Best way to tie small flies for big trout?

[roll cast]

I have been tying small flies 18-22 but the last time I tied them and took them for a test at my local stillwater I had plenty of rises to it but when I got my timing right and hook one the hook straightened on me and the fish got off. So I'm think on tying the smaller patterns on larger hooks and just leaving at gap between the head of the fly and the eye of the hook. Whats your thoughts.

Thanks
AL

[danielp]

Were you striking? If so that will probably be why the hook straightened. Fishing small flies is frustrating and i nearly always straighten a few by being over excited, you should try to tighten on a fish and not strike. I think the small hook will penetrate the mouth so easily a strike is pretty much unnecessary.

[fredaevans]

Have to agree with Dan's thoughts above,using summer run Steelhead as the target fish here on the Rogue River. As the water flows go down, so does the size of the fly on the business end of the fly rod (including 2-handers).

Not unusual to be down at a size 10-14 size hook; these puppies just won't take a 'strike' and survive. Just raise the rod tip and let that thin wire 'do it's thing.'

fae

[roll cast]

I 'm using mustad hooks could these be the problem also could my 8wt rod be too stiff possibly.

Not sure.
AL

[sweenytodd]

Originally Posted by roll cast

8wt rod be too stiff possibly.

Not sure.
AL

Got it in one .

[darwin]

Originally Posted by roll cast

I 'm using mustad hooks could these be the problem also could my 8wt rod be too stiff possibly.

Not sure.
AL

Hey Al
I agree with the others. The largest trout I have ever landed was over 30" on a size 26 TMC 2488 and a #4 rod using 7x fluorocarbon.
Use a gentle hand, its not a winch. I have broken off on the tippet but never straightened a hook (unless it was on my vise)

[roll cast]

Thanks for the help just seen the rods actually a 7 wt bu the hooks maybe the problem I managed to bend about 4 of the in a row while tying on them so I going to try some tied on some Kamasan hooks I have and see if it makes any difference. Will also try and be gentler(sp.) when trying to land them as well. Might use some of the old shock mono I have to make some slightly stretchy leaders to try.

Thanks
AL

[danielp]

Most of my small flies are tied on Tiemco 103BL or Varivas 2120WB hooks. In my opinion they are great and i have landed some clunkers on them. As each session on small dries passes I am learning to control myself as that tiny speck of CDC is sipped down and not just run backwards whilst striking repeatedly like it was a 2000lb marlin lol. All i do is gently lift the rod tip and pull down with the line.

Which kamasan hooks do you have in those sizes? Are they some of the coarse hooks? Seemed to think Kamasan did not make tiny ones

Dan

[roll cast]

I have some packets of there small coarse hooks think their called animal hooks but will see about getting some tmc hooks or think fullingmill does a range f small hooks.

AL

[squeeks]

Originally Posted by danielp

As each session on small dries passes I am learning to control myself as that tiny speck of CDC is sipped down and not just run backwards whilst striking repeatedly like it was a 2000lb marlin lol. All i do is gently lift the rod tip and pull down with the line.

Totally agree! After a few problems last year with bending 103BL's, I've finally sussed this out and am starting to catch some nice rainbows on #19 103BL CDC/elk comparaduns. It's really hard to NOT strike! Tighten, and then just ease the confused looking fish in without them realising they are actually hooked. They can be landed surprisingly quickly, and the fish swim away happily afterwards without keeling over.
Every now and then though they go mental and you end up with a bent hook