Hook Information

One of the most frequently asked questions I receive from my customers concerns the differences between the hooks available for the chironomids I tie. I offer two basic styles of hooks: scud hooks and curved nymph hooks, with a couple of options for each.  Here is a description of each hook:

Competition Scud Hook For competition fly fishing, hook designers have created hooks with extra-long needle points to penetrate the fish with minimal resistance. The hooks are also extra strong to resist bending, black nickel finishes for stealth, and wide hook gaps to prevent the fish from becoming unbuttoned.   Scud Hook This scud hook has a gold finish and is barbed. It has a nice curve and is very strong.   Barbless Curved Nymph Hook This nymph hook has a longer shank than the scud hook but a smaller hook gap. The longer shank and curve give it a nice gradual taper, making it a realistic representation of the natural. The hook has a barbless point for easier penetration and a black nickel finish for stealth.   Barbed Curved Nymph Hook This hook is the same as the barbless nymph hook but with a barb. Hook Sizing: The size of the hook is determined by the hook gap (distance from the hook point to the hook shank). However, because there is no true standardization between manufacturers, a size 12 in one brand or hook type may be a bit different from another. What is more relevant is the difference between the sizes of the same hook.   I will leave it to you to choose your preferred hook style. The most popular sizes I sell are 14 barbless curved nymph (or barbed)  and 12 competition scud (or the scud)