Barbed Fly Tying Hooks

Barbed Fly Tying Hooks for Various Fly Patterns

Barbed fly hooks are the traditional choice for fishing flies, used by generations of anglers – our grandfathers and fathers alike. In recent years, they have been increasingly replaced by barbless alternatives, which offer several advantages and are now often required for catch-and-release fishing or in fly fishing competitions, where barbless hooks are the standard.

Nevertheless, nearly every reputable hook manufacturer still offers a wide range of barbed fly tying hooks, which remain popular among fly anglers targeting species such as pike, trout or saltwater predators.

The selection of hooks is extensive, and within fly tying materials, they are typically categorised based on their intended use – in other words, the type of fly pattern you plan to tie.

The most commonly used are straight shank hooks, suitable for tying dry flies, wet flies, and nymphs. Straight, long shank hooks are ideal for streamers or large nymph patterns, such as mayflies or stoneflies.

Hooks with a curved shank – often referred to as "shrimp" or "scud" hooks – are perfect for tying freshwater shrimp imitations, as well as a wide range of nymph larvae patterns.

In our online fly fishing tackle shop, we stock a wide selection of premium-quality barbed fly hooks, including renowned Japanese models by Gamakatsu and Scandinavian products by the highly respected brand Ahrex.