'Drying racks' for flies

[fenton]

Another basic question which I hope will unveil some useful tips,.....

How do members hold their flies while waiting for the varnish to dry? I usually tie a batch of flies at a time, then varnish all together.

Do folks use 'drying racks', if so are there any tips for home made devices please?

cheers
F

[uskgrub]

I just have a piece of foam or polystyrene at the side of my tying bench to stick the flies in once finished. I also varnish my flies as soon as their finished, to make sure all the dressing is secured nice and tightly.

If your tying tubes, then just stick a cocktail stick in one end of the tube and then this can be stuck in the foam also

[tayspringer]

I do the same. Polystyrene block

[paulsewin]

Strips of foam glued to a piece of wood or plastic for hooks. A friend of mine uses a polystyrene ceiling tile.

I use paper clips to hold tube flies.

[easky]

I use purpose built fly holders similar to the ones that Macd uses (see his thread on Gold Cascade). It is basially a piece of wood with 5 or 6 holes drilled out - then use the little holders (they are an electrical component for wiring etc, sub-electric probe I think they are called, they are cheap and you can pick them up from Maplins ).

hope this helps

[donnieW]

I use the magnetic strip from these thingys you use to hold kitchen knives on the wall. (I don't hang the flies on the wall - just have the magnetic strip lying flat!) I think "kitchen devil" make them and they only cost a couple of quid

[alun]

I use a length of bead chain hung up to hang flies on like a washing line, the beads stop the flies moving together and the beads are good for some of the salty flies I tie

[fenton]

Ahhh,

I knew that there would be some useful novel suggestions out there! Mant thanks
F

[jkboy]

I just fix the hook in the hackle pliers and dangle them over the edge of a table - since I usually just tie a couple at a time it's nae bother - not much use if your'e tying loads though unless you've got plenty pairs of hackle pliers.

[jones]

As with other a polystyrene block. Think you buy them for punching out booby eyes for trout flies. Cheap, effective and handy for sticking needles etc in.

Jones

[mikeyny]

Here's a picture of my old desk
i150.photobucket.com/albums/s93/mikeyny_photo/bench.jpg

I use a piece of wood as a holding place for finished flies/bodies and the a piece of cardboard
1'' by 12'' to stick the flies in , mostly i varnish at night and place the cardboard and flies in the vise to keep them straight and the voids in the cardboard hold the flies perfectly , i have had as many as 24 flies drying in the piece of cardboard .
its also suitable for tube flies with a hat pin as an insert in to the cardboard .

[altmor]

Like others, a polystyrene block - the type you get in packaging in TV boxes and the like. Mind you - I'm running out of room in the house - 16 TV's at the last count ;D

Altmor

[doublehooked]

Hey Altmor
Is that one in the lounge, one in the kitchen, one in your bedroom and the thirteen kids have got one each. Discount the one in the bedroom (brand new never even been switched on).

[smokiesalmon]

i use a round piece of foam and grannys old alarm clock . take working out of the clock attach foam to second hand spindle there you go troops you have a fly dryer wich also allows the varnish to dry evenly ............................if you have a spare rolex thats even better due to the smooth action lol it works lads

[salmonnut]

I have Found that the door magnets found in fridge and freezer doors are excellent for this purpose. Simply nail a peice of finished 8mm or 10mm door check to a peice of plywood (base) on the vetical, then glue the fridge magnet to the top of the doorcheck strap..You can make your board as a single or multiple lines on the base depending on the amount of flys you are tying. I will try to post a photo of my rack when i get time.

[altmor]

doublehooked said:

Hey Altmor
Is that one in the lounge, one in the kitchen, one in your bedroom and the thirteen kids have got one each. Discount the one in the bedroom (brand new never even been switched on).

;D ;D ;D

[juniorspey]

i usually tie big batches, use about 10" of 4" post with nails hammered all around....not a work of art...but effective!!!

[Speyducer]

Here are a few tied earlier...







Mike

[rpsalmon]

Yes, someone has been busy.

I'm not a fan of templedogs in general but those Willie Gunn tubes look delicious. Like to see the hair looking a little rough, or natural looking, rather than the neat/shaving brush look.

[salmonnut]

My Drying rack. Simple and Effective