Dudley,

The hook that Dan primarily uses now is the Eagle Claw EC-413. This is a hook designed for use creating leadhead jigs and has a 60 degree bend at the front of the hook. I believe Dan was originally introduced to this hook by George Glazener, who developed a fly called the "Spinster" for lake Texoma Stripers ( www.danblanton.com/spinsterstory.html ).

When a Whistler is tied on the EC-413 all of the material is tied on front half of the hook shank but not on to the bent portion. Eyes are tied in clouser style. A small amount of bucktail is tied in opposite the point side of the hook but the rest is tied in on the same side as the point.



The EC-413 is a great hook for many patterns and that bend in the front helps it ride over obstructions, though it does not make it snag proof. Clouser Minnows adapt to this hook quite well. The late Del Brown tied his Permit Crab (Merkin) Flies on this hook during his last years.



The EC-413 was originally available only from tackle making supply houses but a growing number of fly shops now carry this style of hook. I believe that Umpqua will have in their catalog Flashtail Whistlers, and maybe other patterns, tied with this hook this year.