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General Tying question, re: hook eyes

2K views 3 replies 3 participants last post by  Penguin 
#1 ·
What effect does the orientation of the hook eye have on fly action? What are the main differences between eyes that bend down (toward the bend side) and straight ones?
I've been getting more into tying lately, where roughly half of what I use I tie myself. I've never paid much attention to hooks except for size and material. I wonder if I'm missing something in this regard. There is such a huge variety.
 
#2 ·
Down eye hooks provide a very good direction of pull regarding the hook shank to tippet orientation, and thus make for good hooking flies. The straight eye hooks, have a direction of pull that is exactly in line with the tippet and provide for a larger effective hook gap (or gape); thus, providing better hooking with small hooks (#18 and smaller) or when bulkly body matierial (think spun deer hair) reduces the effective hook point to body distance.
 
#4 ·
IMHO...

A clinch knot will restrict while a loop will allow free movement...
The tippet connection will greatly determine the end result...
 
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