Hook Selection
NOTE:Hook size is determined
by the hook gap, not by the length of the shank. Hooks will come in different bend styles,
shank lengths, wire thickness and eye shapes. The styles above will do for over 90% of
flies tied for trout fishing.
4xlong streamer hook: Woollybuggers, Muddlers, Clouser Minnows, Bucktails,etc.
2xlong nymph hook: Hare's Ear, Pheasant Tail, Wet Flies,Pupa, Mayfly Nymph etc.
Standard dry fly hook: Caddis, Cahills, Adams, Thorax, Terrestrials, Parachutes, etc.
1. Hook size #: Hook sizes range start from size 32 to 0 with the higher the number, the smaller the hook gape. However, when you go over size 0 (1/0 to 10/0), the higher the number the bigger the hook gap. For example, a 2 is bigger than 6, but a 2/0 is smaller than a 6/0.
2. 4x long: Refers to length of hook shank. A 4x long size14 would be a hook with a size 14 hook gap and the shank length of a standard size 10.
3. 2x fine wire: Refers to thickness of the hook. For example, a 2x fine wire size 14 would have the same thickness as a standard size 16. Conversely, a 2x heavy wire size 14 would have the thickness of a standard size 12.
Note: These three variables are the most important to consider in selecting the proper hook. There are many other differences (eye style,bend style,barbs,metal coatings and alloys)
Fly Proportions | Hooks | Dry | Wet | Streamers | Nymphs | Midges | Terrestrials