In a follow up post to our last DIY, I wanted to share a larger, streamer box, made for your monster flies. This is another easy build, using 6mm foam and a plastic case. I used a single layer of the 6mm foam, but in the past I've also used two. Having the extra thickness doesn't hurt and gives you a little room for error.

I love these boxes and have built them in a variety of sizes. Through the same company as before, Flambeau, you can get the same boxes you might find at Michael's craft store under the Art Bin name. You're just cutting out the middle man ordering them from the web, and avoiding having their logo burned in the top.

You can find the different sizes on the Flambeau webpage. See here: FLAMBEAU TRADESMAN CASES. Also be sure to check out their Clearance page. The green case used in this DIY is the 10 1/2 in case and cost $1.84. As of publication, there are still some available.

You can get these cases with and without egg shell foam through Flambeau. With the foam they make great fly tying travel cases for just a few bucks. The foam keeps your materials from moving around and it'll hold most fly bases I've encountered.

I figure cost out the door is around between $4 and $6 depending on the extra layer of foam and size of choice. Beats the heck out of $35 and a trip to the fly shop.

For this you'll need two (or four if you want thicker pad) sheets of 6mm foam, Flambeau case (this is the 10 1/2 in), a razor cutter or Exacto knife, a straight edge, and spray adhesive. — For this you'll need two (or four if you want thicker pad) sheets of 6mm foam, Flambeau case (this is the 10 1/2 in), a razor cutter or Exacto knife, a straight edge, and spray adhesive.

Using a hard surface, use the case's edge to create an indentation in the foam.

Use the indentation and trace around to create your case panels.

After cutting, give it a dry fit and any necessary trimming. — After cutting, give it a dry fit and any necessary trimming.

Grab that Exacto knife and using the straight edge, cut your slit about 3/4 of the way through the foam.  Be careful not to cut all the way through.  Any cuts through will allow your adhesive to leak through in later steps. — Grab that Exacto knife and using the straight edge, cut your slit about 3/4 of the way through the foam. Be careful not to cut all the way through. Any cuts through will allow your adhesive to leak through in later steps.

Give it a final dry fit and decide which fits each side best.

Be sure to have your spray adhesive the same temperature as your foam to eliminate your foam curling.  Spray all the way to the edges and place in the appropriate side. — Be sure to have your spray adhesive the same temperature as your foam to eliminate your foam curling. Spray all the way to the edges and place in the appropriate side.

Use weight if necessary to ensure the adhesive is dry.

Final product, ready for some articulated goodness. You can also add another foam surface on the front/face of the case by cutting out an extra panel and using the spray adhesive as above. — Final product, ready for some articulated goodness. You can also add another foam surface on the front/face of the case by cutting out an extra panel and using the spray adhesive as above.

I'm a big fan of supporting all fly shops and spending what I can, both local and when I travel. I enjoy trying to give back to the local economy and fly industry and it's always good connecting with some of the local fly guys in their own environment. Hell just ask Jeremy at DuPage Fly. But there are some things that I think are a bit over priced or I may already own, and want another.

After buying a few of the popular Cliff Boxes, I was hooked. The boxes hold the exact amount of flies needed for varying adventures, as well as larger boxes for streamers and swinging flies. I had been eyeing one of their larger streamer boxes while at the fly shop one afternoon and just couldn't convince myself to spend $30+ on a glorified box that looked like it could easily hold colored pencils as much as flies. After doing some research, I found out that one of my customers is actually the company that manufactures the empty cases. When I found out how much each box was, and what it would take to turn it in to a fly box, I placed an order and sat back and waited. My first evening, I had put together four streamer boxes, and spent less than $24. Ever since, I get a handful of requests around the holidays for gift exchanges.

After having more than a few people ask me for the details on how to build one, I figured I'd share this with the rest of the class.

Secret #1 - Flambeau is the company that manufactures boxes that seem identical to the ones you see in the store. See here: FLAMBEAU 2020-2 ONE COMPARTMENT

Total cost for this project was about $13, and that included a 4 pack of magnet sheets for $9. And you can probably get about 6-9 of these boxes per mag sheet. So the more you make, the less expensive each becomes.

Here's the rest of what you need:Scissors and razor blade, 6mm foam sheet, magnetic sheet with sticky back, straight edge — Here's the rest of what you need:
Scissors and razor blade, 6mm foam sheet, magnetic sheet with sticky back, straight edge

This is the empty box.  My thought behind this was small nymphs on one side and dry flies or larger nymphs on the other.  One side is thinner than the other and it's up to you which is which.  I chose to use the deeper of the two… — This is the empty box. My thought behind this was small nymphs on one side and dry flies or larger nymphs on the other. One side is thinner than the other and it's up to you which is which. I chose to use the deeper of the two for my dries.

Use the case to get a rough outline the size of the box on the magnet.  It should be a little more than 2.5" wide and about 3.5" tall. — Use the case to get a rough outline the size of the box on the magnet. It should be a little more than 2.5" wide and about 3.5" tall.

Use the razor to cut and trim the magnet sheet.  Fit it in place, and when you're ready, peel the back off and apply to your preferred side. — Use the razor to cut and trim the magnet sheet. Fit it in place, and when you're ready, peel the back off and apply to your preferred side.

Measure and cut, using the straight edge, 2-3 foam strips.  I recommend fitting and trimming before gluing. — Measure and cut, using the straight edge, 2-3 foam strips. I recommend fitting and trimming before gluing.

Glue in the strips using super glue or head cement.  Be careful here as the glue may cause the foam to slide.  Let it dry and you're done. — Glue in the strips using super glue or head cement. Be careful here as the glue may cause the foam to slide. Let it dry and you're done.

Depending on the set up you're looking for, they cover most of the needs you'll run in to and modifying or customizing the boxes is a cinch. I'll show how I build the others in later posts as there are some tricks to the streamer boxes and cutting the slits to hold the flies.

Hope this helps and Happy Holidays!

G & S Blog