and tempt from their deep lair, The bonnie speckled trout." SKB tackle supporter. I love Furled Leaders.

I cant help but smile as i read your posts on how you are cutting down with your flies and respective boxes...and yes it always appears to be the same flies that are used often..be it in different sizes.. If i may be bold and suggest that you keep a storage bank..and fly boxes to contain..1 for rivers..2 for stillwaters..3 for dry flies..4 for the favourites and ive tried everything else so im using this fly..