Over garbage hooks

mute

mute

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Sep 8, 2006
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Ok, it was self inflicted the first time for using low priced hooks from truttagoods. Tying half a box of flies on them. Then realizing even on 12" stockies i can bend a hook basically straight. Sometimes with them flipping around at my feet, the entire shank snapping off. I thought I'd take a recommendation and use firehole outdoors hooks next.

Made the mistake of nearly filling a box again and with no better outcome, size 14-18 nymph hooks straightening on fish. Granted not on your average sized as stockers, but bigger 20" club fish. Regardless it's pretty disappointing having zero faith in my flies now, small or big, wild or stocked. The last thing anyone wants is losing a trophy over a crap hook.

So now the question is, does anyone actually have real world experience with hooks that don't feel like one time use products? I'm focused specially on nymph/jig hooks in the 12-18 range. I see alot of people rage about hanak and recently fullingmill. However I don't want to invest in time and money again just to be disappointed from overly marketed hooks. I won't be buying budget hooks again, although I didn't think firehole outdoors was going to be classified as that from my experience. But Im also not trying to spend $15 for 10 hooks. There has to be a happy medium for long term investment.
 
Have you tried mustads?
Im surprised you has issues with firehole hooks, I like them as well.
 
Yep, never had a problem with mustads. Nice, cheap, and have stood the test of time. I have no time for overly expensive or cheap hooks. I’m also not buying the sticks and stones or whatever stik some hook manufactures have come with.
 
mute said:
Ok, it was self inflicted the first time for using low priced hooks from truttagoods. Tying half a box of flies on them. Then realizing even on 12" stockies i can bend a hook basically straight. Sometimes with them flipping around at my feet, the entire shank snapping off. I thought I'd take a recommendation and use firehole outdoors hooks next.

Made the mistake of nearly filling a box again and with no better outcome, size 14-18 nymph hooks straightening on fish. Granted not on your average sized as stockers, but bigger 20" club fish. Regardless it's pretty disappointing having zero faith in my flies now, small or big, wild or stocked. The last thing anyone wants is losing a trophy over a crap hook.

So now the question is, does anyone actually have real world experience with hooks that don't feel like one time use products? I'm focused specially on nymph/jig hooks in the 12-18 range. I see alot of people rage about hanak and recently fullingmill. However I don't want to invest in time and money again just to be disappointed from overly marketed hooks. I won't be buying budget hooks again, although I didn't think firehole outdoors was going to be classified as that from my experience. But Im also not trying to spend $15 for 10 hooks. There has to be a happy medium for long term investment.
Click to expand...

Sounds to me you got some dryfly hooks they are thinner of the hooks. Had to learn myself about different style hooks for what to tie on them.
 
As far as micro jigs go... you won't go wrong with FM or Hanak hooks, trust me.
The FM 5045 has been in my tying kit since 2015 as well as the Hanak 400BL. I haven't had any issues with the FM hooks. Years ago, Hanak hooks had some bad finishing on their batches, and they would rust but, not these days.

Both companies have great hooks.
 
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I like the Fulling Mill hooks. As above, for bargain hooks I have always had good luck with the Saber hooks from Fly Shack.
Mike B
 
Ill stick up for Firehole, they work well for me. Great customer service and a company of great faith. I also like fulling mill & orvis too. Just my input but still sorry to hear it happened to you.
 
I like Saber hooks. To me they're among the best of the cheap hooks.
 
I've had firehole's straighten out on me. Mustad's have never failed me they are now flashy but they are consistent.
 
I have't had any issues with Firehole hooks. Most of my flies are tied on them and I've never had one break or straighten out on me. I also like some Fulling Mill hooks as well mainly the Teflon streamer hooks.
 
mute said:
Ok, it was self inflicted the first time for using low priced hooks from truttagoods. Tying half a box of flies on them. Then realizing even on 12" stockies i can bend a hook basically straight. Sometimes with them flipping around at my feet, the entire shank snapping off. I thought I'd take a recommendation and use firehole outdoors hooks next.

Made the mistake of nearly filling a box again and with no better outcome, size 14-18 nymph hooks straightening on fish. Granted not on your average sized as stockers, but bigger 20" club fish. Regardless it's pretty disappointing having zero faith in my flies now, small or big, wild or stocked. The last thing anyone wants is losing a trophy over a crap hook.

So now the question is, does anyone actually have real world experience with hooks that don't feel like one time use products? I'm focused specially on nymph/jig hooks in the 12-18 range. I see alot of people rage about hanak and recently fullingmill. However I don't want to invest in time and money again just to be disappointed from overly marketed hooks. I won't be buying budget hooks again, although I didn't think firehole outdoors was going to be classified as that from my experience. But Im also not trying to spend $15 for 10 hooks. There has to be a happy medium for long term investment.
Click to expand...
Have met the owner of Truttagoods and another member of his FFing competition team. Both use Truttagoods hooks when competing and don't seem to have a problem with them. Have you left the company feedback on the experience you are having?
 
mute said:
Ok, it was self inflicted the first time for using low priced hooks from truttagoods. Tying half a box of flies on them. Then realizing even on 12" stockies i can bend a hook basically straight...
Click to expand...
To add to Rainier42's comments, did you try contacting either manufacturer/distributor?

I ask, because I once had a problem with some Tiemco 5263's breaking with hardly any effort. I contacted Tiemco, and they sent me replacements for all of the 5263 hooks in my inventory which was about 500 at the time and they didn't want the old hooks back.

That being said, all of my regular nymphs are tied on Daiichi 1560's and Tiemco 5262's. To be honest all I use and have been using for regular fishing flies for a LONG TIME is Daiichi & Tiemco.

No issues, no reason to change and you won't be "trying to spend $15 for 10 hooks."

Good luck!
 
I have experienced this before ,got great deal ln some bulk hooks and over winter started making up multiple boxes,i snapped a few ,bent some but still ignored then when in water i had a trout bend hook, and then started to realize that great deal on hooks wasnt so good , spent all,winter tying up several boxes .....
since then i have only used two different Hooks , Fulling Mill or Partridge problmn solved
David
 
My best experience has been with Mustad. However if find the Habak hooks to be exceptionally sharp.
 
I have to admit i kind of have a Hook buying problmn ...lol i buy a few 100 each week lol , i always worry they will be scarce .lol
i used to like “ Dairiki “ years ago , then they were hard to find and then i heard they were sold to an overseas company , i think they were out of livingston ,mt ?
David.
 
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