Meaning, what prompts you to buy? Do you buy for specific patterns? Or do you just buy the common sizes you think you’ll need? I find myself buying for the pattern and always seem like I’d wish I’d gotten more or of different types and sizes.
Thanks for looking,
Mike
Hi Mike,
I buy a complete range of sizes and styles based on what I think I will need. I then keep track of my current inventory and purchase replacements as needed. Take care & …
Tight Lines - Al Beatty [url=http://www.btsflyfishing.com:67fc2]www.btsflyfishing.com[/url:67fc2]
I usually buy based on what type of hook I’m looking for. Brands don’t matter as long as the style is right. If I’m not happy with that brand I will try another and if I like that style/brand I’ll stock it up in all the sizes I think I’ll use. I have mostly TMC hooks as they seem to be the most popular brand stocked in my area but I have some Daichii hooks I got on sale as well as some partridge hooks. Funny thing though, a lot of the hooks I really like seem to always be the discontinued ones… like the TMC 205bl… if anyone has any they don’t want, I’ll take em…LOL
Being just 3 generations removed from Norway, if it don’t say Mustad, it don’t get bought! 
Don
Okay, I DO have some aberdeen that are ‘whatever brand available at Wally World’ type of hooks, but then the Gills are not as appreciative of the good hooks as some of the other fishes. . . . 
Mike, interesting question you caused me to ask myself. Brings a whole string of memories for which, I think, I’m grateful. I find I am strong on the ‘brand’ opinion. Always looking in a certain brand first. Then, when I have bought hooks of a different brand, I have a negative feeling towards them when tying. Like, they are ‘off-beat’ or somehow just not up to the ‘warm and fuzzy’ confidence feeling I have with the ones I have tied on for over sixty years. Oh, and I have met Hans too.
Some of the off-brand ones are in little unmarked containers now and I have no idea what they are. Not likely I will ever use them.
I have two primary concerns when I buy hooks. They are cost and quality. You can easily find two different brands of hooks that are almost identical in specifications, but widely different in price and maybe only slightly different in quality. I sincerely doubt that the fish care - or they wouldn’t hit the fly.
Since I tie hundreds of flies each year, most of which are wets or nymphs I lean heavily towards Mustad with Eagle Claw a second choice. Eagle Claw makes some relatively inexpensive hooks which are great for crappie flies. My most used hook is a Mustad 3399. Hook & Hackle, a FAOL sponsor has a good price on the 3399 as well as others.
Tim Anderson
Well, I’m far from typical but when I see a new shape I like, I will buy all of the sizes I think I might use and then replace what I need. I really like hook shapes and try to select the best shape or size I can given the fly or what it’s intended to catch. Anymore though, I am tying almost exclusively fully dressed flies these days.
Happy Trails!
Ronn
I used to buy what was listed on the pattern recipe but ended up with too many different hooks. Now I use Tiemco because they’re sharp, in two types for nymphs (3761 and 2487) and two types for dries (100 and 200R) and one type for buggers (5263). I have them in 12 compartment fly boxes. This way I can keep track of what I have in stock. Of course, I have a box of all different bass bug, streamer, egg hooks, saltwater gurgler and streamers. Lots of hooks!
I appreciate everyone’s comments. Being new to tying I thought I’d ask and see what others are doing. It seems like a daunting task at times. I find it easier for me to tie nymphs so that is what I buy more of…
however I am trying my best to get the dries looking better. ( hackle sizes, not crowding the eye, ect. ect…)
Like I said before, I appreciate the feedback.
Thanks,
Mike
I buy hooks that are in the size ranges that I use the most often.
There is not alot of rhyme or e reason to the cache of hooks I have.
Rick
HOOKS—I have HOOKS—then it seemed I never had the hook I was supposed to have. So I bought William E. Schmidt’s book: Hooks for the Fly.
It is absolutely the most comprehensive source for cross references, and hook descriptions.
I believe I read where Mr. Schmidt died. I sincerely hope Stackpole Books keeps this book in print and up to date.
Swing hard, in case they throw the ball where you’re swinging. Duke Snider
FIRST, I look in the “bargain bin”. Then IF a bug needs a certain style bend or…? I will look accordingly. SOME bugs we use certain hooks, but many bugs we use ANY hook of appropriate size.
Two drawers of hooks and like Rick, no ryme or reason for most of’em. 
…lee s.
When I buy hooks it is the quality of the finnish, the strength of material, the sharpness and the style. Based on these things all my hook styles are Mustad except 1. John
[url=http://home.comcast.net/~bassman540/johnsfliesandswaps.html:82a6f]http://home.comcast.net/~bassman540/johnsfliesandswaps.html[/url:82a6f]
I wish you all everlasting flies and tight lines.
Since hooks are usually the most expensive component of the flies I tie, especially for saltwater, I’ll usually buy the 50 or 100 packs of the styles and sizes I use most often. I have certain favorites for certain flies, but have decent inventories from a half dozen major hook manufacturers. I try not to pay full retail for my hooks, but look for sales, discounts, eBay listings, or ads from people who are liquidating fly shops to pick up hooks in quantity.
I keep a close inventory of what is needed as to patterns I am tying, as well as hook types that need to be replaced. I try to be fully stocked since fly tying is my side business !!!
I look for what’s cheap on EBay. Then, I tie patterns according to what hooks I have. I’ve been getting some real good deals on scud and streamer assortments.
Semper Fi!
I go the eBay route also. I check out the auctions for styles I want and bid for those. If the hooks go for more than 1/3rd retail, including postage, I stop bidding. I have gotten great deals on standard dry fly, nymph, emerger, and scud hooks.
Hi Mike,
My general method of hook selection is to read what the fly recipe calls for and look on the hook equivalency chart under the column labelled “Mustad.” Honestly, I’m not kidding. 8T
You had better learn to be a happy camper. You only get one try at this campground and it’s a real short camping season.
I visit a fly shop and reach for Dai Ichi or Dai Riki. They are always sharp. I find that I have to sharpen other brands.
“Give me ambiguity or give me something else”