Many anglers tout the effectiveness of using red hooks in their fly patterns. While there appears to be some science behind it, I’m not a red hook fanatic; nor am I a foe. I don’t know if or why red hooks add some attractor qualities to flies or not. I’ve caught fish on them and I’ve caught just as many fish on bronze, blue, or black hooks. But as a tenkara angler who is dedicating himself to tying mostly simple flies with only two or three ingredients, different colored hooks are a nice way to add some diversity to the aesthetics of my tying (whether for me or the fish, I don’t know). Anyway, here are a few patterns I’ve tied on red hooks that you might find interesting if you’re looking to add some different dimensions to your tenkara fly tying.
Hook: Hareline red scud hook #12
Thread: Uni 8/0, gray
Hackle: Whiting brahma cream badger
Body: Thread
Hook: Hareline red scud hook #12
Thread: Uni 8/0, black
Hackle: Partridge
Body: Thread
Hook: Hareline red scud hook #12
Thread: Uni 6/0, white
Hackle: Ringneck pheasant
Body: Thread
Hook: Hareline red scud hook #12
Thread: Uni 8/0, black
Hackle: Amherst pheasant
Body: Black thread
Of course, there are a million color combinations you could try on red hooks; and you don’t have to limit yourself just to red. That just happens to be the color du jour. Today, many manufacturers offer hooks in a veritable rainbow of colors compared to what I used to have available to me in my early tying days. It’s a good time to tie. And it’s amazing how just substituting something as simple as hook color can breathe new life into familiar patterns as well as your benchside creativity.
Damn it Jason! I’ve got probably 2000 hooks at my tying station and none of them are “Red”. I’m not completely sold on the fish attracting qualities, it’s just that your flies look really cool with the red hook. I really like the looks of the Partridge and black and the Brahma and grey. Those will work just fine! Take a guess where I’ll be headed this weekend. Creative Sports Fly Shop must love me.
JD
JD, only 2,000? You need to run out and get more immediately!
Sorry, but i’m not yet convinced. We’ve tried this as we know the value of hot spots. However, we’ve also found that generally flies with hot spots at both ends don’t work as well as those with the spot at only one end. The colored hooks tend to give the impression of pseudo hot spots at both ends. I’ve formed a view that I’d rather use dull colored hooks and, where desired, add micro hot spots with 8/0 instead.
If you want to test colors though, el cheapie nail polish on the hook can be used effectively, even creating the spot or coloring the whole hook. Means you can use existing hooks or even flies and try for yourself.
No apologies necessary Craig. As I said in the post, I’m not convinced either. I catch just as many fish on bronze hooks and don’t see much of a difference. If anything, to me it just adds variety to my tying. But you make an interesting point about one vs. two “hotspots”. Do you think that the reason for that is that one stands out more and two kind of detract from each other?
i use red and gold hooks for streamers and they seem to make a notable difference.
but i’m the same guy that thinks glow in the dark seed beads catch more fish at dusk and dawn.
nice ties.
Those are some nice looking flies. The red hook with the pheasant hackle and white thread looks like a work of art! Perfect combo of beauty and functionality. 😀
I used the red hook with partridge & black at Stone Mountain Park NC. Caught a couple of nice rainbows with it.
I was just looking at red hooks the other day wondering how they’d work on flies.
Rick, oh, they definitely work! Plus, it gives you the chance to get creative with different color combinations.
I find that flies tied on red hooks are particularly effective in winter.
Hmmm, interesting Erik. I guess I haven’t tested that. Any theories as to why? Low/cold water?