With all the craziness going on currently with tariffs and imports, and the push to buy American products (not trying to go in politics here, so stay on task) why is there no love for Eagle Claw Hooks? Specifically for fly tying. They are made here in America, have stainless or saltwater coated hooks, along with various shank lengths and sizes. The prices are extremely reasonable and seem like a great alternative to the old 34007 at the least. At any rate, I’ve got some ordered so maybe I’ll learn why the hard way, or perhaps I’ll be pleasantly surprised. Just figured I’d throw it out there.
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Seems like any hook would work. When I’m
new to something I tend to follow the crowds, at least at the beginning. I do agree rhe hooks we use can border on ridiculous when it comes to price! Looking forward to your “experiment “
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@rovster i’m guilty in that aspect as well. Most times there’s a reason why certain products are popular beyond the fad items of course.
Saw a post about this on that other site because I asked a similar question. I’m paraphrasing but the sentiment stayed with me.
Anyway, when we throw bugs, we are already at a disadvantage. No question we get less shots than other methods (live bait, artificials, etc). Some travel half way around the world to throw a bug at a fish. Why would you use a mediocre hook and leave any advantage on the table when your shots are limited and your chances of hooking up are significantly at a disadvantage. If using a “premium” hook will give you even a slight advantage on that once in a lifetime opportunity, why not take it for an extra buck? Anyway, you get what I mean…
Anyway, that stuck with me(haha pun intended 
)
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I use a ton of eagle claw hooks on Clousers and crabs! Stainless great affordable hooks!
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Used eagle claw Billy Pates L067S until I ran out. Came in packs of 100 and worked well and were reasonably priced. Can’t find them anymore
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I fished them for a while but after the premium pre-sharpened hooks came out it became hard for recreational guys.
I’ve fished some larger sizes of the 254ss for pelagics and they are good hooks also. You have to put a good point on them though.
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I used to get free eagle claw hooks with the cane poles when I was 5
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Some fish it won’t matter, but for fish with very hard mouths it can make a big difference. Tarpon is a big example. If you are fishing in the Keys, you will not, unless you are one amazing fisherman with a lot of experience, get a lot of bites from tarpon. If you get half a dozen bites a day (due to the pressure on them) you are doing pretty good. I’ve read some estimates that out of 6 hookups you might get 2 solid hookups because it’s so hard for the hook to be in the right place and to penetrate deeply enough to hold. My guide has experimented endlessly with hooks and settled on Gamakatsu’s and one other, which I’m not going to reveal out of respect for his hard won knowledge. When I’m on his boat using his flies, my hookup ratio is typically around 80%+. That’s a great hookup ratio, I tend to land a lot of fish with him. When you are spending $900+ per day for a guide, $250 a day for lodging, and another $300 a day for your family to be entertained while you fish, spending a little more for hooks that perform better is a no brainer. I do use Eagle Claw for fish that are easy to hook up, from largemouth bass to stripers to bluefish, etc.
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