Fishing with Rod Discussion Forum
Fishing in British Columbia => Fly Fishing Cafe => Topic started by: clarkii on November 18, 2014, 11:18:07 AM
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So just curious what the majority of guys on this site use for tying hooks, and further what percentage and why.
As I bounce back and fourth between a few, I was wondering if there is any difference between them.
Further this could be an excellent resource for people getting into tying.
So I'll start.
Hanak. I probably tie on around 70+% on Hanak hooks, though this might be changing to more. I tie all my none stonefly nymphs on the h450bl, and a few on the h400bl. I uae this hook as with a slotted tungsten bead it rides point up rather then point down. For caddis patterns I use the h300bl as the profile is nice. Further im starting to use the h900bl for streamers and I like the 950's for bunny leeches.
Overall the draw to hanak for me is they are super sharp and manafactures barbless, making them better at holding fish then a crimped barb and stronger. I also like the h550 for micro leeches. One issue is they are pricey ($8/25)
20% is on freds sure sharp. I like the price point and believe them to be good hooks. Mostly have them for experimental dries which I never tie, but I also like the 2xl streamer hook.
6% is tiemco, as usually its a last minute crap whats at wholesale. Usually go for the streamer hooks.
3% Mustad. Go with the caddis curved for chironie hooks. Price is good.
And the last 1% is gamakatsu. I use the b10s as a stinger for articulated streamers, as the shape is good and they are sharp as well.
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Quality costs money and the best are Tiemco and Daiichi. Some years back I bought a huge quantity of Dai-riki on line at wholesale prices and have been working through those. They were mostly intended for the professional tyer's market and I don't intend to buy anymore. All 3 of those are made in Japan and as far as I know there is only one hook maker in Japan.
Mustads have improved a lot over the years and for the price they are a very good buy. FWIW I understand that Mustad's yearly output of hooks for the fly tying market represents about 1 hour or less of their yearly production.
I still have some Eagle Claws and even some Partridge hooks.
So that's what I use Dai-riki, Mustad, Daiichi and Tiemco in about that order. When I got the funds I buy Tiemco but I am on a fixed income right now.
I use gammies & Owners for stingers (intruder) only
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TMC 9394 is one of the best all-round hooks for streamers for salmon and trout. Only missed one ho this year with that one (short take), landed everything else, even big chum. Their other streamer hooks r also great. For dries, I really like their 900BL.
Mustad, not so much. Only had negative experiences using their 34007 (lost 2 ho's this year on this) for salmon and their curved scud hooks on the lakes. Don't know if its just some models (or maybe a bad batch?) but Mustad seems to have really poor sharpness and penetration compared to TMC for all the hooks I tried.
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With Mustads I often give the points a little caress with an EZ lap pocket sharpener. Seldom if ever do that with Tiemcos or Daiichi. I'm not a fan of long shank hooks and don't use anything more than 3xl too often though I have used and like the 79580 which has a down eyed hook. Mustads I have had good success with include the 9271 and 9272 streamer hooks, 3906 and 3906b nymph hooks and the 94840 dry fly hook. I've been buying the signature hooks lately