Just because school’s starting doesn’t mean you need to leave fly fishing behind. Here’s how I bring my gear with me when moving back into the dorms—without breaking the bank.
Packing Fly Fishing Gear Before College Move-in
This will be my second year at Northern Michigan University, and after learning a lot from last year, I’ve improved how I pack and store all of my fly fishing and fly tying gear in the dorms. The best part? I did it all for under $20, perfect for any college student on a budget.
How I Store my Fly Fishing Gear in my Dorm
The easiest way to pack all my gear is with a large storage bin. I bought mine from Menards for less than $20. Depending on how much gear you have, the size will vary. Personally, I use a 27-gallon black bin with a yellow lid—the same one I use for my hunting gear. It’s easy to load up and toss in the back of my Honda Pilot when I’m heading north. If there is not a Menards near you, here is basically the same black storage bin off of Amazon.
In the dorms, during the fall semester, I store the bin either in my car or closet, stacking my shoes on top to make the most of the space. During the winter semester, I bring my mountain bike home, which opens up extra room at the foot of my bed. I also stack things on top to take advantage of every inch.
Everything Inside of my Fly Fishing Bin
Inside the bin, I store my fly boxes, fanny pack, and net, along with two pairs of waders—mine and my girlfriend’s. My rod and reel also fit easily since they break down into four pieces. On top of that, the bin holds all of my fly tying tools and materials. When it’s time to hit the river, I grab the bin, walk it to my car, and I’m ready to go.
What’s Next
My next project will be to build a rod roof rack or create a rod holder inside my Pilot. That way, I won’t need to set up and break down my rod every trip. I’ll post a full blog and YouTube video about that project once the weather gets colder and the fishing gets more challenging—stay tuned!
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