I have been tying comparaduns this week. Some I tie with the hook below the fly body, but I like the look of the hook above the body. The fly rides lower to the water and looks more realistic with the hook riding above the water. Anyone have any idea which hook position will hook fish better… FB.
Farmer Bob,
With all due respect, how can the fly ride lower? The wing is above the hook either way isn’t it?
FWIW, according to Datus Proper in his book on fly design, “What the Trout Said,” hook down will hook fish better than hook up.
-Steven
I tye comparaduns with hook down I don’t think it would sit in the water with the hook up if it does you might want to use less of a wing or a heavier hook if your worrying about how it sits.
You might find that you are missing some hook sets with the hook point up. If you look at the fly you will see that the wing and tail protect the hook point more than if tied the proper way. Just a heads up. Ron
I definitely missed more strikes when fishing flies with the hook point up. I had to learn more patience and let the trout take the fly and turn rather than setting quickly. On the other hand, I seemed to get a lot of strikes. I’m sure other factors influenced that as well. This is based on limited experience with flies tied hook point up. Also, mine were tied with hackle around the bend of the hook, I don’t know if that is standard practice or not.
Fish more, work less!