With the proliferation of hook manufacturers these days it gets really frustrating when we tiers describe a hook by using a maker’s model number instead of a real description of the hook. Is it because an we don’t know how to describe it, is it because we have a vested interest or is there a taint of snob appeal?
I can only speak for myself, but I don’t have a built in memory of cross indexed hook model numbers.
Instead of saying a hook is a Tiemco 200R why not merely say it’s a 3XL tde curved shank hook.
I’m sure there a a lot of detail oriented tiers who will comment that there are variations in 3XL tde curved shank hooks between makers but I would question whether the fish would care. Please remember, I’m not talking about precise tying to exactly duplicate historic classics.
We have enough to do just trying to keep track of all the trivial variations in synthetic fibers and yarns.
Because when I say TMC 100, everyone who has ever tied a fly knows what I’m talking about.
Actually a 200R has a straight eye. Using a model number is shorthand, a quick way of describing something; if I can say 94840 instead of “Turned down eye. Standard length. Extra-fine wire” and get my point across, I’m going to do it.
Regards,
Scott
i have no problems with the manufactures hook number designations.
similar to what scott said above, its easier to say “Mustad R74-9672” than “ROUND BEND, FORGED, CHEMICALLY SHARPENED SIGNATURE POINT, NOR-TEMPERED, MICRO BARB, 2 EXTRA STRONG, 4 EXTRA LONG, TURNED DOWN EYE, BRONZED”
I feel your pain. I don’t generally memorize hook style numbers. “3XL Streamer Hook” or “1XL Dry Fly Hook” helps me picture the correct hook.
94840 …
I’d be quite surprised if more than 10% of the people just on this site could describe a TMC 100. And that number is probably high.
When I describe a pattern I tie, I just say what model hook I tied it on.
I didn’t say the people on this site. I said people who tie flies. All of the tiers I know would know what hook I was referring to if I just said a 100, without the TMC. Course they tie trout flies, not bass bugs.
Well, yah, you know, it’s got the straight part on it and, ya know, it’s not too big around, and it’s all shiny and it curves where the sharp pointy thingie is. How’zat?
What about that little loop on the end? Has it got one of those? And that little thing that make it hard to get out of your thumb?
I’m supposed to use the hook they say rather than something I have on hand?
No wonderr I am so confused.
Rick
Jesse, Betty’s been tying flies since BEFORE they started bending that little loop on the front of the hook. Just sayin’!
This should help with the whole numbers game with brands and stuff just bookmark the link or Google “hook comparison chart”
another hook chart
Hi Ray,
I think you have a good point, and at times when giving a pattern I will list the hook in any of three ways such as: (1.) Mustad 9672, 10 - 12 (or other 3x long nymph hook), (2.) Mustad 9672, 10 - 12, or (3.) 3x long nymph hook, 10 - 12.
Guess it depends on what kind of mood I am in. I think my tying must be mostly old school, because allmost all I tie with are Mustad classics, so I tend to list the Mustad classic hooks for the pattern.
I do know at least some of the very most common TMCs though.
However, if we would list the hook in the way you have mentioned, it would spare me the trouble of having to look up the hook type on a hook chart if I don’t know it.
Regards,
Gandolf
And how many would know what a TMC 100BL would be?
It is getting frustrating.
It’s pretty easy to just write a simple description of the hook: ‘standard dry fly’ ‘4X streamer’, etc. We don’t need all the tiny details unless they are critical to the fly design, just something that will tell us how long and if it has a funny bend (I’ll just use a straight shank hook anyway and bend it, I HAVE those).
Model numbers are not descriptions, and having to use a hook chart to figure out what the hook ‘is’ is something I wouldn’t bother with.
I think it’s more of the snoot factor than anything else, or maybe just lack of respect for the those who will read it. That or just the age old ‘since I know, you should know too. It’s the fly tying code, you figure it out…’ type of attitude.
I’d like to see the whole realm of fly tying simplified, though…descriptions of the FLY, not just some inane name, but I’ll never see that either.
Buddy
You assume too much. I tie trout flies and the only Tiemco number I know is 7999, which isn’t even a trout fly.
I don’t always agree with bass bug, but in this case I do. I just describe a hook used in a pattern based on any features that make it favorable for the pattern, or just mention the specific model I used.
For example, if I tied a streamer, I might say ‘any 3-4X long streamer hook’ or I might say ‘Dai-riki 700’. If I expected everyone to know what I was talking about just by saying ‘700’, that would be ridiculous.
If I were tying a typical dry fly, I’d just say ‘use your favorite standard dry fly hook’. Obviously there are several different models. Myself, I prefer using 1-4x fine wire, up-eye if I have em in the right size.
One of these days I’ll have to post a step-by-step where I just say to use a 7974, size #15. 
I wonder how many hook manufacturers there actually are? Could some brands be using the same manufacturer; i.e., Orvis, Trout Hunter; etc.? There are also barbed vs. non-barbed; whisper barb; etc.
I would prefer to know exactly what hook was used for the fly I’m looking at. I may not use it, but I’d like to know. I have no problem looking up the make/model if I’m not familiar with it. There are any number of new pattern types that are being developed that call for hooks that are also developed for that fly. Many are foreign patterns with unique hooks.
I particularly like to know, when it comes to salmon flies. I recall one salmon fly that Stage1 had posted that had some real nice lines to the hook which complimented the pattern. I wanted to know what he tied it on. Luckily someone else also wanted to know and already asked. Sure, the fish don’t care, but were trying to catch fisherman also. For me, it’s also the artistic value of the tie, which can be greatly altered by the hook model used. Just my 1/2 cents worth.
Best regards, Dave S.