Clearing Your Fly-Tying Bench of Clutter

"Art is the elimination of the unnecessary.”
- Pablo Picasso.

This month to put a twist in this month’s TIE THIS! Feature and instead talk about some basic tips on keeping your fly tying bench a little less cluttered. I am guilty about letting my tying station get cluttered up and becoming a crazy mess as much as the next person. But I hope to be better about it now. Let’s explore some essentials, and I will share some of my own tips and tricks to help you streamline your bench and create an efficient and enjoyable tying experience.

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My fly tying bench is a folding table looking fairly clean and organized.

Create a Space For Creativity and NOT Work.
I have found over the years that having a special dedicated space for my fly tying helps me focus, keep track of my materials and actually cultivates a place for me to be creative. This space does not have to be a separate room. It is nice however to have a place that you don't have to set up every time you want to tie flies. The point of dedicating a space for this is that you will have a place to keep your tools and materials. You can personalize your area and make it support your creativity. Let the space be a place you go to be creative and avoid looking at your space as a place you have to "work".  I know some people tie flies as work.. but even then you should look at your work as a time to be creative and have fun. Never let your tying become a tedious activity. Add some pictures, maps, diagrams, books, or fly displays. Clutter is a sign that we are not slowing down to the moment. Roll top desks are nice but can be bulky and expensive.  I have a fold away desk from IKEA that I use that works great.

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Organize Your Materials
Efficient organization of your fly-tying materials is key to a well-managed bench. Consider using clear plastic containers, drawer dividers, or small tackle boxes to sort and store materials such as feathers, fur, threads, and beads. Label each container to easily locate specific items when needed. I have found pill boxes great for holding yarn, dubbing and hooks.  I have also found folders with clear pockets for photos work great for holding feathers. By keeping your materials together you not only keep them organized you also know what you have and what you may need to replace or NOT buy more of on impulse when you see it.  Seeing materials you have can also be inspiring to you

Some of my tricks

Pill boxes are a great way to keep manageable amounts of yarn near by. Store the larger skeins away and have a sample like this.

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I like boxes more than racks but you can easily make a rack like this with a piece of wood, some dowels and a drill.

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One of my favorite ways to keep feathers is in a photo flip book. The pages are archival and your feathers become very organized.

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I keep my hooks from spilling all over the place by using this magnetic bowl. This keeps my carpet and socks free of stray hooks.

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• Tools: Arrange your fly tying tools in a manner that suits your workflow. Keep frequently used tools such as scissors, bobbins, and hackle pliers within arm's reach. Utilize a tool caddy or a desk organizer with compartments to keep everything neatly organized and easily accessible.
• Thread: Managing spools of thread can be a hassle if not properly organized. A simple thread rack or pegboard system can help keep your threads tangle-free and readily available. Arrange the threads by color or type to quickly find the one you need for each fly pattern.
• Feathers: Capes can be kept in plastic zip-locking bags. I suggest if you do this that you add a silicon desiccant packet in each one to absorb moisture and to keep your feathers from molding. Keep these zip locks in a standing office folder? Smaller feather packages can be organized in photo flip books.
• Hooks: Nothing worse than wanting to know what hooks you have, what size they are or what make they are.  Keeping hooks organized  is a chore for sure but this is made easy with pill box containers.
• Utilize a Trash Bin: Fly tying often generates waste materials such as trimmings, excess thread, or discarded feathers. Place a small trash bin or container near your tying bench to conveniently dispose of waste as you work. Regularly empty the bin to maintain a clean and clutter-free workspace.
  
• Reference Materials: Fly tying often involves referencing patterns, instructional books, or online tutorials. Have a dedicated space on or near your bench to keep these materials within reach.
  

I could write a lot more about how to keep your fly tying bench and gear more organized. What is important though is for you to find no only physical storage for your materials and tools but to learn to exercise the rule of less is more.  Be aware of your own clutter and also be aware of how clutter make s you feel.  This can be motivation to cut back on the clutter in other parts of your life as well.