Epoxy Fly Drying Stand

By:  Kirk Dietrich

Materials and Tools

Balsa Wood plank, ½” thk. x 3” wide

Electronic Alligator clips

5-minute epoxy

Box knife

These directions aren’t detailed because I’m relying on the picture to speak the 1,000 words. 

Cut two pieces off the balsa plank that measure at least 3 ¼”, these will be the legs for the stand.  Also cut a couple small pieces that will be glued in to brace the legs.  The length of the main part of the stand can be as long or short as you wish.  You can notch the ends of the balsa prior to gluing or just glue the legs to the main part. 

Space the clips a couple to few inches apart depending on the size flies you generally epoxy.  Drill a shallow hole or just push the clips in place.  Remove the clips and then epoxy back into place.

HOW TO USE

I usually top-coat flies with 2-ton epoxy.  It has a set time of about 10 minutes.  I paint the epoxy on the fly and place it in a clip.  I'll keep doing it until the epoxy is too thick to spread, which is about 6 popper heads or spoons and up to 14 streamer heads.  By that time the epoxy will have begun to sag more or less depending on how thick you applied it.  At that point, flip the stand over onto its legs for a few minutes until the sag levels out then flip it back to finish curing or to add more flies.  Voila!  Perfect epoxy flies.  If you applied a really thick coat, it may sag again at which point you flip it again.

I know it’s a bit bulky and old-time but it works, is cheap, and doesn’t require a power source.

Visit Kirk's Introduction and see a selection of his flies.