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aka Understanding Hooks

Related topics:

	Selecting the right hook Correct placement of the hook in a vice Mechanics of a hook Winding thread onto a hook

Whilst a hook is fundamental to fly tying its surprising how many people muddle through without really understanding the terminology. Throughout this web site I have used terms to describe types of hooks, positions on hooks, parts of hooks etc. and the purpose of this post is to ensure you understand what I am referring to. Hopefully the photos will help.

Hook Size:

Hooks are generally described by a cross hatch (#) and by a number or combination of numbers (e.g. 1 or 24). The larger the number the smaller the hook. When the hook size is greater than #1 then it is described as 1/0, 2/0, 3/0 etc but this time for some indescribable reason a 3/0 is larger than a 1/0.

The 'X' factor:

You will often see hooks described as being 1X or say 3X. In recent years I have seen this terminology relating to the the proportion of the shank to the bite of the hook when X is the length of the shank in relation to the width of the gape of a basic hook. Unfortunately I have never found one of those mythical 'basic' hooks. The alternative application of the 'X' factor, which I apply,  is used to describe the proportion of the shank to the bite of the hook when X is the length of the shank in relation to the width of the gape of the hook. So a standard dry fly hook may be described as 2X meaning its shank is twice the length of the width of its gape. Carrying the analogy further a 4X hook would be quite a long hook with its shank being four times as long as its gape is is wide.

Description of a hook

A	There are many parts to a hook and the picture opposite will help you identify them.

Positions on hooks

A	Throughout this web site you will see references like: 'commencing at the 95% position' 'wind the thread to the 3/4 position' This slide will help you understand just where those and other positions are.

B	Perhaps the hardest terminology to understand in fly tying is 'wind the thread to the bend of the hook'. On a hook such as that described opposite that point is the intersection of the shank and the bend.

C	For grub hooks determining that point is much harder and definitely changes from fly tier to fly tier and from fly recipe to fly recipe. My advise for grub hooks is to target a position directly above 2/3 of  way along the bite of the hook.

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