Hooks - the rest of the story

[alanb_ct]

Nick started an excellent thread on the open forum about hooks, so I thought I would tell you about the investigations Aaron and I have done lately.

Nymph Hooks:

Partridge Barbless Ideal Nymph Hook

My favorite hook for larger nymphs, like the Prince we all use so often. These run a bit small, so the size 10 is more like a size 12 2XL (like the TMC 5262). The point on these hooks and the quality of the finish is unrivalled by Tiemco. They possess an extremely wide gap for beadhead flies. Thet are hard to find the US, but I found an excellent UK source, Lakeland Fly Tying. I can't speak highly enough about this company and their director Nigel Thomson. Nigel is really helpful. Shipping is inexpensive ($4) and fast. They also offer a 15% discount if your purchase in slightly bigger quantities (4 X 25packs). Check out their site-they also have the most amazing soft hackle capes made from Coq de Leon. If you order, please mention TPO in the comments sheet, so maybe we can arrange a discount in the future, thanks!


Partridge Fine Wire Czech Hook (CZF)
When I found these (now Bass Pro carries them), I told Aaron I had located the Holy Grail. We looked for a couple years. To be honest, they are of limited utility, except for non-beaded woven flies (perfect) and small Vladi worms with latex. They have an awesome profile and thin wire. The heavy wire version (CZ) has lake applications. They possess the offset point, so the hook can't back out. Recently I have had some success using this hook in my cranefly applications.


Dohiku Short Shank Nymph (only available in 16)
This Slovak hook is one-of-a-kind, but extremely hard to find, except amongst the competitive FF circuit. Look here:
http://translate.google.com/translat...ss__hooks.html
(Google translator is great)
Performance flies may have a few left, and if you order from Kevin, please tell him that TPO referred you. This is a perfect short shank, wide gap profile, but uses a slightly-too-heavy wire. The point is world-class. Very useful hook for PTs and GRHEs.


Varivas Curved Shank Barbless (from LFT)
Finally, a close replica to the TMC2499 in a size 20, but on a really fine wire, so not suitable where you are likely to hook big fish. This is a perfect hook for tying small olive nymphs when fishing for smaller wild trout. It's the hook I have been using on the Gunpowder in a dry dropper rig. Extremely sharp and well made. Be careful when you open the box!
More...

[alanb_ct]

Kamasan B175 (Equal to the Daiichi 1530)
A less common barbed hook, but perfect for larger wet flies and lake patterns. The de facto standard hook (as far as I know, Davy please correct me) amongst UK reservoir fishermen. Aaron used this hook to make some of the lake flies we used in Montana. I found it on eBay. The Daiichi versions are easy to find on Canadian sites.

Dry Flies

Partridge Klinkhammer Hook
(now available at Bass Pro)
The reason I mention this one is because of my recent interest (after Montana) in dry dropper methods. The K'hammer is the finest floater I have found with a prominent visible post. For the post, you may use McFlyYarn or Foam or maybe the new Unibobber thing. I only mention this because I made up six of them for use on the Gunpowder (lost them all now) and they were perfect as a dry dropper indicator. I just tied them in generic (brown and tan) colors and used the orange McFly as the post.

Hope this is helpful to you all. If I have forgotten a link, please send me a PM with questions. I will also mention this on the open site to entice a few more people to join this part of the site.

Thanks for all your support.

[BlackLabel]

Wow!!! I must confess I started the other thread knowing that you would have tons of input on this but I didn't expect this much. Very nice Alain.

[Nymphmeister]

Thnx for all the info Alain, wow, you did a really nice job.

For those of you interested in the Partridge Czech Nymph hook, be aware that they run big, I'd say get a size smaller than you think you want, and it will be just about right. And the sizing on the Partridge Klinkhamer hooks runs HUGE, the #14 pictured is more like at least a #10, maybe even bigger. Do this sound about right Alain?

[Brookie]

Super informative post, Alain. Great job!

[AaronJasper]

Nice man!

I really like he Dohikus I will tie a load up and try them out this weekend. Will post a review here. Also, Varivas makes a high quaility hook bu for some reason they never faired well in the US.

[alanb_ct]

Torrey: The K'hammer profile is so unique, especially for a dry fly, that it is indeed huge! It is at least two sizes bigger than we are used to, in a direct comparison. For example, the KH in a size 14 is about the right size for a fall Isonychia. The 10 makes a nice drake-type fly and so on. I am really just getting in to this pattern, so I haven't experimented much.

The CZ hooks are huge too, better for crane fly sizes and spring (larger) caddis events including cased caddis. They are very easy to weight in the bend only to make them ride inverted. I really like their prospects with the latex and woven flies. I believe that everyone should carry at least a few unbeaded flies and this hook may fit the bill. When I tie on the 2499 with no bead, it just looks a bit strange to me. Finally, the offset point makes a lot of sense as far as preventing the hook from backing out during a fight.

All of these hooks are designed to go THROUGH the lips, not just IN the lips...they are serious.

[Flyfisher]

Nice Post!!!

[BlackLabel]

Skalka streamer hook is no joke, through the lip!

[alanb_ct]

Nick,
You're right. For a while I was using the TMC5263BL hook and it is terrible! The Knapek streamer is good, but the wire is a bit too thick. I only use the Knapek Streamer Size 1 for my Vladis. The Skalka streamer is a finer wire with a shorter round point and it penetrates great. The Knapeks are super sharp, but as you said, the point is so long and thin, that it sometimes bends.

I find it interesting that different hook manufacturers use different wire gauges in general, you would think the wire would be standardized. I believe the Japanese hooks use a higher grade steel and therefore are generally a finer wire gauge.