Whats the best hooks for woolly buggers?

[DRYFLYPHIL]

Help anyone?

I'm interested in starting to tie flies, and I know woolly buggers are usually the easiest. I'm a little confused with the Hook shank lengths. Like whats the difference between a 2x & a 6x. Some hooks look longer then others. Most of the time when I purchased flies, I was just concerned with the hook sizes such as size 10 vs size 6.

But now when I'm interested in purchasing the bare hook hardware, there is more involved.

So, if anyone could help with information on streamer hook shank sizes & differences, and a possible suggested brand and model of such descriptions. I would really appreciate the help...............Phil

[Mark Patenaude]

There is no hard and fast rule for hook length/size. I think its a matter of personal preference. I wouldn't use a 6x long hook unless you are tying up some giants.

I like tying buggers on a Tiemco 5263. For trout I'll use sz. 6 and 8 for Salmon/Steelhead I'll use sizes 2 and 4 and may use a TMC 7999 salmon/steelhead hook. I prefer these hooks because of the shank length as well as being a 2x strong.

The length of the tail is equal to the length of the shank (measured from the back of the eye to the start of the bend). The body can be dubbed or any material you choose (chenille, larva lace, etc...). You may choose to hackle it sparse or heavy. Again, it a matter of preference. Materials and color combinations are limitless.

I would recommend weighting them from behind the eye to just before the bend with .020 or .025 for normal use and .030 or .035 for deeper/heavier water.

Mark

[DRYFLYPHIL]

Mark,

thanks for the requested hook information. There are many options and hook types out there, and your clarity on this subject should really help.

Thanks again...............Phil

[6wt]

Phil,

Glad to hear your going to start tying up some buggers. Pretty easy and a great feeling catching trout on a fly you tied. I also have used the Tiemco 5263 size 10. I'm no expert but give me a call and I can show enough to get you started.
Should be salmon fishing mon/tues. We should try getting back to the housy soon.
I've checked around and it seems that you really need a boat to fish Key West. I was hoping we could do some wading but doesn't sound like there are many to access.

[DRYFLYPHIL]

(6wt) Mike, whats up?

I've already tied a few buggers in a couple different styles. They actually came out pretty presentable. The unmarked hooks I used I already had, but I need to buy more. That WAS the confusing thing, because I've always been a dry fly guy. Dry fly hooks are pretty straight forward, but when we start talking Streamer hooks, there are many more options, sizes, shank length, and wire thickness to consider, so thats why I asked.

I took off from work last Wednesday & fly fished the mid section of the Housi with Richard. We got skunked! To HOT, but still a great day regardless.

I know your going, but have you been out for Salmon yet? I heard they are running pretty good?

Let me know when you want to fish the Housi again before the snow flies?

I'll look into the Tiemco 5263's

Thanks...........Phil

[6wt]

We went up last sunday and monday and fished the lower river. Tons of fish coming into the river, kings and cohos. Going back this coming mon/tue, if your interested call me. I'll need to check which room we have to see if it will sleep three.
Keep at the tying!

[DRYFLYPHIL]

As usual 6wt, thanks again for the invite.

Salmon FF this year may not workout for me because of different work & personal reasons. Maybe upcoming Steel Head, but I'll have to see.

You guys go Salmon FF almost every week, so you never know, I might jump on board sometime.

Hey! It sound like your following the Doctors orders!! I hope your condition is improving!!!! (LOL)

Yeah, this weekend is suppose to be a bit rainy off/on. I already have a few Buggers that I tied, but I'd like to tie a few more. I might go early down to the Housi to the spot that's always good for a few, and try them out.

GOOD LUCK on the Salmon..............Phil

[6wt]

......good luck if you go!

I might be the first to have gotton a scrip from a doc to fish more, he's a great guy!

Steelies right through spring, it's a blast!

[DRYFLYPHIL]

Mark & 6wt,

again thanks for the hook information & help that I was looking for. I actually purchased some streamer hooks from Orvis yesterday. They have some on-line that are on sale. They call them straight eye streamer hooks (item SI016725). They are $3.45 per package of 25, usually $5.75 per 25, so a couple $bucks off??

I actually did a on-line chat back & fourth with Orvis for the hook shank spec's because it wasn't listed, which they say are a 4X.
The Tiemco 5263's are 3x, so the Orvis hooks are slightly longer, but with my inexperience @ tying may make it easier. Regardless, I'm sure they will work OK.

So I ordered a couple packages of size 8 & 10's

[coffeecup1]

hey Phil,

I,ve tied the wooly on small and med. sized hooks personnal pref. I guess, but I,ve had some great fishing with,em give it a try can,t hurt
The Chesterfield Gorge is a great place to go, plenty of casting room and Fish. I,m up there often


eric

[hsweren]

Hi Eric,

We are having an informal get together Sunday the 17th at Wahconah Country Club from 1pm into the evening. The Housy river runs right through the golf course, so we will do some fishing and a picnic out on the river sometime around dinner time. A good time to meet other fly fishermen in the area.

Hope you can join us,

Henry

[AgMD]

I wish I had noticed this thread earlier.
I may have a bit to offer on the specs of hooks.
For any given style, streamer, dry fly, etc. and for any given size, say a #14, -- the hook will be of a given length and made of a given sized wire. A hook which is 2x long is as long as the next sized larger -- so our #14 - 2X long nymph hook is as long as a #12 but has the same bend and wire size as a normal #14. A 3X long #14 would be as long as a #10.
A hook which is 2X fine is made of wire sized for the next finer hook size. So a #14 - 2X fine is made of wire normally sized for a #16. A #14 -2X heavy would be heavy like a #12.
Within any given manufacturer the system seems consistent, but it doesn't hold up well when comparing hooks between different makers. Every maker seems to have it's own ideas so you may see different bends, wire size and lengths.
Arp. 17th -- I bought my Ma. lic. -- so I am stream legal.
AgMD

[DRYFLYPHIL]

Been buying tying hooks from this company lately. Rather reasonably priced, free fast shipping, as well as decent quality. Since this thread is current, just thought I'd pass it along.

www.allenflyfishing.com/collections/hooks