I'm cheap, all my old friends know that so might as well tell you. I tie almost all my bream flies using Eagle Claw Size 8 Aberdeen hooks and some trout flies, they are about the same size as a Mustad 14 nymph hook. I've never lost a fish because of hook failure, but if I get a fish on I think is over a couple of pounds I try to get them on the reel and use the drag.