Best Fly Fishing Gear Storage
Updated How we research
Simms Dry Creek Boat Bag, 1709-1831 cu in, Sterling, Small
Simms Dry Creek boat bag, small, 1709-1831 cu in, in sterling, a waterproof bag for drift boats and kayaks.
Dr. Slick Waterproof Fly Box with Slit Foam Insert, Large
Dr. Slick large waterproof fly box with slit foam insert, a spacious box from a respected fly accessories brand.
Storage is judged by what it does to a hook point and by whether it survives being sat on in a boat. Two systems dominate fly boxes and they are not interchangeable: slit foam grips a hook bend and suits larger dries and streamers, while magnetic compartments hold small barbless hooks that foam would simply drop, so the box follows the flies you actually fish rather than the other way round. A gasket and a positive latch matter more than the word waterproof printed on a lid, and a box that floats earns the extra volume it costs. Leaders and tippet need separation rather than protection, which is exactly what a slotted or pocketed wallet provides, since coiled leaders left loose become one inseparable object. Rods are protected by length and internal diameter, so a tube quoted for a four piece nine footer is the specification to read, and a case with a reel pocket saves carrying two things. Reels only need abrasion protection, which is why a neoprene sleeve is enough and a hard case is overkill. Bags are chosen by closure before capacity: a roll top or coated zip keeps spray out of a hull, and a stated volume tells you whether a box and a rain shell both fit. What does not matter is compartment count.
The short version
We compared 11 picks. Our scores range from 7.0 to 8.6 out of 10.
- Best overall:Simms Dry Creek Boat Bag, 1709-1831 cu in, Sterling, Small. Highest overall score in this guide at 8.6/10.
- Also great value:Kingfisher Fly Fishing Slim Waterproof Magnetic Compartment Fly Box, 2 Pack. Value score of 9/10, overall 8.0/10.
- Solid build:Dr. Slick Waterproof Fly Box with Slit Foam Insert, Large. Build and materials score of 9/10, overall 8.6/10.
- Feature-rich:Ussuris Fly Fishing Reel Case with Mesh Pocket, Customizable Storage. Features score of 8/10, overall 8.2/10.
Scores are our editorial assessment, not customer ratings. How we score
- 1.Simms Dry Creek Boat Bag, 1709-1831 cu in, Sterling, Small8.6/10See on AmazonCheck price
- 2.Dr. Slick Waterproof Fly Box with Slit Foam Insert, Large8.6/10See on AmazonCheck price
- 3.Ussuris Fly Fishing Reel Case with Mesh Pocket, Customizable Storage8.2/10See on AmazonCheck price
- 4.BW Sports Fly Rod and Reel Case for 10 ft 4-Piece Fly Rods, RC-1004B8.2/10See on AmazonCheck price
- 5.Kingfisher Fly Fishing Slim Waterproof Magnetic Compartment Fly Box, 2 Pack8.0/10See on AmazonCheck price
- 6.Clear Creek Fly Fishing Rod Tube - 9' (Two Piece) - Easy to Carry Complete Protection Storage Case - Interior Divided Organizer and Works With Fresh + Saltwater Rods and Top Brand Name Fishing Rods8.0/10See on AmazonCheck price
- 7.RIO Products Accessories Leader Wallet7.9/10See on AmazonCheck price
- 8.SF Fly Fishing Leader Wallet Quick-Drying 7 Slots Black Mesh Tippet Tapered Leader Pocket Small7.8/10See on AmazonCheck price
- 9.Oak Creek Canyon Falls 30L Dry Bag Backpack. Premium Waterproof Backpack with Padded Shoulder Straps. PVC Construction. Keep Your Gear Dry7.2/10See on AmazonCheck price
- 10.Coldwater Fly Fishing - XL Waterproof slim box slit foam - Portable Fly Fishing Box7.1/10See on AmazonCheck price
- 11.Wooden Fly Box Hand Made Premium Fishing Tackle Box, Size M7.0/10See on AmazonCheck price
#1Simms Dry Creek boat bag, small, 1709-1831 cu in, in sterling, a waterproof bag for drift boats and kayaks.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 9/10 · Value 8/10
- + Waterproof Dry Creek construction keeps gear dry on boat floors
- + Small 1709-1831 cu in size fits reels, boxes and a rain jacket
- + Simms build quality holds up to splashes and rough handling
- - Small capacity is limiting for full-day boat trips with layers
- - Premium price compared with basic tackle bags
#2Dr. Slick large waterproof fly box with slit foam insert, a spacious box from a respected fly accessories brand.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 9/10 · Value 8/10
- + Large size holds a full season's worth of dries and nymphs
- + Dr. Slick quality foam and seals are dependable
- + Waterproof design keeps flies dry during wet wading
- - Large size can be bulky in slim chest packs
- - Slit foam is not ideal for very large streamers
#3Ussuris fly fishing reel case with mesh pocket and customizable storage, a padded case for reels and spare spools.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + Customizable storage adapts to different reel sizes
- + Mesh pocket holds leaders or spare parts
- + Protects reels from scratches and knocks in transit
- - Newer brand with limited durability information
- - Bulkier than simple neoprene reel covers
#4BW Sports RC-1004B fly rod and reel case for 10 ft 4-Piece rods, sized for longer nymphing and switch rods.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + Sized for 10 ft 4-Piece rods like euro nymphing setups
- + Holds rod and reel together for convenience
- + Protective case prevents damage during travel
- - Too long for standard shorter rods
- - Brand has less track record in the fly market
#5Kingfisher slim waterproof magnetic compartment fly box, 2 Pack, for holding dry flies and small nymphs securely.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 9/10
- + Magnetic compartments grip hooks so flies do not blow away when opened
- + Slim profile slides into shirt pockets and small chest packs
- + 2 Pack lets you split dries and nymphs into separate boxes
- - Magnets hold tiny hooks well but struggle with large streamers
- - Compartment boxes can mix patterns when the box is tipped over
#6Clear Creek two-piece 9 foot fly rod tube in coated 600D nylon with a padded reel compartment, divided interior and molded rubber base.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10
- + Polyurethane-coated 600D nylon with reinforced seams and a molded rubber base is listed for protecting a rod in travel.
