Getin to the Point

[jjtroutbum]

Im about to make a investment in hooks, and well I think this time its gonna be a much larger purchase than I have ever made in the past. I'm thinkin right after I finally finish my holliday shoping. I'll be purchasing several hundreds of assorted styles and sizes.

How would you go about making a purchase of this type? Not askin ya to do my shoppin for me, but if you've been in this situation before I would gladly accept all your input or advise.

Thanks,

JJ

[Gavin]

Drive on over to Hargroves or F. Craft, see what they have, and plunk down some money. Look at the hooks, are they what you want size & shape wise? If so any brand will do, as long as they are sharp, followed by price. Dai Riki's usually offer good value, followed by Tiemco. Mustads are usually the cheapest, but Dai Riki's and Tiemco's are usually sharper. If they dont have all the hooks you want, ask them to order them for you. Cheers.

[Ham]

Why so many all at once?

I like Tiemco, Gamakatsu, and the better Mustads.

I buy as I need for a new fly pattern, but I'm not much of a tyer.

[McManus]

Along with those hooks; I'd buy Hooks for the Fly, by William E. Schmidt. Stackpole books.----The hook manufacturers probably hate this guy. The book tells you the characteristics of a hook; and gives you the hooks by other manufacturers that are similar. If the recipe asks for a Mustad 3399; you can check to see if you have a Daiichi 1550, or a Eagle Claw L060; which are similar.

[jjtroutbum]

Gavin and Ham - Yep thats what I have been doing for the last several years, buying Dai-Riki hooks for specific patterns at feather-craft. However after tying buy the dozen to feed them to friends and family. Im allways running short and as in anything else I figured there may be a better way of doing things rather than not having exactly what i want when I want it. Not to mention that I am always ready to try another new pattern, size, or creation which for me seems only to be limited buy materials.

McManus - thanks for the advise there ill check the book out. Ive read many things on hooks and there similarities and well a reference would be nice, rather than doing the lay them down on the bench and compare tecnique.

Has anyone tried the eagle-claw tying hooks? Seems like they have the best prices that I have found at about eight dollars per hundred (Cabela's), but at five or six styles and two to five sizes in each is still well pretty pricy.

Thanks for the advice so far. Anyone else wanna add there two cents please do.

JJ

[Gavin]

Never tried the eagle claws, but they might be good hooks. I'd get a small box or two and compare them with Dai Riki's & Tiemco's before I'd order in any quantity. Frankly, I'll tie on anything, especially for smallmouth patterns. I've found some pretty neat hooks in the hook & jig racks at Bass Pro, Denny Dennis, and Paul's Bait & Tackle. Cheers.