Father's Day Gift Idea: Fly Fishing Box {#FathersDay}

~Welcome Jill Dunn from Predilections who is a new Simply Designing Team member!~

Socks and ties: that's what my dad got for pretty much every Father's Day when I was growing up. Don't get me wrong, those are great presents (remember the snap together socks, Dad?) but it's kind of nice to get something unexpected once in awhile. It seems like men like practical things like tools, food and *ahem* socks, but they also like fun stuff--things like gear for their favorite hobbies.

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There are a couple of men in my family that enjoy fishing and one (my husband) that is very excited that we are soon moving to a city located on the shore of Lake Ontario (salmon fishing, anyone?). I made a little box of flies like this for my brother several years ago and I thought it would make a great, simple Father's Day gift. It only takes a few minutes to put together and with some hand tied fishing flies you have something really special for your dad, husband, brother or grandpa.

I'll walk you through it:

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Step 1: Gather your materials (list below).

Step 2: Measure the inside of your box. You don't have to use the same kind of tin that I used. Just about any smallish box or tin will do (an Altoids tin would probably fit four small flies nicely). Use a ruler and marker to create a rectangle the size of the inside of your box on a piece of foam core or cardboard.

Step 3: Cut out the rectangle. A box cutter works nicely for either foam core or cardboard.

Step 4: Round the corners with scissors so that your rectangle fits nicely into your box (this step may not be necessary if you have a box or container with angled--as opposed to rounded--corners). It doesn't have to be perfect. You are just going to cover it up in a minute anyway.

Step 5: Test your insert out and make sure it fits into the bottom of your box neatly. Trim as needed.

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Step 6: Cut a piece of cloth to cover the foam insert. I left about an inch on each side so that I could easily attach it to the underside of the foam board.

Step 7: Stretch the fabric tight, smoothing any wrinkles and adhere it to the foam core insert that you have prepared, securing the fabric on the back with glue or tape. Fit your insert into your box.

Step 8: Arrange your flies as desired and then carefully slide the hook just barely into the fabric to hold them in place. You could also sew them down with a loop of thread if you prefer.

Step 9: Cut a strip of burlap to wrap all the way around the center of your box. Secure on the back with tape (or hot glue).

Step 10: Cut a slightly narrower strip of patterned paper. You can measure if you want but I just eyeballed it. A good rule of thumb for this sort of layering is to allow ¼" on each side, so you would cut your paper ½" narrower than your burlap. Layer it over the burlap band and wrap it all the way around the box and secure in the back with tape. Trim any stray strands from the burlap to tidy it up.

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To finish it up, wrap the box with twine and attach a simple tag and you have a great little gift that you can be proud to give.

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I don't know about your dad or husband, but I know that my guy is going to love this gift a lot more than a pair of socks.

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That's it! Simple, right? If you have any questions, let me know. I'm happy to help!

Materials:

Box or tin (I got mine here)
Foam core or cardboard
A scrap of fabric
Burlap (you could also use burlap ribbon)
Patterned paper (the fish paper is from The Paper Studio and was purchased at Hobby Lobby)
Fishing flies (most big sporting goods stores will have these but you can also order them several different places online. Search "hand tied flies")
Hemp twine (any twine will do, really)
Tag (I stamped mine, but just writing on it would be great too).
Ruler
Marker or pen
Box cutter
Scissors
Adhesive of choice--super sticky double sided tape and hot glue are good choices. Duct tape works for taping the fabric to the foam core as it won't be visible on the finished project.

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If you're looking for other DIY Father's Day Ideas, you'll want to check out these posts too:

Ashley Signature 2 Father's Day Gift Idea: Fly Fishing Box {#FathersDay} 30

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Comments

amyjo57

May 25, 2013 at 2:44 pm

What a lovely gift idea. It is simple and something that any fisherman would love. Great first post Jill.

Jamie

May 29, 2013 at 7:23 am

what a perfect gift! my husband loves fly fishing so this would be perfect for him 🙂

Heidi @ Moms Crafty Space

May 29, 2013 at 8:40 pm

What a great idea! My dad would absolutely LOVE this!

Jill

June 07, 2013 at 10:08 pm

Thanks for the positive feedback, y'all!

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