Hook comparison charts are at best fickle or at worst too confusing and inaccurate to use. It is critical to remember that this chart does in no way list equivalent hooks but attempts to list hooks based on similar applications. Far too many variables exist today to compare hooks in any other way. Even with this in mind individuals will undoubtably find comparisons that they will disagree with. Much of the variation that exists is mainly due to the fact that little, if any, standardization exists today within the hook manufacturing fraternity. A clear example is a hook labeled as 4 XF on the Redditch scale is comparable to the same hook listed as 1-2 XF on the Mustad scale. In addition to that, steel quality will cause shank diameter to vary causing the above scales to be further skewed.
A careful read of both Stewart’s Hook Book and Martin’s Micropatterns would go a long way to helping the fly tier in understanding the subtleties of hook manufacture and classification. I am indebted to these authors for advancing my personal understanding of hook evolution and manufacturing.
When accessing hooks of like application an attempt was made to correlate the Redditch scale to the Mustad scale based on physical dimensions such as shank wire diameter and length, hook weight and in some cases hook gape. Though it required several months to complete this chart it is very possible that a hook model has been missed and not listed appropriately. Should this be the case be assured that it was not an intentional omission. Finally, I believe hook charts of this type will soon disappear. This will be due to the fact that fly tiers will align themselves with a favorite hook manufacturer and comparisons will only serve an academic interest. Most major manufacturers already ensure they produce specialized hooks produced by their competition.
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