Hooks

[Eversack]

Looking for input on best hooks (brand,model) for chironomids,
streamers, nymphs, wooly-buggers, etc. New tyer, trying to stock
basics.

[Philster]

wrerwe

[Philster]

gdgd

[FT]

After many years of tying, I have had Mustad hooks let me down at times; therefore, I don't use them. My first choice is Daiichi of any style. Then Tiempco and Targus follow close behind. Partridge is after them in my opinion.

Granted the Mustads are cheaper, but I prefer to use a better quality and tempered hook, even if it costs more.

[scottflycst]

Targus has been my choice for the past several years. I like their small barb and their price, best deal on the market.

[Jesse]

Hook, Line and Sinker at Smokey Point sells Mustad hooks in packs of 10. If your are just beginning it's an inexpensive way to get a wide variety of hooks.

Good luck to you

[Les Johnson]

Gamakatsu makes excellent steelhead and saltwater hooks in a wide range of styles and sizes. They also have a nice selection of trout hooks. Very, very sharp and with small barbs.
Daiichi has good hooks and some that are unusual for salmon and steelhead, with some excellent hooks for comets and other fast-sinking flies.
There isn't anything wrong with Mustad hooks other than you generally have to cull the bad ones out the box. There are generally only a few that have to be chucked. The modest price makes this a miniscule issue. Mustad saltwater hooks (3407, 34007 and 34011) are all good hooks although it pays to sharpen each one before tying your fly on it.
Partridge has a nice line of hooks. The only ones I presently purchase are the Kenny Baker streamer hooks.
That about does it for my input on hooks. Most of the above companies have websites where you can check out the hooks.
Cheers,
Les Johnson

[Richard Olmstead]

Thanks for your comments, Les.

I've been tying with Mustad hooks for years (not all patterns, but most of my standard dry, nymph, and freshwater streamer patterns) and I'm always astounded by the number of deprecating comments they receive on fly-fishing forums.

Yes, I sharpen the larger size hooks before fishing them, which I don't have to do with Tiemco or Gamakatsu, but considering that, for most patterns, the hook constitutes 75-90% of the cost of the materials that go into a fly, its a small price to pay considering the time that goes into the tying anyways. The brittleness of some other hook brands, relative to Mustad wire, probably accounts for as many discarded hooks as the occasional deformed hook in a box of Mustads.

Dick