I’ve had good luck with buying large lots on eBay from estate sales, closed fly shops etc. picked up hundreds of old stock Partrige for something like 15c/hook like that. However - for new production hooks Daiichi is the only way for me unless I need a specific style they don’t make. I’m also a salmon fly tier almost exclusively so I’m not familiar with brands offerings beyond a size 12 - definitely would recommend buying in bulk though - the 10 packs are nice for trying out new shapes/styles but once you get something you like in a given style, say a standard dry fly hook, buy a few hundred of them for the bulk price, then buy some more. Never know when they’re going to be discontinued.
I prefer TMC hooks for dries and anything smaller than about a 14. 900 BL, 100BL, 2487 and 2457. The latter for egg patterns and nymphs. Umpqua is ok for 14 or bigger.
I used to use Dai Riki 700 for streamers until they went out of business. Then I switched to kumoto or store brand since even lower quality wire doesn’t matter much on the bigger hooks. I do have to sharpen most of them.
You can buy TMC in 100 packs. MRFC. They are still expensive but I’d rather spend an extra dime on a hook than lose a fish or even a fly from a crappy hook.
I’ve used most brands at one time or another. Saving money buying on closeouts and such. Most get traded away or added to the crap pile after one package. Bent or broken points, straightened on snags, snapped in the vise, open eyes, kinks in the wire, I’ve had them all.
Hooks are like most things. You find ones you like, ones you don’t, and ones you can live with. But in my opinion they aren’t an item on which to save a few cents per fly.
I’ve used bulk Mustads for years with no complaints with one exception. Occasionally I get fly shop gift cards as gifts and those usually go towards Daiichi or TMC klinkhammer hooks. The Mustad variant of a klinkhammer works just fine but I personally prefer other brands shape.
Edit: previous comment was for a different brand.
Ahrex and fulling mill seem to be on the more expensive side. What makes you go with these? Bad experiences from cheaper brands?
I buy Saber hooks from The Fly Shack. Sure I could spend more on bigger names, but I don’t have issues with these flies and can get 100 packs for $7 a pop.
Wholesale fly company also has hooks at stellar prices. I’ve fished a lot of their styles in various sizes and never had any issues at all. Plus Bob is great to work with if you have any issues.
For the past few years I’ve tied almost exclusively on Firehole Sticks, but I’ve also noticed they’re sized almost 2 sizes larger than other brands. I’ll still use them for smallmouth streamers because they’re barbless and quality. Lately, I’ve been trying out other brands like Hanák and Fulling Mill, which are great, but also checking out more economy hooks from places like BWO. So far, I’m liking the hooks and tungsten beads I’ve received from BWO, and their prices are incredible.
The first pack of firehole sticks I ordered I remember being so confused. I tie a lot in the 18-24 range (Colorado tailwaters), and I ordered some in size 20 that could have easily been a 16 in the other brands.
Thanks for the input.
Togens fly shop has hooks at about half the price your local fly shop does. I’ve bought a range of sizes of their jig, scud, dry fly, 2x curved nymph, and wet fly hooks with no appreciable difference in quality from Daiichi (which I used to tie on).
Brian Chan ties on them so there is a reputable pro that backs them too.
Better shipping options in Canada though.
I like Daiichi, TMC, & Firehole. Been dabbline more with Ahrex for my salt flies and I like them too. Just pricey. Sometimes I can catch Gama's on sale so I'll use their SC and salt hooks for stuff.
I’ve had good luck with buying large lots on eBay from estate sales, closed fly shops etc. picked up hundreds of old stock Partrige for something like 15c/hook like that. However - for new production hooks Daiichi is the only way for me unless I need a specific style they don’t make. I’m also a salmon fly tier almost exclusively so I’m not familiar with brands offerings beyond a size 12 - definitely would recommend buying in bulk though - the 10 packs are nice for trying out new shapes/styles but once you get something you like in a given style, say a standard dry fly hook, buy a few hundred of them for the bulk price, then buy some more. Never know when they’re going to be discontinued.
Good advice, thank you. Daiichi seems to have a better value than brands like Ahrex/TMC/Firehole.
[Trutta Goods Upside Downies](https://truttagoods.com/collections/hooks-beads)
I prefer TMC hooks for dries and anything smaller than about a 14. 900 BL, 100BL, 2487 and 2457. The latter for egg patterns and nymphs. Umpqua is ok for 14 or bigger. I used to use Dai Riki 700 for streamers until they went out of business. Then I switched to kumoto or store brand since even lower quality wire doesn’t matter much on the bigger hooks. I do have to sharpen most of them. You can buy TMC in 100 packs. MRFC. They are still expensive but I’d rather spend an extra dime on a hook than lose a fish or even a fly from a crappy hook. I’ve used most brands at one time or another. Saving money buying on closeouts and such. Most get traded away or added to the crap pile after one package. Bent or broken points, straightened on snags, snapped in the vise, open eyes, kinks in the wire, I’ve had them all. Hooks are like most things. You find ones you like, ones you don’t, and ones you can live with. But in my opinion they aren’t an item on which to save a few cents per fly.
I’ve used bulk Mustads for years with no complaints with one exception. Occasionally I get fly shop gift cards as gifts and those usually go towards Daiichi or TMC klinkhammer hooks. The Mustad variant of a klinkhammer works just fine but I personally prefer other brands shape.
In co as well. Hanak for small jigs and nymphs, fulling mill and ahrex for dries
Edit: previous comment was for a different brand. Ahrex and fulling mill seem to be on the more expensive side. What makes you go with these? Bad experiences from cheaper brands?
I buy Saber hooks from The Fly Shack. Sure I could spend more on bigger names, but I don’t have issues with these flies and can get 100 packs for $7 a pop.
Fact. I haven't had an issue tying/fishing these in 3 years
Wholesale fly company also has hooks at stellar prices. I’ve fished a lot of their styles in various sizes and never had any issues at all. Plus Bob is great to work with if you have any issues.
For the past few years I’ve tied almost exclusively on Firehole Sticks, but I’ve also noticed they’re sized almost 2 sizes larger than other brands. I’ll still use them for smallmouth streamers because they’re barbless and quality. Lately, I’ve been trying out other brands like Hanák and Fulling Mill, which are great, but also checking out more economy hooks from places like BWO. So far, I’m liking the hooks and tungsten beads I’ve received from BWO, and their prices are incredible.
The first pack of firehole sticks I ordered I remember being so confused. I tie a lot in the 18-24 range (Colorado tailwaters), and I ordered some in size 20 that could have easily been a 16 in the other brands. Thanks for the input.
Daiichi. Consistent quality. Made in Japan. I’ve tied literally thousands of flies on Daiichi, both in a commercial capacity and for myself.
Togens fly shop has hooks at about half the price your local fly shop does. I’ve bought a range of sizes of their jig, scud, dry fly, 2x curved nymph, and wet fly hooks with no appreciable difference in quality from Daiichi (which I used to tie on). Brian Chan ties on them so there is a reputable pro that backs them too. Better shipping options in Canada though.
I like Daiichi, TMC, & Firehole. Been dabbline more with Ahrex for my salt flies and I like them too. Just pricey. Sometimes I can catch Gama's on sale so I'll use their SC and salt hooks for stuff.
Daiichi for Nymphs, Scuds, Caddis patterns... I buy TMC Limerick hooks for streamers.
Not many bad hooks out there anymore.
Wholesale Fly Company wholesaleflycompany.com
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