Size 32 hooks

[ashbourn]

Does anyone know where I can get some size 32 hooks, I know Mustad made some at one time but it is hard to find them since I do not know the model. Any help would be great.
Joe Fox

[Hans Weilenmann]

Joe,

The model is Mustad 277

Here is a visual:


Cheers,
Hans W


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=== You have a friend in Low Places ===
http://www.danica.com/flytier

[Bamboozle]

ashbourn:

I use the Tiemco 518 which is available down to 32. It is described as: wide gap, STRAIGHT eye, light wire,(duh); with a short straight shank. I use them and find them excellent although they could be improved with a larger eye.

Also the Tiemco 2488 curved shank hook is available down to size 30. I also use these and they are excellent as well.

[MR.JML]

Joe,
I have found the TMC 518's to be great for the larvae, pupae, & some emerger stages of the Diptera. The Mustad 277's size 32's seem
to have a longer shank a better used for adult Diptera patterns. Certainly for some reason I have a harder time when ordering the 277's. Ed Engle, Jeremy Barrella & some of the others that split the fly tying atom
might be able to shed even more light on this subject !!!

[Bamboozle]

One reason the Mustad 277's are tough to find is Mustad discontinued them; (I double checked with them today).

One thing I do like about the TMC518's is that due to the shorter shank you can tie a size 32 body on a size 30 hook and gain the hooking advantage of a wider gape for the same length shank.

Needless to say that when you use the size 32 hook you have an even shorter body. My size 32 glass bead head midges have a body that is about as long as the bead is wide; it's nuts but I catch fish on them.

[ashbourn]

Thanks alot for the information.

Joe Fox

[MR.JML]

I was afraid of that Bam !!!
Well, I guess the 518's are the last icon.
You're right about those 518's though.
Just love that hook gap !!! Won't use a bead on the 32's though !!!!!

[Bamboozle]

MR.JML:

Try a size 32 Mercury Brassie with a micro or midge size silver lined glass bead; and for the body use the new Ultra Wire Extra Small size or better yet see if you can find Lagartun X-Fine or XX-Fine non-tarnishing coated wire; (available at many fly shops).

I fish them anywhere from 2"-12" under a minisule Strike Putty indicator and they kick butt, (when you can hook a fish that is) .

[Hans Weilenmann]

Bamboozl,

Mustad only did one run of the 277 hook in the early eighties. They have been 'discontinued' ever since.

The Tiemco 518 #32 I call the "Big Iron". It has twice the shank length of the Mustad, and three time the gape. It is simply said in essence a somewhat short shank #28 hook, while the Mustad 277 is just off the chart. No comparison

Cheers,
Hans W


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=== You have a friend in Low Places ===
http://www.danica.com/flytier

[eaustin]

The 518s are huge. A Mustad 28 is smaller. I've only seen the Mustad 32 once, and barely at that. Hans showed me one he had in a small baggie and it was several minutes before I could even find it. It was barely visible. I once heard a bag of 32 Mustad hooks described as looking like a bag of sand.
Eric