Publisher’s Note: The following is a reply to a question on hook standardization posted
on our bulletin Board back on October 14th, 2002. Perhaps it will help you in your fly
tying.
Well Pete, you sure have stirred up a hornets nest here. . .
The simple answer is that there is NO standardization with
regards to hook sizes. Each manufacturer has their own ideas
on sizing. Often, the only time that you will see similar
hooks from mfr to another equal is when one company is
knocking off anothers pattern. This happens all the time
with all the mfr’s. Some mfr’s even go as far as to use
the same model number for their hook with a letter or
extra number added.
The problem with trying to generalize hook sizes is that
each mfr uses different specifications to base their hooks
on. For example, what Mustad considers a 2X long streamer
hook may be considered a IX long (or 3X long) by another
mfr. Now, this inconsistency between mfr’s is compounded
by the inconsistencies within a mfr’s offerings. If you
were to take a “standard” length dry fly hook and measure
the length of each hook from the largest to the smallest
size you would be surprised. We at Mustad have done this
with competitors hooks and we found a lot of inconsistencies.
When you went up in size, the length increased by 7%, then 4%,
then 14%, then 9% and so on. In theory, when you go up or down
in size the tying length and wire diameter should increase/decrease
proportionally.
When it comes to hook gap the same issues are present. In
general however, if you want a hook with a wider gap, go
for a hook that is IX (or more) shorter. This gives you a
hook with a wider gap. A size 12 IX short hook will have a
wider gap than a size 12 with standard length. A 2X hook
would have an even wider gap (proportionally).
So, you have say, a Tiemco hook. Size 4 Salmon/Steelhead hook.
You want to find the Mustad, Partridge or Daiichi equivalent.
The only real way to do this is be able to physically look at
the hooks. A Tiemco #4, will not have the same proportions as
a Mustad or Daiichi and so on and so on. Yes, it certainly is
frustrating. Hook making is a secretive business. Each
manufacturer has their own “top secret” hook making machines.
They have their own ideas and opinions on just what a hook
should look like. There are some exceptions to this however.
There are a few Japanese “Hook Manufacturer’s” who are merely
distributors. They buy their hooks from the same manufacturer
as a few others. In these cases, the sizes and shapes will be
identical.
It certainly would make life easier if there was some
standardization within the industry but don’t hold your
breath. I can tell you that the Mustad Signature series
hooks are standardized. Every hook within the Signature
series is based off one master set of specifications. So,
when you go up or down in size, the wire diameter, hook gap
and tying length increase/decrease proportionally. If you want
a 2X strong, standard length hook you can go with the R70
(2X strong, standard length). If you wanted the same wire,
but 2X longer the R72 (2X strong, 2X long) would be the one.
If you compare the hooks side by side, the R70 and R72 match
each other by size on wire diameter and gap. It took a great
deal of time to standardize a series of hooks. We will never
see standardization between all the hook manufacturer’s.
Just look at fly rod ratings. That was standardized but you
can pick up a 4WT from five different mfr’s and they all may
handle a 3WT line differently.
My suggestion is to try and get catalogs from each of the
mfr’s and you can then compare hooks from one mfr to another.
I’m not sure what’s available from the other mfr’s out there,
but I can tell you that Mustad & Partridge have catalogs that
show each hook size in every pattern in actual size. That
makes life much easier when comparing brands and determining
the style and size of the hook. This certainly can be frustrating
and I know I have talked to many tiers at shows who were struggling
with cross-referencing hooks.
Hope this sheds some light on the issue. . .
~ Jeff Pierce, (Dr.Fish) If it has fins and swims than I must chase it!
Please check out the Fly Tying Section, on the Bulletin Board here at FAOL too.
If you have any questions, tips, or techniques; send them to
publisher@flyanglersonline.com
Originally published October 14th, 2002 on Fly Anglers Online by Jeff Pierce.