How to keep a fly fishing hook sharp

You can't catch fish with a dull hook. Follow these simple rules to keep your hook sharp.

--by Mark Waldin [http://www.flycatcherinc.com]

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Ceramic or diamond file

1. Hooks from quality manufacturers are sharp as a razor. Hooks are generally drawn and cut, ground to the proper shape and then chemically etched to increase sharpness. Make sure when you spend $2 on that fly that you are buying a quality hook! Some great hook manufacturers include Mustad, TMC, Eagle Claw and Daiichi.

2. Getting a sharp fly hook is easy. Keeping it sharp is another matter. Every time you drop a backcast onto a gravel bar, snag at root or rock, or catch a fish your hook is subject to damager. Check your hook frequently for sharpness.
   
   The standard for testing hook sharpness is to drag it across your fingernail at a 45 degree angle with barely any pressure at all. The hook should immediately dig into your nail. If it doesn't then it is dull and you need to fix it or replace it.

3. To sharpen a hook out on the water you can get a hone at almost any fly shop. You'll want a ceramic or diamond coated hone. Sharpen into the point, not away from it. Sharp the left, right and outside sides of the hook. Make sure you pass the thumbnail test before putting the fly back into action.
   
   Sharpening small hooks can be difficult on the water. For smaller hooks, try holding them in your hemostats. If your hook is too small to get a good honing, then swap the fly out for a new one and file it at home. If you carry a lot of flies, you may want to replace the flies in the field and wait until you are in the comfort of your home to file them.

4. Filing hooks at home is the same as in the field. The difference is that you can have good lighting, a place to sit and a clamp to hold the hook. A fly tying vice makes a great clamp for filing hooks (and if you tie flies or learn to it performs double duty). Most fly hooks are conical in shape but no matter what the shape it is good to maintain it when you file it. It is also good to try to maintain the existing taper. A hook that tapers to quickly will not be as sharp and one that tapers too slowly will bend and get damaged more easily.

Resources

• Flycatcher Custom Rods
• Flycatcher Fly Fishing Encyclopedia