Hook Eyes

[Flytyer]

This topic is brought over from the Ask the Pros section and is in response to a question asked by Tbone in the fly hooks thread.

 

This topic should bring up some interesting theories as to hook choices in flies.

[Brownstone]

I'd say all three .. different ones for different flies, I tend to use down turn for dries, up turns for wets, and straight for nymphs and streamers... i voted straight b/c i use more straight than anything else..

[ladystrange]

interesting thought for contemplation. i use a lot of dries but i like my streamers too. it just depends on the application. i dont have a problem with straights for wet flies but i find the straights and turned up easier to tie off when i'm done. that would be because i sometimes have spacing issues with turned down hooks even though i fish dries mostly.

[DutchDryfly]

I'd say all three .. different ones for different flies, I tend to use down turn for dries, up turns for wets, and straight for nymphs and streamers

 

Exactly what I do.

[albannachxcuileag]

A lot depends on the gape and bend of the hook for my selection of eye, the majority I tie are on down eye because if you are fishing wets then the take anchors the fly more firmly. On dries, I prefer straight eyed hooks as the take is horizontal to the axis of fishing. There was a recent article about hook penetration compared to the hook eye and also to the shank length that went into great detail with hook geometry - more than I needed to know! If the fish takes and stays on, then it is the right hook and eye combination!

[Flytyer]

AC where did you find this article? ....sounds like it could very interesting

[albannachxcuileag]

AC where did you find this article? ....sounds like it could very interesting

 

I have just spent the better part of the morning looking for the article and have had no luck so far. It was one of those idle moments where you start clicking links in one page and end up miles from where you started but I remember this article was very well illustrated showing the tippet / eye / hooking point relationship of different styled hooks. It went into depth about the speed of penetration of the hook and it's ability to retain the fish also it showed that certain popular styles of hook used by fly anglers had very poor hooking rates as opposed to others. One thing I do remember well is the section on circle hooks and how the 'strike' is not necessary for them due to their extreme geometry and the action of the fish in turning.

 

I'll keep looking!

[lonefisher]

I would also have to say it depends on the fly......

[Flytyer]

Food for thought: which one of these styles creates the most bulk? the least?