The Best Fly Boxes in 2024 – Get Organized with Our 9 Top Picks

Is it ever possible to have too many flies?

If you are like me and seem to catch more flies than you do fish, you will need somewhere to store them all.

For that, you’ll need to get your hands on the best fly box you can!

I’ve tried a fair few out and will help you by showing you what I’ve learned. You’ll find a whole variety below, and a few have some really amazing features.

In Short – TOP 3 Fly Boxes & What to Look For

When buying fly boxes, there are some things a fly box must have for me to take out my wallet and buy it.

Here is what I look for:

If you can find a fly box that meets all of these demands then you are onto a winner and should purchase it!

Here are my favorites from the article that I would recommend. You can find a more detailed review of each in the section below too!

Best For Small Flies

The SF Super Slim Fly Fishing Fly Box is my favorite for small flies. It is super lightweight and very thin so you can carry it in any pocket you like. The clear lid makes it easy to select all your flies and the foam ensures they stay organized and are easy to put in/take out.

To top it all off, it floats, is waterproof, and it’s very affordable. It’s the perfect box for your waders as you can fill it up with 156 small nymphs and dry flies.

Best For Dry Flies

The Fishpond Tacky Flydrophobic Fly Box is quite incredible. No other fly box will keep your dry flies as in good condition as this one!

What is so special about this fly box is that it breathes and actively pulls moisture out of your dry flies. Dry flies have to float to be effective, and if they are wet, they sink! This box solves all these issues.

You can fit 100 dry flies in here, the silicone matt ensures they won’t rust and stay organized, plus it is both waterproof and floats!

Best All-Around Fly Box

I like to have one go-to fly box with a mixture of everything in it, so I only have to open one to find the fly I need, most of the time. The Dr.Fish Fly Fishing Box in its large size does just that.

The fly box is double sided so you can separate flies into categories. I always do nymphs and dries on one side, and wet and streamers on the other. Plus it is large enough to fit large streamers in too.

The lids are clear so you can spot the fly you want without opening the box. It is also waterproof, floats, and is durable too.

Best Fly Boxes for Small Flies

Small flies don’t take up a lot of space, but they can be difficult to see and organize. Ideally, you want a fly box that makes them easy to pick out.

Here are some suggestions:

SF Super Slim Fly Fishing Fly Box

Check Price on Amazon.com

Have you got a lot of gear?

Even if you’ve taken the time to invest in a fly fishing pack, it’s still worth remembering that fly fishing is about traveling light. Space is at a premium in your vest or waders, and bulky fly boxes are not the way to go.

This is a great solution.

Provided you like fishing with smaller patterns, this ultra-slim fly fishing box has the lowest profile of any that I have seen. You don’t have to worry about the length either. It also comes as a dual two-part set of smaller boxes.

One thing that I find particularly great is the clear cover. You can see the flies inside without having to open the box, which is much better for keeping them dry.

And that’s not all.

Due to its lining and construction, the box floats and is waterproof too! So if you happen to drop it, you won’t lose all of your flies and can collect it down stream.

Pros

• Ultra-slim construction.
• Huge capacity.
• Super lightweight.
• Waterproof and it floats.
• Clear lid for finding flies.
• Excellent matt that holds flies well.
• Space for 150+ flies.

Cons

• Not for larger or bushy flies as they get crushed.

Takeaway

Trout fishing usually means small nymphs and dries, and we fly anglers trout fish more than anything else. This slim, light fly box is perfect for carrying your favorite nymphs and dries. It is waterproof, floats, holds flies well, is easy to organize plus it is both durable and affordable.

C&F Design CF-101 Fly Box

Check Price on Amazon.com

If you have any experience with making your own flies, you’ll already know what I’m going to tell you about C&F design.

If not, here’s the deal.

They produce premium fishing products, and they have clever features.

Like what?

Well, aside from 5 tiered sections that are perfect for getting super organized when it comes to your flies, you’ll also find a little extra.

Included with the box are 5 custom-made threaders. These make tying your flies onto the line really easy. Even those tiny midges!

To make this even easier, the fly box is backed with a white high visibility layer that provides a miniature sight board, helping you see the flies more easily.

Pros

• Clever design.
• Included threaders.
• Space for 100+ flies.
• White face facilitates seeing.
• Floats and is waterproof.
• Good foam matt.

Cons

• While the threaders are great, they are easily lost.
• No clear lid.

