Do you tweek your hooks?

[FlySmyth]

I saw some hooks the other day that had a degree of "off set" to the point with relation to the hook eye. Why? and can I do that to the hooks I already have without weakening them?

FlySmyth.

PS Please forgive the question if it is covered in "The Manual."

[Crosby]

Hook setting properties- certain hooks you can weaken by doing this- others are ok- there is a large mustad #4 thin wired hook- I am sure it is a warm water species hook that I use for foam stone flys- I tweak it off center- really has increased my hook ups with foam- it also could be that it has the gap of a gaff hook.

[fish-hunter]

I used to sell specialty steel for a living. I can tell you that bending the hook will weaken it to some degree, but I don't think opening the gap a bit on a small guage hook is a huge deal. If you were tying for a Steel - Head trip, I would say no, don't do it. For these trout around here, I wouldn't think you'll see a huge difference. I know from experience that when a fish straightens a hook out and then you try to salvage it by putting a little bend back, that it has substantially weakened it.

Marden 12 let me borrow a Grey Scud from him on the Green a few years ago. It had a bit of rust on it, from his numerous swimming adventures. I lost a truly huge fish, due to the hook breaking. Thanks again Marden!

I don't have one of those manuals either. You would think with all the rods I have been running through Cheech that he would at least let me look at it!:)

[Stoney Clarke]

I usually tweek my small midge flies, those in the 20-26 range. Usually down and off center to increase what was a small gap. Since doing that I miss less strikes and land more fish.

SC

[Ouzel]

but I start with #18's.

[Kevin Conlin]

I open the gapes of Stimulators and other hackle-bodied flies for better hook-ups. Makes a big difference with smaller flies tied with oversized body hackle. Trimming the hackle also helps.

[Drake]

I don't tweek my hooks, but from what I have been reading I am going to start testing it out.