5 Fundamentals of Fly Tying Hooks | Module 3, Section 1

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If you're an avid fly tier or just starting out, you've probably come across what seems like thousands of fly tying hooks and wondered what the differences are. In this video, we'll be exploring the different types of fly tying hooks and their unique characteristics.
We'll cover the classic dry fly hook, known for its lightweight design and ability to float on the water's surface. Then, we'll move on to the versatile nymph hook, which is great for imitating aquatic insects that live under the water’s surface. Next up, we have the streamer hook, perfect for tying larger patterns that imitate larger baitfish and crayfish.
But wait, there's more! We'll also delve into jig hooks, which are gaining popularity for their unique design that allows the fly to ride hook point up, reducing snagging on the bottom.
By the end, you'll have a better understanding of the different types of fly tying hooks and which ones are best for your specific needs.
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[@jeffreystone7327]

Really appreciated this module. Hooks numbering systems have always been my weakness. Shame it’s not a standardized system. Thank you for sharing this.

[@PNWflyfishingsteve]

Thank you very much. Truly a great explanation and perfect for starting out. It took me 7 months to get to where your video got me in 12 min.

[@venturesflyco]

Hey Stephen. Super appreciate the feedback. Glad you found it helpful! 😎🤙🏽 Plenty more coming your way.

[@JoelSzymczyk]

I'm glad I started tying as a kid 40-some years ago. Hook gaps were pretty standard, the "X" system made perfect sense based on a standard Mustad 94840 dry fly hook. X was simple... a size 10 3XL nymph hook had the same gap as a size 10 standard but a shank length equal to a standard 3 times (X) bigger so shank length of a size 6. Same with wire diameter (1X Mustads were the go-to, "fancy" english hooks weren't available in my world. Hook sizes, if you consider sizes are measured on hook gap measurement, is totally out the window today. You basically have to look at and measure any hook these days to know if it's the physical size you want. It's pretty stupid.

[@venturesflyco]

Amen! Its such a mess. haha

[@robertbritt3129]

I been doing all my fishing barbless for years way more fun way way more fun and the fact that the fish can get off A. If you lose control and tension...or B. The fish is good enough, smart enough, or lucky enough to throw the hook brings a sport to fishing that makes it exciting and finesse. And you don't hurt the fish you don't decide to keep.

[@venturesflyco]

Agreed! Barbless is the way to go.

[@richtawney9877]

I'd love to watch an expanded and more detailed version of this. Great basic video! Thanks

[@venturesflyco]

Appreciate the feedback. 😎🤙🏽 What additional information would you want to know?

[@HalfInsaneOutdoorGuy]

The TMC model numbers (IMO) make the most sense. 100 is the basic most basic dry hook. the 101 is a bit stouter, the 105 a nymph hook...etc.

[@freddysflyz]

Great video and I wish I had found this when I was getting started in fly tying. Hands down, the best hook demystifying information I've seen to date!

[@venturesflyco]

Appreciate the feedback. Exactly what we were hoping to accomplish. Glad you found it helpful. 😎🤙🏽

[@sallysanderson3627]

Great video thanks for all the information!

[@venturesflyco]

Thanks Sally! Appreciate the comments.

[@JoshOsteen]

This helped my confusion a lot thanks!!! #flytying

[@venturesflyco]

For sure! Glad it helped.

[@jakegodfrey7855]

Awesome stuff

[@venturesflyco]

Thanks amigo! 😎🤙🏽

[@guskoerner75]

Alex, You do great work! Very informative. I lead a group of young 4-H kids in a fly fishing clinic right now, that will be turning into a club that meets regularly. Is there a book you can recommend that teaches what you are covering in this series? Like a good cook in the kitchen who follows a recipe, I would like to find or create a "recipe" book for tying flies. Can you envision that? That recipe would list all the necessary "ingredients" (components), and would have detailed instructions on how to create each fly. What do you think?

[@oldsmugglerflyfishing]

Very interesting video

[@venturesflyco]

Thanks friend!

[@jabobihlman541]

Dude. Yes.

[@venturesflyco]

Haha. Appreciate it! 😎🤙🏽

[@SM-dv6wi]

Great video, I am a beginner tying flys, I tie all nymphs at the point and use jig style hooks. I want to work on some drys this winter, caddis, maybe some emerges etc probably all size 14 to start. Any recommendations for this rookie? Thx!

[@venturesflyco]

Hey! Awesome. The standard dry fly hooks that most people use are TMC 100 or Daiichi 1170 or 1180. I’d start there. Then you’ll need some hackle (would recommend whiting 100 packs at first). Dubbing - any superfine works. Then just practice, practice, practice! Haha.

[@overthehillandoverthemount2925]

Awesome video found this very interesting. Been tying as an amateur for 30 years now. It’s a shame there is no official documentation what a size hook is and the dimension of that hook should be. Now every hook manufacturer can do whatever they want. One thing that confuses me if you have a size 14 hook with a 2X gap how come that’s not called a size 12 hook.

[@venturesflyco]

Thanks for the comment and kind feedback. For sure! Such a pain. Lots of confusion out there. We are currently in the process of coming out with our own hook line and are actively trying to solve this problem, model numbering and all! 😎🤙🏽

[@overthehillandoverthemount2925]

@@venturesflyco my suggestion would be get mustard hooks from back in the 70s before all the craziness happened and measure those hooks and keep that the standard.

[@venturesflyco]

Good suggestion! 😎🤙🏽

[@mdaley3102]

This was good. Personally I think there are too many hooks models out there. I think they could be pared down quite a bit and a better, standard numbering system should be created. Less styles that are very very similar from manufacturer to manufacturer would mean faster, cheaper production that would put more hooks on the racks for sale and restock would be quicker due to easier mfg.

[@dougfett9842]

What determines what the size of a hook is? I used to think that I understood it and that it was the gape that determines hook size but, as you explained, there are standard gape and wide gape hooks, so even that varies within a size. What is common among all of the various types of size 14, for example, hooks that makes them size 14 hooks?

[@venturesflyco]

Hey Doug. Great question. In an ideal world, the gap is supposed to be the determining factor for hook size… but as you said, different types of hooks have kind of messed that up. A standard hook is supposed to have a hook shank equal to twice the width of the hook gap. But its pretty rare (if possible) to find a hook that follows this rule. Long story short, with all the different brands and hook types… there is no longer any “standard” Hope this helps. Sorry we don’t have better news. Haha.

[@dougfett9842]

@@venturesflyco, thank you. I recently ordered some size 20 hooks. When I got them, I found that they much more closely matched my size 18 hooks than the size 20 hooks that I was running out of.

[@venturesflyco]

Yup. Definitely a common issue. Our team is working on trying to solve the problem. Stay tuned! 😎🤙🏽

[@glenndotter5065]

I've never had a fish tell me they wouldnt eat that hook.

[@venturesflyco]

Amen!

[@12345B]

Can you help me find a jig hook with .45-.48mm wire, 17-20mm length, gape doesnt matter too much 7-9mm is fine, , roughly corolating to size 10 and 8. I feel like there is nothing in this catagory :( I hate the fly tying industry in america, their terminology is relative and vague. I dont know how anyone can tie flies with product sold in america, the marketing is deplorable!

[@HalfInsaneOutdoorGuy]

long point and large gap. Thats what I look for when looking at hooks. I dont particularly care if there is a barb on it, I dont seem to land any more or less with or without one. I prefer no barb because I'm a dingus and regularly hook myself, my clothing, and my gear, and the barb is just there to wreck clothing. And apparently its better for the fish, but only if you dont have a clue how to get it out. And only weak sissy faced trout.