When I was a lad (60?s) we bought 2 types of hook for fly tying. Down eyed for wets, lighter wire up-eyed for dries. When I got back into fishing after a 20 year lay-off, I was flabbergasted at the changes in trout fishing, among them the plethora of hooks available to us now for tying. So my question is this : do these fancy new hooks make a big difference? If I tie up emerger type patterns or ? hog type of flies, they most definitely look better on a curved hook, they look terrific in fact. BUT ? does it make a difference or not? I would really like to hear the opinion of the forum on this. Understand I am not ?knocking? fancy hooks here, I really just want some opinions whether or not they make a difference or if its just a case of pleasing the anglers eye.
Allan is spot on. The new hooks definitely make a difference. The Kamasan B-100 is a great hook. Very sharp and strong, and you can get it quite cheaply in bulk. Best of all, it is an excellent hooker. The point lines up nicely with the slightly down-curved eye in a straight pull. It also has a mini-barb that makes releasing a fish easy, but penetrates and stays put. Some more expensive hooks have relatively rank barbs on them.
As far as the fly's posture is concerned, in my opinion it's essential for sunk abdomen emergers.
Allan, I see Kev at the Glen Of Rothes sells hooks online at good prices, you can buy online
Check it out
http://www.morayflyfishing.co.uk/kamasanhooks.php
are any of these hooks suitable for the emerger patterns?
In the 60,s & 70,s there used to be two manufacturers Mustad & Partridge
I was an Agent for Mustad in Ross-shire in the 70,s mainly Sea hooks for long lines There was no vat on spade ended hooks so I sold a lot for commercial fishing , I got my fly hooks in with my orders but I stopped when the Quality went all to pot and started with Sheila Hassams hooks That were said to be British and were excellent, and then all the other hooks started to arrive, I have been using Hayabusa hooks from Rutland these have a nice Heavy weight wet which is great for the hill loch trout I dont like leaded hooks as I have enough trouble catching the bottom any way, I used to use G Bucknall micro barb hooks till he stopped trading, I still have a few size 16 LS for daddies, but I heard these hooks were VMC made for him on contract, it would be intersting to make a survey of the best and worst of the hooks available, breac
Fred,
Don't fancy those gold hooks much. Glasgow Angling Centre has the B-100 in bronze for the same price.
I used to get them in 100 pkts, but can't seem to find them anymnore.
http://www.fishingmegastore.com/acatalog/fly_tying_Hooks.html
found another supply for b100?s ?66.40 per 1000
http://www.tackleshop.co.uk/ProductDetails/mcs/productID/1205/groupID/21/categoryID/202/v/
That seems a good price although I don?t want 1000 in one go anyone know of a better one? Allan mentioned ?5 / 100 from somewhere.
Fishtec do Kamasan hooks ?4.99 per 100 in their catalogue but not on the website.