Hooks

**LopatNympher** · 06-25-2009, 08:55 PM

Ok, now that I got my vise I sat down in front of it and realized that I know virtually nothing about fly tying hooks. I did a little research on the net and found a comparison chart that takes a little of the confusion out of it for me. I printed it out for a reference. Anyway, the chart is located at http://www.killroys.com/hooks/hookchrt.htm in case anyone wants to check it out. Also, there are links there to charts from specific manufacturers.

**wwelz** · 06-26-2009, 08:06 AM

Good luck in the hook department. It used to be real easy. There was really only one brand in wide use (mustad) and they had a limited number of hook models. Today we have so many choices it is a bit overwhelming . A size twelve hook was a size twelve. Now we have as many standards in hook size as we have manufacturers . I guess that,s a good thing.

**Soft-hackle** · 06-26-2009, 03:26 PM

Hi,
Well, I look at fly tying as an art. You are, essentially, creating a small piece of soft sculpture. The hook is the armature for that sculpture. Very much like other sculptures, the armature or base every much determines the character of you flies. Certain hooks are made for different applications like "scud" hooks, nymph hooks, hooks for tying emerging style flies like those made for Klinkhamer flies. Other hooks are just pretty much straight forward. You also select the hook for how the fly will be fished. For example, many soft-hackle flies can be tied on heavy wire for getting deep or on dry fly (light wire) for fishing at or in the surface. You as the tier determine the character of the fly by the hook you select. You need to think about this when creating your own flies BUT many times the dressing recipe indicates the hook you use. This isn't written in stone, however.

Mark

alanb_ct · 06-26-2009, 07:44 PM

There is a book by Schmidt I have that covers all the possible cross references. I think it is called "Hooks for the Fly." It is a great resource. There is a post about it in the fly-tying section.

**AaronJasper** · 06-26-2009, 08:07 PM

I do agree that there is what seems to be an endless array of hooks out there. Except for the numbers of the ones that are my favorites, I look at the profiles of the hooks before trying out new hooks. I recently bought Gamagatsu sp? Hooks that are barbless with a "retainer bend." They have been very good at keeping even the smallest, most frisky fish on the line.

**VTflyfishing** · 06-26-2009, 10:45 PM

On patterns that I have not tied before I like to use Mustad because they don't cost as much. If its a pattern I am confident in tying I like to use Tiemco.

**Nymphmeister** · 06-27-2009, 10:17 PM

Hooks can be very confusing, even to experienced tyers. The simplest is to stick mainly to one brand, and you cannot go wrong with Tiemco or Daiichi, among others. Both make extensive lines of hook choices.

At the very least, u need some dry fly hooks, wet fly, 1 or 2xl nymph hooks, 3-4xl hooks (for stonefly nymphs & most streamers). My personal picks for those categories in Tiemco: Scud hook 2499SP-BL Wet Fly 3769SP-BL or plain 3769, Dry fly 100SP-BL or 100, 1xl nymph 3761SP-BL or regular 3761, 2xl nymph 5262 (I like this hook for Fox Squirrels & bigger Princes/Hare's Ears), 3xl streamer/stonefly 5263.

There can be slight size differences between brands, so I recommend using one brand for any particular hook type so as to be consistent on the sizing. If you can find the Tiemco SP-BL hooks, they are pricey but have a barbless Super Point hook that goes in like a hot knife thru butter. I carry the 2499SP-BL in the shop, I think it's the best hook every made, esp. in terms of scud hooks.