There is no group on individuals in need of organization more than those that tie their own flies. If you’ve ever sat down at the vise only to waste half your time digging through bags of marabou, loose hooks, or mystery piles of flash, you already know how important it is to organize fly tying materials in a clean, consistent system.
This article is inspired by Kelly Galloup’s straightforward, no-nonsense approach to the bench, where every material has a purpose, every tool has a home, and nothing gets in the way of tying. With a little structure and a few smart habits, you can turn a cluttered workspace into a fast, efficient tying station that actually supports creativity instead of slowing it down.
We’ve taken the knowledge shared by the man himself and condensed it into a written form. Some of the items talked about are for sale in Galloup’s shop, and while we have no affiliation, you should support the man who has shared this knowledge so freely. Listen to Kelly Galloup explain his philosophy for organizing his fly tying bench here:
This article may contain Amazon Associate links. As Amazon Associates, we earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you.
Tool Organization
Galloup likes the Renzetti Tool Caddy to organize some bobbins, scissors, and bottles of glue. His fly shop, Slide Inn, has a better price than Amazon. If you have a lot of tools, you can also buy two; this should more than cover even the most well-equipped fly tier.
You’ll also notice the custom elk antler bobbin holder that’s always present on his desk, and that’s a great idea to whip up yourself if you find a shed antler on your next hike through the forest.
The main thing? “When you use something, put it back,” he says.
Plastic Storage Containers to Organize Fly Tying Materials
We’re not the only people who love plastic bins, like Sterilite.
In the video above, he recommends the 6-quart Sterilite boxes for organizing bulky items or items that he has in large quantities, like marabou or individual bags of dubbing. He also uses the deeper, latching size (similar to these 25-quart containers) for bigger items.
Finally, he notes that he’d make custom-sized cardboard dividers within these bins, and tape them in place. This is a great idea, and one we’re surprised we never thought of.
For taller items like feathers, cattails, or quills, he recommends tall, plastic pasta storage containers. The sealed, locking nature of these containers also works well to keep bugs away from your natural materials.
For hooks and beads, Gallup likes these “midge boxes” that can then be stored in individual drawers.
Finally, for fine strands of things like flash or flashabou, he uses plastic storage tubes like these, and notes that you can fit quite a few styles of flash into one of these containers. In fact, you can buy the exact Tyer’s Tubes he uses over at the Slide Inn webstore. Alternatively, these flash pods are a cool solution as well.
For hook storage, he shows a small organizer probably made by C&F Design back in the day. I couldn’t find a modern equivalent to this, but something like the Fishpond/Tacky River Mag could work well in this case.
For all of these items, don’t forget to break out that label maker to make things as easy to find and organized as possible.
Conclusion and Other Things to Consider
Galloup made custom cabinets sized exactly to fit the loose bags of dubbing and chenille that he keeps on hand, and this is a great option if you’re handy in the shop. Otherwise, those cardboard dividers we talked about earlier sound like a great idea. They’re inexpensive, flexible, and easy to replace if your system changes or grows over time.
Beyond the physical storage system, the biggest takeaway from Galloup’s approach is to create a space that invites you in. Organize fly tying materials in a way that encourages creativity, not clutter. A clean, intentional bench means less time hunting for tools and more time at the vise doing what you actually love—cranking out streamers, nymphs, and dry flies that you’re excited to fish.
As you organize fly tying materials, keep a few final guidelines in mind:
• Group similar materials together and keep them in predictable locations (with things you use frequently living closer to you)
• Label everything so you don’t rely on memory
• Choose containers that stack well and fit your space
• Keep a small “working tray” for the current pattern you’re tying
• Schedule a five-minute cleanup at the end of every tying session
Once you organize fly tying materials to match your workflow, you’ll be amazed at how much smoother and more enjoyable each session becomes. A tidy bench keeps your mind clear, your tying efficient, and your creativity flowing. When you take the time to maintain a simple system that makes sense to you, the whole craft opens up and becomes more fun. And if you take one lesson above all from Galloup, it’s this: put things back as soon as you’re done with them. Do that, and your bench will never slide back into chaos.
