Much has been written in recent times about the virtues of using barbless hooks. I admit to being a staunch supporter of the use of barbless hooks, both for the fishing and the safety benefits. Typically, a fly tied for my own use, and very often for guiding, does not enter the jaws of my vice with a barb. Sometimes I flatten existing barbs with pliers. However, these days it is my preference to use manufactured barbless hooks. Either way, I value their presence under the flies I tie. What has not been written are things I have since learned via trial and error and my exposure to competitive fly-fishing where barbless hooks are mandatory. The European competition market, largely centered in the Czech Republic, is driving the technology of fly-tying to a new level, hooks included. For years, we in the United States have had only limited access to a few models of barbless hooks and they were always simply traditional hooks with the barbs factory-removed. However, today O. Mustad and Son, with it's acquisition of Partridge of Redditch, is making what I feel to be the finest domestically available barbless hooks. Partridge calls the line FlashPoint, and it covers a myriad of hook designs, both barbed and barbless . "When we analysed our trout range five years ago we realised that we did not have a good enough range of barbless hooks which were in increasing demand. The Czech Nymph technique was also getting more and more popular over here in Europe so we needed to get in there from the start. We contacted consultants through our network and got to work.," says Ole A. Bjerke, Marketing Director of the Partridge brand. Ole is the man behind the Flashpoint line, and took the time to help me with this article. The Flashpoint technology produces a hook with an advanced heat treatment for a stronger tempering and an advanced chemical sharpening that results in stronger, smoother points. In Ole's words, "The Flashpoint technology is a modern chemical process that gives a smoother finish on the hooks and a stronger point which will not fray. This was a problem with earlier chemically sharpened hooks." In addition, the Flashpoint line offers the other key ingredients indicative of premium hooks. Counterpart to Partridge's premium Flashpoint line is Mustad's Signature series of premium hooks. Both lines showcase a myriad of hook options to address then needs of all anglers and tiers. Both lines have more conventional barbed hooks, many of which I am very fond of. But for this article I am limiting the scope to the barbless hook technology of which I have become very interested over that past few years. First, let's take a refresher course on the value of using barbless hooks. I thinks it's important to your success and safety to realize there there are distinct advantages to using hooks without barbs. Of course there may be some instances where you'd prefer to keep the barb in tact, but for the most part I see no real advantage to a barb past the mandrel in the manufacturing process. The most obvious boon to using BL hooks is their ease in removal without further tissue damage, to both anglers and fish. Further discussion on this point would be redundant. The other shining point about BL hooks is that they penetrate fully far easier than barbed counterparts. Driving a barb through tissue and cartilage requires extra force that you may, or may not, be capable of delivering. The same hook, with the barb removed, will simply be a more effective and efficient device. The larger the hook, the more of an issue this becomes. These two reasons make the use of barbless hooks a sound recommendation. But as we begin to look deeper, and get past the mere use of BL hooks, we begin to encounter some technical issues. What I have learned is the most important feature of a barbless hook is the length of its point. For this reason premium manufactured barbless hooks are superior to traditional hooks with the barbs simply flattened. A long point is essential for dependable hook-holding, especially on flippity fish such as small trout and grayling. If the point is too short the taper coming off of the wire is abrupt, creating a large hole and allowing the hook to back out easily. A long point greatly reduces that taper and simply will not back out easily.
