Well, I don't know anything about fly tying...but it seems that he might not need as much open table space as we need for cutting. If it's the height of your table that he is attracted to, why not get him a smaller version...or better yet, another table like yours...win,win...you'd have the option then of combining them for those really big jobs that often put us down to the floor for space. Or, rearrange that space so your table is not convenient for him to use.