The Bench

[Will Wetline]

 

I've been making part of my bass bait arsenal for about 20 years now, and tying flies for steelhead for more than 10. This is an overview of the main work station.

 

 

The small tools strip is a length of mahogany left over from my time as a woodworker making a modest living in the contemporary craft market. Magnetic adhesive backed strips (available at Staples) hold light tools within easy reach. The rack itself (note vertical members) is re-purposed from supporting wings and fuselages for the R/C model aircraft I used to build and fly.

 

 

The mat on the left is "self healing" rubber and I use it for cutting operations. If you're wondering about the cuts surrounding it, know that I bought the unit used at the right price and the existing markings came with it at no extra charge!

 

The mat on the right is a new discovery. I stopped in at All About Beads and while I didn't find the solid brass beads for inline spinner bearings, I found this thin, soft mat that necklace makers use. I will not miss chasing 1/8" beads and other small parts around the floor of my tackle room.

 

 

I love small parts cabinets. If you follow me into the dollar store looking for some you may have to ask a clerk if they have more out back. Pictured are a few with components needed for a batch of spinnerbaits. More are to be found sharing space with a good number of Plano 3700s, etc. & etc., on 2 shelf units elsewhere in the tackle room.

 

The labels are adhesive tape and Sharpie.

 

 

Here are a few volumes from my fly tying library.

 

 

Here's a Glo Bug, a fly in the egg imitation category, the tying of which exasperated me for years. I read procedures, talked with other tiers, searched YouTube and finally, finally found a procedure which suited my preferences and idiosyncrasies. 

 

Let's take a minute here and talk about perfectionism. I'm speaking in particular to those new to tackle making, new to fishing perhaps. Do things have to be perfect? Heck no! Understand that everything evolves. Acknowledge where you are on the learning curve and be okay with it. Take satisfaction with each step in the journey and understand that it's about the journey - paying attention - rather than some pie-in-the-sky destination.

 

Whew! Thought patterns can get philosophical in the tackle room. Truth is:

 

 

Pay attention. Do your best. The older I get, the more I believe I'm one of many players in a cosmic joke.

 

 

Time goes by in the tackle room. It's almost smallmouth o'clock and I really should plug in the Hot Pot and mold some jigs.

 

 

Keep smiling.

 

 

[DelfiBoyz_One_and_Only]

Wow im jealous wish I was that organized. I start with one thing then end up working on something else. Before I know it I have all my tools out and parts and pieces everywhere. I guess that's why I have two tables side by side.

Great work Will nice set-up!

Jay-

[Snakehead Whisperer]

Awesome work space. Here's a quick cell phone pic of my living room.

[jhoffman]

Marked for ideas. Like you have been fly tying for 10+ years and now into bass jigs too. My desk got shipped back to home when my boy entered the world. We are in the process of looking for a new house and then she will come back home. Going to take some of those ideas, looks good.

[.RM.]

Will,

That is a great look at an artisan's work station... 

As a retired    custom rod builder and busy reel service tech

I understand the need for the orginized work station.

 

Tight Lines! 

[HookSetDon]

A river runs through it, the perfect work area, I'll have to upload mine after I clean it up haha