Looking for 1XL Nymph hook Size 198 & 20, Accepting Suggestions

I'm looking for a 1XL nymph hook with a wide gape. I'm accepting suggestions. I have TMC 3761 and they're too narrow for my taste.
Thanks

Bruce,

When I get down to the smaller size nymphs, I switch to a Dai Riki 135 scud hook; plenty of gap. I tried hooks like the Tiemco 200 and had problems with them in anything smaller than a #16.

Regards,
Scott

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Originally Posted by ScottP

Bruce,

When I get down to the smaller size nymphs, I switch to a Dai Riki 135 scud hook; plenty of gap. I tried hooks like the Tiemco 200 and had problems with them in anything smaller than a #16.

Regards,
Scott

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Thanks. What would be the equivalent size in the Dai Rike 135 to the 18 and 20 1XL in a regular hook?

Bruce,

Using the eyeball method, size up by 1, so the DR 135 in a #16 would be close to a 1XL #18 (and a 135 #18 to a 1XL #20). I do the same thing for dry flies, switching to a DR 125 emerger hook for most flies #18 and smaller.

Regards,
Scott

http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/...ps03cc3783.jpg

top fly tied on a #18 DR 300, bottom on a #16 DR 125


Regards,
Scott

I see so many more flies tied on scud hooks - do you notice any difference, other than maybe the hooking is better? Do the fish care if the bug is curved? I know they say that actually scuds might be more effective on straight hooks, but haven't heard about mayflies.

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Originally Posted by herefishy

I see so many more flies tied on scud hooks - do you notice any difference, other than maybe the hooking is better? Do the fish care if the bug is curved?

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Better hooking is the main reason I switch over to curved shanks in the smaller sizes. Fish don't seem to care about the curved body, and if you look at the bottom fly you'll see that the body's not that curved; I try to keep it on the straighter portion of the shank and don't go much past the point above the barb.

Regards,
Scott

Looks like you would have to go another size bigger to match that straight bodied fly if you are going to keep it on the straight part? What about using a 1 or 2x short in a larger size - too heavy?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by herefishy

Looks like you would have to go another size bigger to match that straight bodied fly if you are going to keep it on the straight part? What about using a 1 or 2x short in a larger size - too heavy?

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The angle on the photo may be a bit off but those 2 flies are pretty close in size; I've used the DR 125's (up sized by one) and had good luck. Guess you could go with short-shank dry hooks like Mustad 94838: I think I have a box of them around somewhere and may give it a try.
Bruce, my apologies for taking your thread on a detour.

Regards,
Scott

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ScottP

The angle on the photo may be a bit off but those 2 flies are pretty close in size; I've used the DR 125's (up sized by one) and had good luck. Guess you could go with short-shank dry hooks like Mustad 94838: I think I have a box of them around somewhere and may give it a try.
Bruce, my apologies for taking your thread on a detour.

Regards,
Scott

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No problem. I always get confused when trying to match a scud hook to a regular dry or nymph hook. I wish someone would make a chart. I'm not stupid, but there are some things that just don't compute in my head, if you know what I mean.

Now, if you're talking 2X a short scud hook as compared to a regular size 20, 1X nymph hook, I would use a size 16 scud, correct, because it's 2 sizes shorter than the 20.