How to Display Flyfishing Flies

Fly fishing flies are displayed for retail sale, personal use or home decoration. Displaying flies requires organization to maintain size and style separations. Specialized bins and boxes are sold for fly displays, or you can easily build them. Fly displays rely on simple concepts, but organizing them can get confusing when thousands of flies are added to the equation. Single fly displays are easier to organize, but creating an artistic presence requires a decorative touch.

Things You'll Need

  • Display bins
  • Display boxes
  • Fly boxes with foam lining
  • Picture frame
  • Picture matting
  • Tape
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Instructions

    • 1

      Take inventory of the flies, and divide them into nymph, streamer and dry fly categories. Separate the flies within each category by the specific fly name and size. For example, place a size 12 Adams in the dry fly category, but keep it separate from the size 14 Adams.

    • 2

      Place each bunch of categorized flies in an open-top container, for retail purposes. Clear plastic boxes are sold for retail fly displays. Place the small boxes in a greater display case, and arrange the boxes in separate displays for each main category. Arrange the boxes in ascending order according to size. For example, the dry fly section will have a size 10, 12, 14 and 16 Adams in left-to-right order. Repeat for each additional pattern, to maintain groupings according to size and category.

    • 3

      Display the flies in a foam fly box according to fly type, name and size. Use one fly box for a small collection, or use separate boxes for dry flies, nymphs and streamers for large collections. Hook the flies on the foam rows to hold a steady position and prevent losing the flies when you open the box.

    • 4

      Purchase or construct a picture frame, and place matting inside it. Cut a recessed section from the center of the matting to display a single fly. Add pictures and sketches to the edges of the matting, for a custom look. Place an attractive fly in the center, with a small piece of rolled tape to hold it in place.