BLACKLAND WOODWORKS - Building A Fly Box - Part 2

In Part 1 of Blackland Woodworks Building A Fly Box post, Justin Whisenant did a lot of work to take a piece of rough board and began turning it into something that was beginning to look like something you'd want to put a few dozen favorite flies in.  Justin completes the work in this post today and the end product is beautifully done.

The magnets mortised into both halves serve to keep the fly box securely closed.  They also add no bulk to the front like a latch does, so the box can slip in and out of pockets easily

A couple coats of shellac provide protection for the wood.  While fairly glossy, it also adds some texture that keeps the box from being too slick out on the water.  You don’t want to watch your new fly box float away.  Also, the box pictured here is one I just completed for a client, and it had some sensational grain.  I just had to show it off.

My apprentice cleaning the shop.  He’ll be making fly boxes soon enough.

The finish on the boxes begins with a couple thoroughly polished layers of my special oil mix.

Is that liner felt?  Would you like it to be?  That line never works, but this European felt sure does.  This stuff is 100% wool and extra thick and dense to keep flies well anchored.  I tried these boxes with foam liners, and it just did not have any soul.  Moral of story, when you need some soul, find a sheep.

Brass hinges and screws reunite the separated halves.  What was cleaved asunder has been rejoined into one.

This fly box is now complete and ready to be filled with flies.

Thanks Justin for the step by step build on this excellent fly box.  I have an upcoming fly tutorial by Matt Bennett of Fly Geek and we'll be giving away this fly box filled with a dozen of Matt's favorite flies.

Visit the Blackland Woodworks website for more information.  Follow along on the Facebook page and email Justin at blacklandwoodworks@gmail.com if you have any questions or would like to place an order for your own fly box.