Many years ago, up on the East Fork of the Carson River, near Markleeville, CA, I took my rig in for a week of Fly Fishing. Four wheel drive is required to get into this spot …there is a river to ford and thankfully, not another person around.
This was in July, just after the 4th. I got into a wonderful time of catching very large Cutthroat Trout on drifting October Caddis larvae…the only problem…I did not have enough larvae patterns in the right size to keep on hooking the Trout. Now, I always carry fly tying materials with me when I go into remote locations. In those days, that consisted of hooks, fur, feathers and synthetics in a collection of cardboard boxes and cigar boxes. So, I set to tying up these little guys on a wooden bench. A huge gust of wind came up and blew my boxes and materials off the bench and into the river…
THAT experience resulted in my building the following box – which was featured in an old issue of Fly Fisherman Magazine…it has been everywhere with me since that disastrous occasion…
The BOX…EXTERIOR DIMENSIONS: H- 15 1/4 ” – D-15 1/4″ – W 13 3/4″
REAR view of The BOX…and, the piano hinge that makes it work…A brass handle is on top for carrying…
Interior view of The BOX…along with my old Thompson vise…I use the Renzetti Travler now…
The trays I use for holding gadgets…the bungee cords and hooks in the back of The BOX are for securing necks and hanging materials. I put a metal file box inside to hold liquids, wax and fragile tying tools…All of the materials used can be picked up at a hardware store or Home CheapO…the dimensions are based on what one wants…I built it around the pull out trays. It amazes me on how much I can stuff into this contraption…I can set it up in the rear of my vehicle in inclement weather…I can create anything I need anywhere-anyplace…
“THE BOX”, on the road in Nye, MT…
The RIG…the PACKMULE TRAILER allowed Michael and Ally to sit inside the JEEP…instead of being tied to the roof…
PT/TB 
PLANETTROUT: Fly Fishing, Fly Tying and LIFE
