I’m posting this even though it goes against something I’ve said about flies and fly tying. That is, 'If you only had 1 ________(fill in the blank)"
In this case I’m asking, “If you could only have one make and model dry fly hook (yes, various sizes but talking about flies for Trout) which one would it be and why?” Oh, there is no correct answer so let’s just read what others have to say without any rebuke. And let’s limit this to commercially available hooks.
Allan
Same as I’d use for wets – Mustad R50.
If I only had one, Allan, then I would pick the Tiemco 102Y. For me it ticks all the boxes for a general purpose dry fly hook.
Cheers,
Hans W
I like the 102Y Tiemco, too.
Daiichi 1180 for me
Mart
I really can’t say. The hook is one of the most important decisions when I try to imitate something I have seen. As a result I use all kinds, Many which are not considered dry fly hooks. I’ve even tied them on tubes. The brand I’ve found most reliable is Tempco, but they are some of the most expensive here. Recently the price has gone up 20% (they reduced the number of hooks in a pack from 25 to 20). That has made them prohibitively expensive for me. Now I only use them by customer request or if I pick up a pack that’s reduced. Variety is the spice of life after all.
Cheers,
A.
A tossup between a TMC 100BL and a 900BL. I would lean towards the 900, since most of my dries are small.
Alan, I get mine at Madison River Fishing Company in Ennis, MT. No sales tax, 100-packs. Still not cheap, but the cost of hooks is a small part of what I pay to flyfish every year.
[QUOTE=Hans Weilenmann;479057]If I only had one, Allan, then I would pick the Tiemco 102Y. For me it ticks all the boxes for a general purpose dry fly hook.
Cheers,
Hans W[/QUO
AGREE !,
Okay, now I have to answer my own question and I’m going with the Mustad R50(94840). Overall effectiveness, very nice shape, good quality, sharpness, weight and price. I will say that although I’ve never used one, the Tiemco 102Y is really impressive looking but it comes with a hefty pricetag.
Allan
Hi Allan,
Currently I use older Mustad 94840s for most of my standard dries, and Mustad 94831s for long flies like hoppers and hex dries. I use Mustad 9672s for stonefly dries, just because I got started tying them that way many years ago. If I had it to do over, I would tie the stones on 94831s too.
If limited to only one hook I probably would choose old Mustad 94840s. (I have quite a few of them, but not in really large sizes.)
The first problem with the old Mustads is current availablity, you can only pick them up here and there on sites like Ebay. I know they are available to at least size #4 and on the small end to smaller sizes than I plan ever to use.
The second problem with the 94840s, or newer R-50s is length. They are too short, in my views, for optimal tying of long dries like hoppers and stoneflies. Still, if only one choice it would be 94840s.
However, given the availablity problems, I would probably go with Mustad R-50s if I were to start over.
Regards,
Gandolf
I’ll vote for Eagle Claw L059. The quality is acceptable. The cost is lower.
And they are made in the U.S.A. What more do you want? 
I have accrued a large number of vintage 94840’s and 94845’s. I have many hooks but they are my go to hooks
Ray, your points are all good points. I have thought about the Eagle Claws, and in the past guys who have mentioned using them say that they are good hooks.
I have used Mustads so long, and have so many on hand that there is no turning back, but if I had to start completely over would consider Eagle Claw hooks. Made in the U.S.A. is a good endorsement. I think the quality of stuff made in this country is generally first rate.
No problem with Mustad, and I will continue to use them, but again it is too late for me to turn back. For that reason if I ever run out of 94840s, I will probably look at the new Mustad replacement for the 94840, just to stay consistent.
Again, however, if I were to choose a replacement for my Mustads, it would almost certainly be Eagle Claw.
Regards.
Gandolf
Sorry, Allan, but there is no one make or model of hook that will handle the range of dry flies I fish to trouts - from size 18 2X short up to size 8 3X long. And some flies are better tied on straight eye hooks, some on down eye hooks, some on straight shanked hooks, some on curved shank hooks, etc.
There is a reason you don’t like that question. Probably the same one that I have for not pretending that one make and model will suit all my dry fly tying / angling needs.
John
John,
I so agree and I was very reluctant to pose that question. However, there were several threads with many posts where similar fly patterns were tyed on a variety of hooks, and then there were threads which discussed hooks, so I just thought I’d ask that limiting question. Of course the question is purely hypothetical and holds no value to anyone who’s tyed for years. Over those years, we who fit that bill very likely have accumulated numerous brands of hooks having the same application. Maybe some of the ‘newbees’ can answer the question because they’ve only used one thus far. But even then the lack of exposure does not allow for any reasonable comparison.
Again, not a valid question just a curious one for which there is no correct answer.
Gandy,
I’ve read that the new R50’s -94840s are shorter than the original. Can you confirm?
Thanks,
Steven
A tossup between a TMC 100BL and a 900BL for me too… I tend to buy the 100BL more because it is what is most predominately available at the fly shop I use. But, they are pretty much interchangeable.
Hi Steven,
I have enought 94840s that I have not had reason to buy any of the new R-50s. However, like you, I would really like to know if the new R-50s differ significantly from the old 94840s.
I hope someone will chime in and let us know.
Thanks and regards,
Gandolf
Gandolf,
I cannot comment on shank length difference yae or nae. What I can say is the R50 has a neatly formed eye, a small and shallow cut barbe and a less fragile hook point 
Cheers,
Hans W