Hook Quality

[Farmboy]

I'm new to steelhead fishing and fly tying steelhead fly patterns. I'm try to confine my tying to egg, nymph, streamer patterns as my fishing time is limited to the spring season because of other commitments. Does anyone have any advice on hook quality? It seems the basic manufacturing choice is America, Norway, or Japan. I'm sure there are other manufactures in other counties but, like I said, I'm just getting started. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank.

FARMBOY

[ninja115]

I am fairly new to fly tying and have been using Daiichi Hooks. They are sharp and I like them. I purchased some off-brand hooks recently to try them out and the difference in sharpness was unbelievable. The off-brand hooks slid across my fingernail like they were rounded off or something. They said they were chemically sharpened just like the Daiichi hooks I purchase, but they were just horrible, and were not really that much cheaper. I only tied one fly with them and they are just sitting there. I haven't wanted to go and sharpen them, but I could. See video of how to sharpen hooks below. It is for salt water hooks, but applies to all hooks. I check my hooks before I put them in the vise.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=30EveKi2tTM

I would stick with either Daiichi, or Mustad. I haven't heard anything bad about them, but have not tried them yet.

Hooks will also dull as you use them. They get caught on snags, and tick rocks on the bottom. I have a small hook sharpener that I carry with me when I go out fishing. I use it every now and then when my hooks are dull.

If a hook slides across your fingernail, it is dull. If it catches, it is sharp.

Hope this helps.

[eddiewardo]

I have used many hooks for the patterns you mentioned. The most consistent and best quality for me have been Tiemco and Mustad Signature series. Stay away from Dai rikki, I had them bend out multiple times on bigger fish in strong currents. The Daiichi hooks tend to snap off, as do the Raven hooks. Find one you like and stick with it.

Hope this helps,

eddiewardo

[Prosteel]

Kamasan extra strong are the best steelhead hook bar none, I can turn skams out of logs on size 8's and 10's and not have to worry bout bent hooks. The extra stong are the premium hook. Kamasan also make many other great variations of hooks as well Daiichi are good choices too. I use premium leader and main line and when I'm battling big kings and steelhead and putting the heat on them I'm sometimes almost on the brink of breaking 11.6 Raven and my 8 pound line and size 8 hook hold up no prob. Has landed me a many more trophy fish. So I would say for egg patterns Kamis in extra strong are a good choice, more of an egg style hook.