I've given up on the kind of flyboxes in which you stick flies into foam ribs or strips. Takes me too long to get 'em in and out, especially with cold fingers or gloves, and the hackles have a tendency to get squashed. I use little clear plastic boxes divided into 4-, 6- or 8 partitions that hold a half dozen or so flies, separated by type.
Danica makes a sweet box with individual clear hinged lids over each partition for about $10 at Outdoor Emporium. I also use the little Plano boxes for about $3 each from GI Joes, Gart and others. I load up individual boxes with a selection of flies for the water I intend to fish. Then it's a simple matter of slipping the appropriate box or two into a vest pocket. I've also started using larger (about 10" x 15" x 2") divided Plano boxes for my main collection of flies. Kind of like a small version of the fly display at a shop. I have different boxes for drys, nymphs, streamers, etc. When the flies in a vest box run low, I stock up from one of the larger ones. When the flies in the larger boxes start to run low, it's time to tie some more. Kent Lufkin
