The right streamer hook

[fessiewig]

I've been fooling around with the idea of tying streamers in sizes 10, 12, & 14. I normally tie streamers on a 4xl hook. I like 4xl over 6xl (the standard for streamers #3665A) because I feel the 6xl gives the fish an advantage with leverage. Well, when I began thinking about the "mini" streamers (have you noticed the size of bait fish in your local stream? that's why.) I couldn't find anyone who made or sold a 4xl hook in size 10, 12, or 14. As it turns out the answer was right in front of my face all the time. When dealing in hook sizes for streamers that small a 3xl hook has great proportions and #9672 hook are available in the sizes I need and smaller. I'm now happily tying mini streamers. I'll let you know how I do with them.

[mer]

Micky Finn, size 10/12. Or think lightly weighted "baby buggers" in size 10/12.
Oh, my packages of 9672 say "nymph/streamer" on them.

:D

[fessiewig]

I'll have to check my 9672 boxes when I go home tonight. :D I've been tying small streamers with artic fox, although I'm not overly thrilled about the stuff right now.

[petegas]

hey fess-
i believe that beadhead, rubber-legged bugger i gave you was tied on a size 10 or 12 2or3XL curved nymph hook. i'll look up the model # when i get back up to NH after the holidays.

[fessiewig]

O.K. Thanks

[bridgeman]

I use #9671 for small streamers and buggers in size #8. This is a 2x hook. I think the larger hook gap makes for more solid hook-ups and less leverage for the fish,as you posted. The look of the thing is a little out of proportion but the fish do not care at all. This gives you a fly of about a #12 or #14 if it was tied on a standard streamer hook. A very simple and effective mini streamer I have used for years is, that hook,black thread,gold wrap on hook,sparse yellow marabou underwing with a barred wood duck rolled over the top. represents very small young of the year bait or a yellow stonefly emerger. No tail,collar or ribbing needed. A small black head represents an eye quite nicely. The movement of the underwing make the thing look alive The other benefit of a larger hook gap is the stability it gives to the fly. The lower center of gravity keeps the pattern upright. Small streamers want to spin in the current or when trolling. The bigger the hook gap the more resistance to spin. I often use this fly as a lightwieght dropper over a weighted point fly,like a stonefly nymph. I also troll it with a more colorfull streamer in a two or three fly rig in still water. The colorfull fly gets their attention and fish hit the fly that looks like food? Rainbows in clear water really love it.

[fessiewig]

Thanks. I'll give it a try. Ever fish the upper Ammonoosuc up by the hatchery?

[bridgeman]

When I was a kid,back in the stone age, I did my first stream fishing in that area. At that time it was called the Pipeline loop. It goes by the name of Bog dam rd now. At that time it was loaded with native trout. Six inch fish where the standard with a ten incher a trophy. The water was clear as gin and fish came to a dead drifted worm like it was their last meal. Back in those days it was a last meal because it wasn't long before they where side by side,dusted with flour and frying in butter in a big cast iron frying pan. To this day the best fish I have ever eaten. Today the streams in the headwaters are strangely empty of trout, at least where I have fished. The stocking truck drops a few at the bridges now and then and fishings ok for a week or two. I don't know if the problem is a ph or a fishing pressure issue. There maybe there is good fishing in the back country up one of the trails in the national forest. I'm not sure. I do know that the feeder stream to South pond is fishless. I heard that is was do to acid run-off during snow melt. This is across Rogers Ledge mountain in the same area of the Kilkenny range (Cold stream). With the Connecticut and Androscoggin 20 min away, its hard to justify fighting off the blackflies and moose for a maybe on a six incher. For others out in cyber land who want to explore its on page 48 blocks E,F-5,6 on my 1996 Delorme Atlas and Gazetteer. Not for the faint of hart, this is real woods, big swamps and big cuttings, good foot gear,map and compass are needed. DO NOT forget the bug dope.

[Owl's Roost]

Fessie,

Have you tried the Daiici 1750? It's 4X long, 1X Strong and comes in 4 thru 14. Now it's straight eyed which I prefer, but if you want a downed eyed 4XL take a look at Daiici 2220. It comes in sizes ranging from 1 to 14.

[fessiewig]

Thanks. Never heard of those hooks. I'll look around and maybe pick up a few.

[petegas]

hey fess-
i believe that beadhead, rubber-legged bugger i gave you was tied on a size 10 or 12 2or3XL curved nymph hook. i'll look up the model # when i get back up to NH after the holidays.
that would be the mustad 80050BR

[fessiewig]

Thanks Pete.

[flytire]

For future reference on streamer hooks

http://globalflyfisher.com/streamers/raske/hooks/hooks.htm

[overmywaders]

Norm,

Excellent reference. I noticed only a few Limerick bend hooks. Some believe the Limerick is more effective on short striking fish than the Sproat or Perfect because it places the point farther aft. And it looks better, IMHO, too.