Firehole Sticks 516 Barbless Fly Tying Hooks

The Firehole Sticks 516 Barbless Fly Tying Hooks are a heavy jig style hook with a 60 degree bend at the eye. I often omit a bead and tie emerger patterns on this hook.

This is a standard length hook with a 1X gape. It has a 60 degree down eye and is formed from a heavy weight wire.

Firehole Sticks are packaged in a polypropylene plastic box (2.4" x 1.8" x 0.6") which is designed so that boxes can be connected together side-by-side for storage purposes. Each box contains thirty-six (36) individual hooks, unless otherwise noted. Each box is labeled front and back. The front label indicates the hook model, size, shape and sizing descriptors.

Specifications
Sizing

Generally speaking the hook sizes are comparable to “standard” industry sizing. While standard industry sizing is debatable depending on who you talk to, most standard length dry or nymph hooks have comparable shank lengths and gapes.

Shank Length

Firehole Sticks personal design criteria adhered very closely to these standards. For instance the 419 is comparable in length to a Tiemco 100. The non-standard shank lengths of Firehole Sticks are referenced as long (L) or short (S). The numerical indicator (1X, 2X, 3X, etc.) references a standard hook size 1, 2, or 3 times longer or shorter. For example the 633 is a 1XL hook so, a 633 #12 has a shank length comparably equivalent to a “standard” #10 hook. Likewise, the 413 is a 2XS hook so, a 413 #16 has a shank length comparably equivalent to a “standard” #20 hook.

Gape

Gape size is referenced in a similar fashion as that of shank length, Gape sizing is referenced with a (G) and uses a numerical indicator (1X, 2X, 3X, etc.) as well, which references a standard hook size 1, 2, or 3 times larger. For example the 637 is a 2XG hook so a 637 #18 has a gape comparably equivalent to a “standard” #14 hook.

Characteristics

All Firehole Sticks are formed with a wire diameter which is a slightly heavier gauge than what would be considered “standard.” The wire for each hook is high strength carbon steel which is then tempered through a process which ensures flexibility while maintaining high strength. Many of the hooks are also forged which adds an additional level of strength to the hook. Each hook is chemically sharpened. All hooks have a black nickel plating.

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