What is your standard hook for each of these categories, if you have one? Just one comment is fine. If you have a standard for each, you can list all if you would like to. Thanks.
I am looking forward to reading these. I use a combination of hook makers. I just got an order of Dai-Riki hooks in. I cannot wait to tie on them.
dry fly
wet fly/nymph short
wet fly/nymph long
streamer 3x or 4x
salt water bait fish patterns (I like SC15 or C52S-BLN. I also like Big Game hooks, but not sure if they are for salt or not)
Whatever is on sale! I recently found a few boxes of hooks from who knows who that I am going to tie stuff on. They came in cheap tackle box kits for the grandkids. I’ll probably feed them to the trees and bushes behind me anyway.
I do stick to 3399 or 3906 for tying Traditional Wets, though. I’m used to the proportions and my flies come out nicer.
Dry: TMC 100BL, 900 BL (18 and smaller), 5212, or 2487BL (depending on bug)
Nymphs: TMC 2457
Streamers: Dai Riki 700
Scuds, caddis, etc: TMC 2457
Most of these are aresult of thirty-plus years of tying and trying out different hooks, and when one of them doesn’t live up to my standards, it never gets purchased again. For instance, the Dai Riki 135 scud hook is a favorite of many people, but almost every single 50-pack I EVER bought had three flawed hooks in it. The 700s, though, run about one bad hook per thousand for me. Go figure.
I am taking note of these hooks y’all. I hope more people respond. I love to hear good reports before I get something new, if at all possible. It seems to spare a little grief down the road.
I’m too lazy to walk over to my tying stuff and dig through the boxes to see what numbers are on there. (at least I’m honest about my sate of lazieness :D)
Most of the hooks in my box are Mustad of various sizes, shapes and configurations. I use the “kink shank” Mustad hooks for tying poppers.
I can’t honestly say I’ve ever lost a fish as a fault of a hook.
Thanks guys for your input. I find this valuable info. I like to hear good comments about something you find that works for you. If you are too lazy to look…lol…I find that understandable…I have those days myself. That is one reason I am trying to get standards set in my hook collection. Not all of these numbers have soaked into my head yet, and it can be overwhelming at times with all the numbers, makes, and models. :lol:
I have heard good remarks about Kamasan, but have yet to try them. I have never used a Togen hook. I see you quoted your sizes…what about the hook numbers? I think what you have listed in size is very similar to what I would tie with. I never tie under a 16. I cannot see good enough to even tie on a 16 properly. 14’s are difficult. 12 and up is much easier for me. I do tie much larger streamers though, in addition to what you listed.
That is very informative. I bought Dai-Riki in a 300, 305, 70, and a 710. I think I have the TMC hook you mentioned. I will have to check on that. If I have it, it is not in large quantity though.
Kelkay
Well I have a few 3906s…lots of 3906Bs…and I have a Dai-Riki 70 which is an equivalent of a 3906. I must get some 3399s…I have heard too many good comments not to try them. I want to see the 3399A as well. It is a little longer from what I read on this forum. Sometimes that helps in not crowding the hook eye, sometimes I have days when that is a problem. (especially on a small fly)
I ordered some 3399, 3366, and 94840 hooks this evening. I had a few 94840 hooks in a size 12. I ordered size 12 and 14. I wish I had run across the ones I had at home quicker. I found that these aren’t very sharp hooks. Next time I will just order the Signature hooks instead. I am still sorting hooks. The info here has been very helpful. Anyone else is more than welcome to put your comments on this down on this thread. I know one thing, those Dai-Riki hooks I ordered are pretty dang sharp. They don’t need any extra filing on if you ask me.
I found a pack of 2457 hooks for scuds, shrimp, and caddis…so I have at least one of these you mentioned. I am going to have to try that Dai-Riki 700 out. I have really enjoyed Gamakatsu streamer hooks, and Daiichi streamer hooks the most. But I have not tried the 700.
As far as those dries, I will have to look them up. I never tie on a hook less than a size 16…I cannot see it. 16 and 14 give me serious eye strain.
“Magnifiers”… On small hooks I wear a set that make a wooden pencil on the floor look like a fallen tree trunk!.. Even on larger hooks I normally use a round, pedestal mounted lighted magnifier…
I gave up on #20’s and smaller. I found a place I can buy them so cheap ( made in china but good flys) that its not worth me buying that small of hooks by the 50 pack.
