Some hook questions.

[FlySmyth]

Question #1,

I can see why a guy wouldn't want to tie dry flies with a nymp hook (although I have a time or two because I wasn't paying attention) but why can't you tie nymphs with a "dry" hook? I know nymph hooks are heavier but I am weighting them down any way.


Question #2,

When do you use the variations in hooks? I mean I bought hooks before I realized there were any differences so I have hooks that are 3xL and 2xHeavy and...

I ask because I would like to minimize my hook library.

Thanks in advance.

Ken.

[Larry S.]

Gary Lafontaine said he tied all his nymphs with dry fly hooks 'cause he liked the hooking quality better. Like you say you can always weight them. Besides, it looks like you will have some Wolley Bugger hooks now and if I remember right the Chernobyl Ant was first tied on the hook you described.

Hang onto them. You'll never know when you will need them.

[flyty]

"I know nymph hooks are heavier but I am weighting them down any way."

Remember, if there was one fly or one hook that worked the best, when you went into a flyshop there would be only one fly for sale and one type of hook.

"When do you use the variations in hooks? I mean I bought hooks before I realized there were any differences so I have hooks that are 3xL and 2xHeavy and...I ask because I would like to minimize my hook library."

Sorry, it doesn't work that way. Hooks are like fly tying materials--you accumulate them very fast. Recipes call for certain hooks just like they call for certain materials. You can change the materials or hooks as you desire. Will the pattern not work if you use a different material? Will the pattern not work if you use a different hook? Who can say.