Takeaway

C&F produces very high-quality gear. It’s very refined and advanced. If you fish ultralight with tiny flies, this is one of the best fly boxes for midges, especially with the included threaders and sight board.

Best Fly Boxes for Dry Flies

The clue is in the name. To make sure they float, you will want to keep your flies as dry as possible.

Here are a few boxes that will achieve this. Some even dry your flies after use!

Fishpond Tacky Flydrophobic Fly Box

Check Price on Amazon.com

Fishpond boasts that this is the most innovative fly box ever built.

Bold claim. Is it true?

Well, it’s certainly futuristic. The box is both breathable and waterproof, so it should keep your flies dry, and if they are wet, allow them to breathe and dry.

As waterproof boxes go, this is certainly one of the best. The box has a latchless closure system. When twinned with the rubber gasket surrounding the perimeter, it makes a completely waterproof seal.

The flies are secured by hooking them to a silicone mat. The lid holds a patented eVent fabric that draws moisture out of your flies. It really works!

Aside from this technology, the box is super durable, and you’ll fit up to 100 different flies within, making it ideal as an all-in-one solution.

Pros

• The bright orange lining makes flies super easy to see.
• Clever technology that dries your flies really quickly.
• Convenient latchless closure system.
• Easy to fill and organize flies.
• Waterproof and floats.
• Durable and long-lasting.
• Holds 100+ flies.

Cons

• Because of the eVent lining, a half of the box is wasted.

Takeaway

I really like this. For a selection of dry flies, it is a real blessing as it pays to be able to dry them off quickly—definitely the best dry fly box on my list.

Best Fly Boxes for Wet Flies and Streamers

Wet flies and streamers tend to be a little bigger, so you are going to need a larger box.

And preferably one that you can see into without having to thumb through piles of feathers.

Here are some great suggestions.

Tacky Original Fly Fishing Fly Box

Check Price on Amazon.com

How often do you like to fish?

I hope you said ‘a lot’! And if that is the case, you are going to want something that lasts.

This is one of the most durable fly boxes on my list. Its standout feature is the durable and stretchy silicone grip. Once you’ve hooked your flies in, they aren’t going anywhere!

Considering how many flies you can take (especially if you opt for the double-sided box), it actually has a really slim profile.

It would make a great choice to throw in an over-the-shoulder sling pack. If you haven’t seen how much you can fit in these bags, it might be time to take a look. You can see my sling pack guide here!

Anything else?

Sure, the standout thing for me is the magnetic lid-locking system. To open the box is effortless, especially with cold hands. The magnet is strong enough to keep the lid completely sealed while it is in your pocket.

Pros

• Amazing capacity based on the profile.
• Packed with clever features to make it easier to use.
• Convenient magnetic closure.
• Clear lid for fly identification.
• Water-resistant and floats for a while.

Cons

• A little long.
• Not waterproof and will sink eventually.

Takeaway

Okay, so it isn’t the shortest fly box ever. But that’s okay. For bigger patterns, it would be ideal. If you want the best fly box for streamers, then it’s a good shout!

Great All Round Fly Boxes

Maybe you don’t want to commit a single box to one type of fly, or you just like carrying one.

These suggestions should see you right.

Dr. Fish Fly Fishing Box

Check Price on Amazon.com

Looking for a little bit of variety?

Allow me to introduce you to Dr.Fish.

These budget boxes offer great performance and excellent value. For the money, they share a lot of features with some of my more premium fly boxes.

This budget fly box is waterproof. The perimeter is sealed, and the box locks tight with an ABS plastic clip. Once it’s shut, it stays shut, so no sharp hooks wandering around in your pockets.

One feature I really like is the bubble plastic lid. There’s plenty of room above the foam interior mounting tray, so even your bushy winged patterns won’t be crushed.

The size of the box is just perfect for slipping into my vest too. If you haven’t seen what size pockets fly fishing vests have, it might be worth checking out some cool fly fishing vests here. Then you can get a better idea of the fly box to suit you.

Pros

• Great value and plenty of capacity.
• A roomy fly box with a clear lid, great for all patterns.
• Waterproof and floats.
• Durable and affordable.
• Easy to organize and holds flies well.

Cons

• The plastic can get brittle in cold weather.

Takeaway

For anyone on a budget or looking for a great all-around box, these boxes are amazing. They are pretty tough, and you can fit a large number of flies within, plus they have a clear lid, are waterproof, and float. What more could you want?

