What is your general opinion on Ad Swier pike fly hooks, how strong are they, is hook point sharp, are they easy to resharp and have you tried them with other species like big trouts, marbles, taimen etc.?

BlueOne

They're very fine wire hooks, good for penetration into a mouth full of teeth, but no good for hard fighting species, there's no way I'd use them for Taimen for example. In fact, I'd use them for Pike, at which they're very good if you can get them, and for nothing else.

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That's a shame, I've just bought a couple of boxes of these in a 6/0 size to make up some flies for marble/hucho.
You've had experience with big predator species like marbles and hucho? What hooks do you use? I've also gotten some big VMC jig hooks from a specialist Predator site I found (Sovereign Super Baits).

Thanks,
Steve

I use stainless steel - well that's what the packet says - "Aberdeen" hooks with the barb crushed for anything 6/0 to 4/0. Easier to get and cheaper than the Partridge Swier hooks that I have seen. I also prefer the stainless steel.

I'm afraid I haven't, but I have equipped people to do so. They are in essence a large salmon, so equip yourself as such. Big strong salmon hooks such as size 4 loop doubles, but before you go check as these fish are very slow growing so conservation is getting more important, so a lot of places are now insisting on single barbless hooks. My personal favourite manufacturer of strong singles would be Tiemco, although Gamakatsu ( is that spelt right?? ) are also very good.

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Personally I dont get on with the AS pike hooks.

I use Varivas Big Mouth hooks for pike flies - basically a superior quality Aberdeen type hook.

If you want really strong singles, probably the best available hook IMO is the Varivas 2600. I much prefer it to Tiemco 600 sp's for tarpon. Some Owner and Gamakatsu patterns are also okay.

Hope this helps.

For modern salmon singles I would go for the Alex Jackson Hooks ,I am dressing quite a few flys on them ,good stong hooks for hard fighting fish and easy to debarb!

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Andy Wren
Winter grayling taking a year off !
Claret not just a great dubbing colour!

Ad Swier hook fine wire???? They are a forged heavy pattern! Used them exclusivly for a few years until I got fed up with dropping fish..so now use either the Gamakatsu SC15 or the Big Mouths

I agree with what Garioch says (makes a change ) - I have also experienced dropping fish with AS hooks and since changing to Gamakatsu's no probs. They are also cheaper than the Ad Swier the only downside is you have to crush the barbs.

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@Squimp - I have never used (to be honest not even heard of) Varivas hooks, being as I am also on the look out for some decent Tarpon hooks, I am intrigued. You mention that the Varivas 2600's are strong but are they also sharp?

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