Chironomid Hooks?

_WW_ · Feb 21, 2023

What do you guys like?

tkww · Feb 21, 2023

My preference has been scud hooks--current choice is the Daiichi 1150 because of the up eye. But the 2xl curved seems to be most popular.

Dave Boyle · Feb 21, 2023

Firehole 718. Sticky, barbless and very strong. The sz 16 have been out for months. Avid have them but the good sizes are out or were every time I looked the past yr

Dave

Buzzy · Feb 21, 2023

Dave Boyle said:
Firehole 718. Sticky, barbless and very strong. The sz 16 have been out for months. Avid have them but the good sizes are out or were every time I looked the past yr

Dave

I like the Firehole 718's too (striaght eye). I also like Alec Jackson covert nymph hooks (down eye) and Maruto C40HW (Striaght eye, you can get them in Canada, not the US).

Jake Watrous · Feb 21, 2023

Kona BC2 are great scud hooks for chironomids and nymphs.

Not a huge fan of Firehole due to their hooks sizes being a complete mismatch with my size expectations. When I buy a #14 I don’t want a #10 labeled as a #14.

ABITNF · Feb 21, 2023

Maruto c40HW #18 is perfect.

Maruto c40HW Heavy Wire Curved Hooks

The Maruto c40HW hooks takes the longer shanked standard curved hook pattern to a new level with a heavier, stronger steel to which is applied a chemically sharpened point that grabs and refuses to let go. The black nickel finish adds a level of stealthiness not found in other more common...

ablazeinthenorthernfly.com

Dave Boyle · Feb 21, 2023

Jake said:
Kona BC2 are great scud hooks for chironomids and nymphs.

Not a huge fan of Firehole due to their hooks sizes being a complete mismatch with my size expectations. When I buy a #14 I don’t want a #10 labeled as a #14.

Yeah, I think this is why they’re out of 16s, really a 14. The AJ hooks are odd too as they’re off sized, e.g. 13, 15 etc.

Dave

Smalma · Feb 22, 2023

The last several years I have been experimenting with Daiichi # 1160 "the Klinkhamer Hook". Have been pleased with the hook-up rates and even better hooked to landed ratios.

Curt

_WW_ · Feb 22, 2023

ABITNF said:
Maruto c40HW #18 is perfect.

Maruto c40HW Heavy Wire Curved Hooks

The Maruto c40HW hooks takes the longer shanked standard curved hook pattern to a new level with a heavier, stronger steel to which is applied a chemically sharpened point that grabs and refuses to let go. The black nickel finish adds a level of stealthiness not found in other more common...

ablazeinthenorthernfly.com

View attachment 55182

I like something with a little bigger hook gap.

Smalma said:
The last several years I have been experimenting with Daiichi # 1160 "the Klinkhamer Hook". Have been pleased with the hook-up rates and even better hooked to landed ratios.

Curt

Are these "true" sized? They look to be wider gaped than the 200R style hooks.

After tying for a week or so on a lot of different hooks, (with more on the way) I have a few clear favorites so far;
Gamakatsu C12 Scud in #12 & 14
Hanak H310 BL Buzzer #12 - #16
And a surprise entry, Owner 5177-011 Mosquito Hook #10

I've got some others sitting here to try out and some others on the way. As I mentioned above I kind of favor the wider gaped hooks.

I have noticed that some I try to order are out of stock. Must be tying season!
Thanks for the replies...

Smalma · Feb 22, 2023

Yes they are wider gaped than the 200R, with a shorter shank and lighter wire.

I found that the 1160 is a sort of a hybrid between a scud hook and what has been more traditionally used (say a 1760). And I feel a better shank shape.

Curt