- + A padded reel compartment and divided interior liners keep rod sections and the reel separate in one tube.
- + Zippered padded flip-top with lockable pulls and an adjustable handle make it practical to carry through airports.
- - This listing is sized for a 9 foot two-piece rod, so longer or multi-piece rods need a different size.
- - A soft-sided design gives less crush protection than a rigid aluminum tube.
#7RIO Products leader wallet, a simple organizer for keeping pre-tied leaders and tippet sorted in a vest or pack.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 6/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10
- + Keeps leaders separated to avoid tangles in the gear bag
- + RIO design fits neatly in most vest and chest pack pockets
- + Trusted brand with durable materials for regular use
- - Check the pocket count and size before ordering
- - Simple design lacks mesh drying pockets on some models
#8SF quick-drying 7 slots black mesh leader wallet, a small tippet and tapered leader pocket organizer.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + 7 slots keep several leader sizes separate
- + Quick-drying mesh helps prevent damp leaders from degrading
- + Small size fits easily in a chest pack or shirt pocket
- - Small format limits how many leaders you can carry
- - Black mesh makes leader labels harder to read
#9Oak Creek Canyon Falls 30L roll-top dry bag backpack in heavy gauge PVC with padded straps, a front pocket and mesh side pockets, a lower-cost boat bag option.
Fit for the job 7/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + Heavy gauge PVC with a roll-top buckle closure is listed to keep gear dry in boating and rafting use.
- + Padded adjustable shoulder straps, a sternum strap and back padding make a heavy load easier to carry.
- + A 30L volume, zippered front pocket and mesh bottle pockets hold layers, lunch and small gear.
- - It is a dry bag backpack, not a structured duffel like the Simms boat bag it replaces, and costs much less.
- - PVC has no internal dividers, so tackle and wet gear need their own pouches.
#10XL slim waterproof box with slit foam and waterproof latches from an Idaho-based fly fishing business. A mid-priced large box, not a like-for-like match for the premium C&F it replaces.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 6/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 7/10
- + XL size with added depth to take larger flies and streamers as well as standard patterns
- + Thin waterproof box with secure waterproof latches, per the listing
- + Sold by a US fly fishing business based in Southeast Idaho trout country
- - The listing gives no dimensions, fly capacity or details of the slit foam layout
- - Standard slit foam rather than the micro slit foam of the premium box it replaces
#11Hand made premium wooden fly box in size M, a classic, giftable fly box for anglers who appreciate craftsmanship.
Fit for the job 7/10 · Features and specs 6/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 7/10
- + Hand made wooden design makes an attractive gift
- + Size M holds a good selection of flies for a day out
- + Traditional look complements bamboo and glass rods
- - Wood can swell or warp if left wet
- - Not waterproof, so flies must be dried before storing
Before you buy: trade-offs we flagged
No pick is perfect. These are the main compromises we noted for the top products in this guide, so you can check they will not matter for you.
- Small capacity is limiting for full-day boat trips with layers (Simms Dry Creek Boat Bag, 1709-1831 cu in,...)
- Large size can be bulky in slim chest packs (Dr. Slick Waterproof Fly Box with Slit Foam...)
- Newer brand with limited durability information (Ussuris Fly Fishing Reel Case with Mesh...)
- Too long for standard shorter rods (BW Sports Fly Rod and Reel Case for 10 ft...)
- Magnets hold tiny hooks well but struggle with large streamers (Kingfisher Fly Fishing Slim Waterproof...)
- This listing is sized for a 9 foot two-piece rod, so longer or multi-piece rods need a different size. (Clear Creek Fly Fishing Rod Tube - 9' (Two...)
Frequently asked questions
›What is the best choice among fly fishing gear storage?
Simms Dry Creek Boat Bag, 1709-1831 cu in, Sterling, Small is our top overall pick. Simms Dry Creek boat bag, small, 1709-1831 cu in, in sterling, a waterproof bag for drift boats and kayaks. It earns our score of 8.6/10, based on fit for the job, features, build and value.
›What is a good budget option?
Dr. Slick Waterproof Fly Box with Slit Foam Insert, Large is the strongest low-cost pick in this guide. Dr. Slick large waterproof fly box with slit foam insert, a spacious box from a respected fly accessories brand.
›How much should I expect to spend?
Picks in this guide span See on Amazon price bands (roughly: $ = under $30, $$ = $30 to $100, $$$ = over $100). We never display exact prices because they change constantly, so the buttons above always show Amazon's current price.
›How were these products chosen?
We shortlist products that fit the job this guide solves and compare their published specifications, such as size, capacity, materials and what is included. Each pick gets an editorial score out of 10 for fit, features, build and value, and we write the pros and cons from those details. Our score is not an Amazon customer rating. We earn a commission if you buy through our links, which never affects the ranking.
Fly Fish Nest independently selects every product; we may earn a commission from links above.
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