Flat Eye vs. Straight Eye Jig Hooks

goose54cdd

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Jul 23, 2021
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What is the difference? Can you use regular beads on the flat eye?
 
So there is really no purpose for the flat-eye jig hooks?
 
i was simply asking which hook you were asking about

sorry to make that mistake
I wasn't being sarcastic, Norm. I seriously want to know why one is flat. I really don't know why. Is there an advantage to one over the other?
 
I wasn't being sarcastic, Norm. I seriously want to know why one is flat. I really don't know why. Is there an advantage to one over the other?
Advantage? Yes, of course, that's why there are only 12 fly patterns known to man. Those 12 have an advantage over all others.

Now that's being sarcastic.
 
This piqued my interest so I did a little searching and have found some comments that the flat eye hooks are supposed to allow dragging of the jig along rocks and wood to prevent snagging. Sounds line a load of manure to me but I am not a hook engineer. I really can't see how either one would make a difference.
 
This piqued my interest so I did a little searching and have found some comments that the flat eye hooks are supposed to allow dragging of the jig along rocks and wood to prevent snagging. Sounds line a load of manure to me but I am not a hook engineer. I really can't see how either one would make a difference.
To my thinking a benefit to flateye jig hooks might be is that they accept countersunk beads? I don't know! I've been tying and teaching for over 40 years, but jig hooks are a fairly recent fad. Thanks to all for their opinions, but I'm still not sure, hahaha!
 
To my thinking a benefit to flateye jig hooks might be is that they accept countersunk beads? I don't know!
No it has nothing to do with countersunk beads. The 60 degree (or whatever) bend below the eye determines what beads will fit best. Yes, you can make countersunk beads work, but they will not fit any better than with a straight eye. The fish won't care, but your flies will not look as neat and tidy as they do with slotted beads intended to be used with jig hooks.

Why do straight and flat eyes both exist? Because the fate of most anglers is to spend more time thinking about fishing and fly tying than actually fishing or fly tying so they cook up all kinds of theories and reasons to do things different with little actual realized benefit when those ideas are finally made material. Flat eye jig hook satisfied enough peoples OCD and thus they were brought to market for all of us to fuss over.
 
slotted and countersunk beads will work on jig style hooks. i did the experiment 10 years ago

 
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