for the large stuff i use eagle claws when tmc and mustard are gone and for drys and smaller nymphs sabers and some stuff from js that im not really a big fan of whose next
I like Dai Riki hooks for just about all my trout flies; don’t consider them “non premo”, just good hooks at a reasonable price. Same goes for Montana Fly Company, although I haven’t used them as much, yet.
Regards,
Scott
I like the Montana Hooks. The only problem is they don’t have much of a selection, especially in the smaller sizes.
Bruce
I started tying on Mustad Classics when they were $10-$12 in mixed sizes (same style) per 1000. I still have a tons of them left. Even on a graduate student’s tight budget, I was able to purchase an impressive supply. I may just quite tying when I run out of Mustad Hooks 
8T 
Flyshack sells Saber hooks for $6.99 per 100. The trout don’t seem to mind, and neither does my wallet.
Problem is…alot of the non-remo hooks being sold by other companies, are stgill MADE by those other comapanies
I look at captain hooks when I need hooks. Right now you can get 3366 in size 1 to 12 for $3/100. Hard to beat. There are other varieties for under $7/100.
Just added Captain Hooks to my favorites list. Insane prices! Thanks for the tip!
Gotta second Capt Hooks, prices are great and fast shipping, they still have some of the older mustads.
I have a problem, what is a non-premo hook???
Or for that matter a premo hook???
I’d define a premo hook as one where you’d spook the hole to get a snagged fly back .
Regards,
Scott
Originally Posted by Donald Nicolson
I have a problem, what is a non-premo hook???
Or for that matter a premo hook???
I’d define a premo hook as one where you’d spook the hole to get the fly back .
Regards,
Scott
Hahaha… I think Donald might still be scrunching his brow!
Michael
Michael, you are only too right, I am still totally mystified.
Obviously quite a lot cannot travel across the pond.
For a lower cost hook, I like Dai-Riki. A good friend of mine likes Togen hooks a lot. I have not tried them yet. Allen Fly Fishing has good prices, but they are not super sharp. I have tried some, and they were fine…just need to touch them up before fishing them. I also like Eagle Claw jig hooks. They are much more reasonably priced, although, you have to sharpen them too. I prefer hooks sharp out of the box though. Montana Fly Company has some decent streamer hooks. I have tried up to a size 6.
Daiichi may cost a bit more than some others but they are really worth a couple bucks more.
All sizes, seldom out of stock. I like the barbless hooks for my dry flies. The scud hooks are fantastic for my nymphs!
I am a dealer for them because a lot of my customers like to get both hooks and hackle at the same time.
Plus I have used Daiichi for all of my own fishing and tying for several years. There are places to cut costs but not on hooks.
Denny
Hi Donald,
“Premo” (PREE - moe) is a slang term derived from “prime”, or “the best”. “Non-premo” just means those which are cheaper and/or made from lesser material. American English is weird and wonderful…
[b]Thank you Denny and Kelkay,
I got the drift at last, my problem was nothing to do with hooks or fly fishing.
It was the old problem of mutual misunderstanding our common language.
I agree with you Denny, the Daiichi are excellent hooks and I use them a lot.
I use any hook I take a fancy to, a box of 25 hooks is not going to force me to eat out of
garbage dumps. Of course, I do not tie commercially.
Maybe I should post in the braid scots leid, that would really confuse everyone.:D:D
[/b]
When my budget drives me away from the hooks I prefer, I find myself in the hook aisle of the conventional tackle shop. If you’ve not been over that way for a while, check it out, it’s gotten a lot more diverse lately. Chances are you’ll find some nice surprises if you look hard enough. A lot of designs similar to fly hook, just labelled for different purposes.
In general, the bargain hooks I have used left me underwhelmed. I am happy with Mustads or most any major brand for ordinary trout flies and such, but when it is time to get serious the Gamikatsus come out. They are sharper and stronger. For salmon it makes a huge difference.
art
Considering how much one spends on everything else these days (e.g. gas), price of hooks is not worth worrying about, in my opinion. I simply use the hook I like best for the task. Usually prefer Tiemco or Daiichi, but also use Gamakatsu, Owens, Dai-Riki, Mustad, and Eagle Claw. Have tried a couple of the really cheap brands, and have been very dissappointed with the results in terms of fit, finish, and strength.