Nymphmeister: your post is comprehensive and covers all that I know. I like the TMC 101 for the smaller nymphs, since the straight eye gives better clearance to the hook point. I also used the TMC 200R last year in the small sizes; it has a moderate continuous curve bend and makes a great looking nymph (baetis). I know that Dorsey uses this hook in his commercial small patterns. For size 18 nymphs, it is hard to beat the TMC 100SPBL or TMC2499SPBL - I love these hooks, but they are not available smaller.