This style of hook--at least the old Herter's version-- is why I started tying flies. My father heard about how effective a grub tied on this hook was, so he ordered a tying kit from Herter's plus some of these hooks, a mink tail and black hackle. That fly was indeed a killer, and is still. I've used them and other patterns with good success. They are very good in moving water situations.

On a side note, I used these hooks for bait fishing, and they seemed to be better at hooking fish than the standard bait or egg hooks.