A Quick Guide to Fly Boxes

So you’ve got good enough that you know your nymphs from your gnats and your muddlers from your midges… You are getting quite the collection of flies and are looking for some storage solutions.

Let me offer you a few pointers on what to look for when buying a fly box.

What Size Fly Box Do You Need?

Let me say it when it comes to fly boxes…

Size matters.

Two things are going to dictate the size of the fly box you need. The first is the size and number of flies that you have.

Obvious, right?

The second is where you intend to store the fly box when you are actually fishing. There are some huge boat-style fly boxes out there, but they are super impractical for stowing in a vest or pack.

If a fly box doesn’t fit into your pocket, you will not get the benefit. Take a look at your vest, waders, or pack and measure how much space you have for a fly box or two.

It will save you the hassle of either having to buy another fly box or wrestling something slightly too big in and out of your pockets every time you want to change the fly.

If you want to know how to arrange a vest, here’s a handy video.

What is the Best Type of Fly Box?

Now don’t get me wrong.

I think the A.L. Swanson River Series Fly Boxes are absolutely beautiful. Are they the best type for me?

No.

I have far too many patterns to truly appreciate something so artisanal.

For me, I like something that I can bash around, drop in the water, fill with sopping wet flies, and know that it will be in the same condition in a year as it is now.

The best type of fly box differs for each angler. If you want a perfect fly box for midges, go for something small that allows you to clearly see each tiny fly. If you have streamers or wet flies, go for something long and with depth.

If you are fishing dry flies, be sure to pick a box that focuses on keeping them dry and not crushed.

Try and match your fly box to the type of flies you will be using most often. Provided you’ve got enough room, you can create a ‘secondary’ section for those ‘when all else fails’ flies.

Materials

Here’s the truth.

Hooks get wet, and hooks get rusty.

Pick the wrong material in your fly box, and you’ll end up with a rusty brown mess that looks old very quickly. When it comes to the material, you want something that does absorb water and is durable.

This is for two reasons.

First, you want your fly box material to grip your flies tightly. Loose flies are not a good thing, especially when it’s windy. You open your box, and you’ve just lost that $2 nymph that you were hoping to try.

Second, when you push and pull hooks out of sub-standard material, you end up with two things… Chips and rips plus a load of rust. Low-quality fly boxes don’t stay looking new for long.

While we are talking materials, consider the outer casing too.

Why?

I tie some pretty wild patterns. Sometimes it takes me hours. The last thing I need is to have my hard work ruined or lost if I drop the box on a rock and it breaks. For this reason, I tend to look at boxes with flexible plastic covers. They are more durable in cold weather too.

Waterproof Floating Fly Boxes

Here’s a feature that the guides won’t tell you about.

Here’s my gift to you… I learned this the hard way.

Pick a fly box that floats and is waterproof.

Half of the fun of fly fishing is wading. Half of the fun of fly fishing is not watching your fly box with 200+ flies slip from your grasp and disappear into the current, never to be seen again.

A waterproof floating fly box will save you a lot of money in the long run.

A Fly Box with Extra Features

So, you’ve got something that’s the right size, fits all of your flies in, is tough, durable, waterproof, and floats.

So what’s left?

Now is the time when you can start refining your choice with little extras that make a good fly box great.

Like what?

I personally love a magnetic locking system on my fly boxes. They are so convenient when you have cold and wet hands. They are easy to open and close one-handed.

You’ll have seen from the above list that clear lids are a nice addition to any fly box. By being able to peer in without opening my box, I can keep my flies nice and dry, even if it is raining.

And when it isn’t raining?

I have a lot of flies. And at least three fly boxes. Working out which fly box holds which flies without going through the hassle of undoing the catch and opening the box is worth its weight in gold.

Boxing Up

Thank you very much for reading my article on the best fly boxes. I hope you enjoyed it, have learned a little about fly boxes, and have found the perfect one, two, or three for your needs!

Remember, it should be waterproof, float, have a clear lid, and fit the size of flies you want to store in it perfectly!

So what do you think? There’s much more than meets the eye when it comes to the best fly boxes isn’t there.

If you are looking to get kitted out with everything, I’ve got an excellent guide on the other things you might need for fly fishing.

Please let me know what you thought of the article and if you have any questions by leaving a comment in the section below. I would love to hear from you!