Hooks: up, down, or straight

[Jason]

For dry flies, what type of hook eye do you prefer? I know there's a few opinions out there but what really are the benefits of each? What do the hook manufactureres say? Just looking for repsonses from others.

[jdubya]

size 18 or larger, down. for 20 or smaller, flat. they just sit better on the water.

if you tie a size 14 goddard caddis on a flat eye, the tippet has enuf weight to pull the fly down from the front, tipping the rear up in the air (like a skunk). but if you use a down turn eye, the weight of the tippet is not so heavy, and the fly floats flatter on the water.

the opposite is in effect with a size 22 quill midge: the fly and eye of the hook is so close to the water a down turn eye would cock the fly, head up in the air: a flat eye keeps it level.

ain't physics grand!

[Curtis Fry]

jdub, that is an interesting take on things. Seems like you've looked into this before. I've actually wondered myself which style floats best. I think I might have to use this "scientific study" as an excuse to fish some more. ;)

[Drake]

IMO

I think that a down eye closes off the hook in scud hooks and smaller hooks. I bought some ABI, up eye, scud hooks from Dennis and love them. Just don’t try to tie a parachute with this hook.

Take a look at a down eye scud hook. There isn’t much area there to hook a fish, especially when you get to an 18. Even a standard 22 down eye…, it is pretty closed off.

I think up eye’s are great for nymph’s and some dry flies. Straight are great for nymph’s and most dries.

The BIGGER the hook, the less of a problem you have with a down eye closing it up.

[Utah DaveII]

I've never really though of which type of eye I prefer. Although I did buy some big eye hooks after the orvis presentation the other day.

[stout_trout]

For streamers, this hook can't be beat.

Straight eye, 3X heavy, 4X long.
it's great for clousers, buggers, zonkers....I love the size 2.