I was fishing this weekend on one of my favorite tailwater sections and hooked a stud of a rainbow on a size 20 zebra midge. Mid fight, the line went slack. When I got my flies in, the hook had straightened out. I’ve fished a ton of these midges this winter and I’ve landed several nice trout, but this was a first for me. That being said, are there size 20 hooks you guys trust more than others?
Your a young man. Someday your eyes are going to fail for fly tying. I've said this many times. I use extra short, extra heavy, wide gap hooks. Trout don't seem to care and go for it just as well as lighter hooks. You'll be pleasantly surprised it you give them a try.
You may want to try a Tiemco 3769 size 16. It has the gap of a size 16 but the length of a size 20. It's also 2X heavy. I use it on most of my Putah creek flies. it was suggested to me by a former Putah Creek guide after I complained about losing a lot of fish.
I just remembered the fly tying page on here that gives all of these tips that you guys just posted. If only I had of listened to the wisdom on that page when I had first read it...ha ha ha. I guess you live and you learn.
I just wanted to let you guys know that I listened to your advice And it paid off big time. I hooked this brown yesterday on a size 20 zebra midge. I wouldn’t have landed it without the hook recommendation. Thanks for being willing to share some of your wisdom with the rest of us.