Gamakatsu vs. Partridge of Redditch

[Nick Williams]

Has anyone seen any comparisons or reviews that are trying to give the pros and cons of these two manufacturers? I tie on mostly Gamakastu B10S for my streamers, but Partridge is starting to get really popular and makes a wide variety of hooks just like Gama. I've been searching but haven't found anything yet. 

What do you tie on (for streamers) and why??

Thanks!

[Lancer09]

I Tie on Both.

I really like the B10S but the problem they have is a shorter shank relatively. Gama has some Great streamer hooks. I tie quite a bit on Tiemco 8089, the Partridge Attitude hook is a great one too if you want a straight eye, true bend hook instead of the stinger bend. 

All preference, and they all have a place.

 

[Nick Williams]

I tie on mostly the B10S as well, and really can't complain about it. In all the flies I've made with them, only two of them failed and they were on the same streamer. I've been asking quite a few guys, including Mike Schmidt, Brian Wise, and Pat Cohen, and everyone has a different opinion on what makes each hook better. It really came down to personal preference for most of them! I have had a few guys say they think the B10S holds better than a true bend hook like the Attitude, but no one really seems to have any real "proof."

[Ozarks Chillbilly]

As previously stated in the thread, both hooks provide great tying for various reasons.

 

I love the B10S In size 6 or 4 for my medium streamers (zonker+woolhead). For my articulated flies, I have started using Redditch's Universal Predator hooks in size #1, #2, etc. 

Some fly shops don't carry these mean hooks, but if you're in the Springfield area I have started going to Plateau Fly Shop. They have (so far) had all that I needed and more. 

Good luck!

[Nick Williams]

21 hours ago, Ozarks Chillbilly said:

As previously stated in the thread, both hooks provide great tying for various reasons.

 

I love the B10S In size 6 or 4 for my medium streamers (zonker+woolhead). For my articulated flies, I have started using Redditch's Universal Predator hooks in size #1, #2, etc. 

Some fly shops don't carry these mean hooks, but if you're in the Springfield area I have started going to Plateau Fly Shop. They have (so far) had all that I needed and more. 

Good luck!

Since posting this over a year ago, I have bounced around between hook manufacturers. Ahrex is now a big one on the scene that I am really enjoying. As far as Partridge goes, I'ven had several issues with some of their hooks this summer (Stripers can straighten hooks out pretty quick if you're not careful!), and I'm not sure that I will keep tying with them after finishing out what stock I have left. Went back to Gamakatsu for several patterns. If you haven't tied with any Ahrex hooks, their light stinger hooks are really sticky, pretty similar to the B10S. 

In the end, I've realized that you should tie with what works for you as long as the hook does what it needs to! 

[Ozarks Chillbilly]

15 minutes ago, Nick Williams said:

Since posting this over a year ago, I have bounced around between hook manufacturers. Ahrex is now a big one on the scene that I am really enjoying. As far as Partridge goes, I'ven had several issues with some of their hooks this summer (Stripers can straighten hooks out pretty quick if you're not careful!), and I'm not sure that I will keep tying with them after finishing out what stock I have left. Went back to Gamakatsu for several patterns. If you haven't tied with any Ahrex hooks, their light stinger hooks are really sticky, pretty similar to the B10S. 

In the end, I've realized that you should tie with what works for you as long as the hook does what it needs to! 

I appreciate the info! I have been seeing some really cool flies tied on Ahrex hooks recently. That in itself proves that they perform good. I will have to pick some up and try them out!

Do you typically purchase them online or does your local shop have them in stock? I will have to check here, not sure if they carry them.

Thanks

[Nick Williams]

1 hour ago, Ozarks Chillbilly said:

I appreciate the info! I have been seeing some really cool flies tied on Ahrex hooks recently. That in itself proves that they perform good. I will have to pick some up and try them out!

Do you typically purchase them online or does your local shop have them in stock? I will have to check here, not sure if they carry them.

Thanks

Yeah, there are a lot of guys that are excited about them, and for good reason. I've been holding off committing to them too much because they're still relatively new to the hook market. So far so good, but there are always kinks in every manufacturing process! 

I am actually a commercial tyer, so I can get my hooks straight from the source. As far as what shops are carrying Ahrex at this time, I'm not sure. Maybe Dally's in AR or Feather-Craft in St. Louis. They're so new that I'm not sure who would be carrying them.

[ness]

I tie on whatever the heck those streamer hooks are that I bought years ago. Never missed or lost a fish based on hook yet. When they're gone, I'll get some more. So, get you some of those and you're set. 

[Ozarks Chillbilly]

47 minutes ago, ness said:

I tie on whatever the heck those streamer hooks are that I bought years ago. Never missed or lost a fish based on hook yet. When they're gone, I'll get some more. So, get you some of those and you're set. 

Haha, I feel ya there. I just like using certain streamer hooks over another usually based on the gap between the hook and the shank. Some patterns with more materials and that try to get after a specific swimming pattern/profile are better constructed on hooks with different structures. 

It's by no means 'necessary' and probably doesn't really matter, like you said. But to each their own; at least it makes some fly tyers feel better or more confident in their creation... this being the case for me.