The next important criteria is the point itself. Many hook builders are now realizing the importance of modifying the point beyond just it's relative length. Partridge is ahead of the class there. Point modifications typically show by way of either a slight offset of the point only or a specialized accent to the point wire. No matter the alteration, special points are invaluable to keeping fish hooked when using slick BL hooks. Historically, we think of offset points as modifications to the wire angle as it comes off the bend. These days, hooks are being born with a more acute offset to the point originating at, or just past where the bard would have been located. These designs permit the offset to act like a barb. Likewise, some hooks forego an offset in favor of a specialization to the point wire such as a spade flare. It is my experience that the various offset style points found on the Partridge Flashpoint Authentic Czech Nymph (CZ), it's equivalent the smaller SHR (exact same hook, just denoting "shrimp" for a better connotation), the newer CZF ("F" denotes "Fine Wire"), and Surehold Dry (SLD and SUD) hooks simply hold fish the best. "At Partridge we have chosen to give the traditionally shaped BL hooks a slight inward point to give a better hooking and holding power. Some of the hooks also have a deeper gap. The belief is that this gives the fisherman greater peace of mind. As a consequence he will play the fish more gently."-Ole A. Bjerke
The final characteristic that I am beginning to find important is the shape of the hook's bend. A few companies are now marketing hooks with unique bends that allow the hook to achieve maximum penetration and holding ability. Partridge is using this feature in their awesome Surehold Lightning Dry (SLD) line of premium Flashpoint hooks. The SLD may be slightly awkward to look at when you first see them, but as the name implies, once you use them you will be a fan. Key to the SLD is the shape of the bend in conjunction with a long barbless point. Standard J-hooks are less than ideal for holding fish and I feel the main reason is that the round bend does nothing to deflect pressure exerted by a fighting fish. However, the SLD has a more prominent pocketed bend so that the bend itself also acts to hold the fish. I asked Ole about these designs:: "More and more are discovering the benefits of this point and shape. I am afraid that the science here is very basic and based on try and fail. There are many people out there that have excellent ideas as to what works and what doesn't. In this specific case we saw that this style worked well and were bold enough to give it a go. At Partridge we work closely with people that fish a lot and that have the drive too push boundaries. We try to assist as best we can to let them try out their ideas and share this with the rest of the fraternity. This work is demanding and we have limited resources. As you can imagine, we see many ideas that have already been tried. With a few hundred years with people trying to deceive the fish, most avenues and back roads have been explored. However with new technologies, occasionally, some new doors open up to new ideas! Watch this space! "
The entire line of Mustad Signature and Partridge Flashpoint hooks are true premium hooks starting with top standard Quality Control and ending at the ever- loved micro barb ahead of premium point technology. Within each line are classic hook designs built to premium specs as well as cutting-edge hook technology seen in new designs and finishes. Hook finishes are a compelling aspect of hook design. Ole Bjerke had this to say about hook finishes: "Colour preferences on hooks are very subjective and each fisherman has his preference. Tradition plays an important role here, many will not gamble when the yearly fishing trip is up. In some instances we want to stay with what exists in the market and is proven, on other instances we chose to give the fisherman the opportunity to experience something new and different. It is easier to give a new design a new colour as there is no previous comparison. The modern black nickel finish has grown in popularity and many believe it reflects the environment and blends in with the colours around. Others will say: when seen from below it would maybe not make a difference as the hook will be outlined against a bright background."As a guide, competitive fly angler, and commercial fly tyer I know how important the link between hook and fish really is. On your quest to get into the hallowed top 10% of anglers, it would behoove you to seriously investigate your hook options. As hook technology evolves, we are learning that "adequate" J-hooks can indeed be improved upon. Never fear, traditional hooks will continue to be the foundation of our angling and tying as they should. Partridge and Mustad also offer a wide selection of traditional hooks in their premium lines as well as other fine barbed specialty hooks. But I applaud Mustad and Partridge of Redditch for recognizing, and addressing, the needs of serious and competitive anglers worldwide. Hook evolution is a long and tedious affair based largely on trial and error. My discussion with Ole ended with this final quote: "I am sorry if I crushed an illusion of a laboratory with scientists around a huge fish tank with all species and a multi variety of hooks and shapes analysing the best take! " How many of us assume that is exactly how things are done? For me, I am comfortable with the good ole'-fashioned way of doing things. Tight lines! For more information on the hooks mentioned, please follow this link to the Partridge of Redditch Website. Look here for information on the Mustad Signature series of premium hooks. |
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