Dry Flies... Straight Eye or down turned eye?

[branhap]

What is your preference? Before I've always tied on down eyes. However, I recently picked up some Daiichi hooks with straight eyes for tying up some dries. I think it'll look better once they are tied up. What is your opinion?

[MidgeMadness]

I like the straight eyes for my smaller flies(#20 & smaller) I use the Daiichi hooks with the bigger than standard eyes. The straight eye doesn't take up any of the hook gap and I think it allows more hookups when using smaller flies, just my opinion.

Rodney

[dr korn]

I like the straight eyes for my smaller flies(#20 & smaller) I use the Daiichi hooks with the bigger than standard eyes. The straight eye doesn't take up any of the hook gap and I think it allows more hookups when using smaller flies, just my opinion.

Rodney

+1 totally agree.... I like them for Tricos and BWO's, 20's and smaller...

[Allan]

Generally prefer down eyes for dries but in the real small sizes, say 24 and smaller, the straight eye gives you a little more to work with. At least I think so. Mustad 94859 and Tiemco (not sure what model #).

Allan

[EdD]

More of the same from me. From size 18 or 20 and smaller, I prefer straight-eye hooks or shanks or normal length.

Ed

[ScottP]

For smaller flies (#22 on down) I like the Dai Riki 125, an emerger hook with a straight eye; gives me an even larger gap than a standard straight eye like the Dai Riki 310.

these are #22s:





for stuff like tricos and midges, I don't use as much of the hook shank; seemed to work okay.

Regards,
Scott

[branhap]

Nice tie. I have size 12,14, and 16 in straight eye. The 12 and 14 are both like the emerger pattern you have above. Very similar at least. My local store doesn't carry much in hooks, mainly mustad. But I decided to expand on this brand because I like a few of their hook designs for nymphs.

[Chuck441]

If a fly floats in, rather than above, the surface film, I see no reason to tie the fly on other than a straight eye hook, tradition be damned. Of course, I tie my "catskills" on a down eye hook. Gotta love tradition sometimes.

Chuck

[DeadDrifting]

I tie everything (dries) on Orvis straight eyes, the big eye #4641 for sizes 12 and down, and the standard eye #1523 for 8's and 10's. I like the look, and I think they give the clearest shot to the hook point.

[AlanB]

You've missed out an option. What about up eyed hooks? Its not tradition that these are used for, but when you use a turle knot to attach the fly. The line goes through the eye and is tied around the hook shank in front of the dressing. This attach's the fly in line with the tippet.

Cheers,
A.