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Tying Inventory

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Just curious if anyone has a specific method for keeping track of their materials. I like most probably have enough materials to last me the better part of the next few years.

 

However, keeping track of those materials, specifically brand, colors, likes and dislikes. It is getting a bit overwhelming. I also would lie to start keeping track of where I buy some of these items as it would make it easier to repurchasing them in the future.

 

Does anyone use a inventory sheet, book, or program to keep track of things like this, or do I just have too much time on my hands. Just checking, thanks for your help and comments.

 

Dana

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Dana, I keep hard to find materials in their original package .on the backs I will write the name & number of the supplier.I keep my hooks in a plastic multi compartment box . over each compartment is the make ,model and size of the hook.Also every item that I have found to be rare or hard to find can now be purchased thru J. Stochard. I jsut call James and tell him what it is and who its made by and he takes acre of the rest.

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I was thinking of writing my own in MS Access to do just this thing. I have a cordless scanner for reading barcodes so I was going to to link everything to the manufacturers barcodes. Will take a couple weeks but I think I could have a pretty nice inventory system up and running and would be willing to let me people check it out.

 

Jeff

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i keep stocked in materials i use all the time. like hooks i use in michigan dry size 14 -26 nothing bigger nothing smaller nymphs i use 12,14,16, 1x long 1x heavy nymph hook as for streamers stone flies i use size 8-2 hooks in a 4xl at least and all these hooks make every thing just break it down in to what sizes and every thing else you use all the time. unless you tie for some one else's box then that method is up to you.

 

 

nymphs:

pt nymph

hares ear nymph

stone fly nymph

Hendrickson nymphs

etc....

 

drys :

Bwo's

Hendrickson

trico

hex

rustys spinners

etc....

 

 

streamers

mickey finn

black nosed dace

zoo cougar

family secret

Modona

fenstra sculpins

etc....

 

 

egg flies

orange

chartreuse

size 8-9174 hook

 

i have ton more but just want to save time thinking what i got to remember what i got to tie and whats needed.

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I was thinking of writing my own in MS Access to do just this thing. I have a cordless scanner for reading barcodes so I was going to to link everything to the manufacturers barcodes. Will take a couple weeks but I think I could have a pretty nice inventory system up and running and would be willing to let me people check it out.

 

Jeff

 

 

"Hello, my name is Jeff, and I'm an addict."

 

:headbang:

 

:j_k:

 

I have my stuff in drawers, with labels-

"hackle"

"chenille"

"deer hair"

"dubbing"

"synthetic hair"

"flash material"

 

and stuff like that. That's about as complicated as I need it to be. I like to come to the computer to check on this site, but I don't want to have to consult it to find a pack of dubbing in my room. Sounds too much like WORK.

 

 

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My organizational method is that in front of my fly desk I have a peg board with all of the supplies organized on pegs and in their original bags (or aftermarket ones). For example, saddles, capes, cyrstal flash, marabou, strung hackle, fly fur, zonker strips, etc... These materials are all available at a glance. I have one drawer full of fur patches, and another full of misc. feathers. I also have a few of the plastic organizer drawer units mounted on the wall with smaller items, such as rubber legs, mylar, etc... Finally, I have a drawer which opens to reveal 6 hook organizers which are labeled as follows: Streamers, Big Fly, Dry, Nymph, Nat. Bend/ Scud/ Emerger, and micro Fly. Inside these containers the hooks are sorted by length up to 6 or 7xl in the Streamers box.

 

I just use the materials until one of them is nearly exhausted, then I write them on a sticky pad on the desk and I know it is time to reorder. It also helps if I find new patterns, but am missing a certain material, just put it on the list!

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It's impossible unless you are an organizational neat freak, and then you wouldn't have any time to tie :D .

 

Just look at the top of your desk, be honest now.

 

What i found helps, but is not a solution, is a cheap digital camera. I have two homes and I just shoot stuff I have at both.

 

The real problem is, no matter how much you have, there is always something else you need in the latest pattern you just read about.

 

T

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Can someone send me a copy of the MS Access format.

 

I have MS Access on my computer but was hoping someone would be nice enough to share their format.

 

Thanks :)

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after 27 years of tying, i have so much stuff that id probably run out of memory on my computer before it was all cataloged. :D

 

a simple excel spreadsheet will work for inventory.

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I use the S.W.A.G. method ie. I fly by the seat of my pants!

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I use the S.W.A.G. method ie. I fly by the seat of my pants!

 

 

I have to agree with day5. I have so much material, it would take me a month to inventory. I just keep a pad of sticky notes next to my desk when I see I'm low on a item I write it down. When the list gets to about 5 items I go to the shop. Simple inventory control.

 

 

carlp5351

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I'm with flytire. A simple Excel spreadsheet is probably all you need for keeping track of your inventory. I through one together this morning that you may want to use and modify to suit your needs. I tried to break it apart into the rough groups (Fur, Feathers, Dubbing, Synthetics, etc.) and make it as free form as possible. I added automatic filters (the little drop down arrows in the top row) to allow you to filter the materials into different groups. I've added some materials to the tables to give an idea of how it can be filled out. Just delete the materials and enter your own. The nice thing about the autofilter feature is that it will also make data entry very easy in each cell. If you have already entered the same information in a cell above, the autofill feature will fill in the text as you type. Perhaps this simple spreadsheet is all you will need.

 

 

EDIT - I am unable to post the Excel spreadsheet to this thread. :( It looks like .xls file extensions are blocked by the website. I will see if there is another way to post the simple spreadsheet.

 

EDIT 2 - I sent a note to the administrators to try to get permission to post the Excel file. Hopefully there is a way to share this file.

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