When we first started getting requests for Firehole Sticks I wasn't overly excited about it. I didn't like the name, ...
When we first started getting requests for Firehole Sticks I wasn't overly excited about it. I didn't like the name, they are made in China, and people requesting them hadn't really used them yet just saw them on pattern recipes they liked. But when the boss tells you to put in a call for a new product you don't argue you just do it... and so begrudgingly I did.
Joe Mathis at Firehole Outdoors is one of those guys that you can tell cares about the product he is putting forth, and the end consumer that will be using it. He keeps the cost of his hooks somewhat lower by packaging them in packs of 36. Also by setting all hooks at the same price he can help offset the costs of producing larger hooks and in turn passing the savings onto the end consumer. This is a nice change from the bigger names out there that can seem to nickel and dime the consumer by lowering the quantity of hooks per pack or by raising the price. While I understand certain hooks cost more to produce than others the end consumer typically ends up paying substantially more than the actually cost to produce.
Comparing them side by side.
The Firehole 315 is strikingly similar to the Daiichi 1160 and I highly doubt that is a mistake. Daiichi 1160 are great for Klinkhammers and tyers readily use them for nymph patterns. That being said I have personally tied on quite a few of both and here are my thoughts. Daiichi 1160 is a slightly thinner and lighter hook than the 315. Making the 1160s easily the better option for dry flies. That being said the 315s make a great nymph hook. It is heavier so they will sink a bit faster, they also hold in the vise better and one can really pull hard on these hooks when tying without them bending or breaking. They also feature a larger gap which makes setting the hook much easier. Finally (and probably my favorite feature) is they are freaking sharp AND barbless. One thing I hate about pinching barbs is that typically dulls the hook requiring them to be sharpened. Not the case with the 315s, making them easier on the fish and on you should you accidentally stick one in yourself. Given that we have incredibly competitive pricing on Daiichi hooks, the 1160s will still be one of the most economically options at $0.186 per hook while the Firehole 315 is $0.201 a hook. That being said I am much more confident using the Fireholes for my nymphs (especially when fishing for steelhead) than I am the 1160s.
Gamakatsu's B10S has long been a favorite along streamer fisherman for is straight eye and larger gap. They do make a nice hook, however, Firehole has somewhat redesigned these for what I feel is a superior hook. First off after tying a set of dumbbell eyes on a B10S you feel considerable movement on the shank of the hook which has always made me a bit nervous. Firehole 811 are made a bit heavier and have less movement in the vise. They are barbless which is personally a big plus for me, and while the pictures don't really show it, the gaps on the 811s are larger than the B10S. I not only like these for my streamers, but also for some traditional steelhead patterns. Finally the price difference, a single B10S will cost you between $0.316 and $0.258 per hook, while the Firehole 811 will run $0.201 no matter the size.
The Daiichi 2220 has long been the classic streamer hook on the market. It is the one we use on a lot of our streamers and works extremely well in many situations. However, every year during the fall we undoubtedly get a call from a Great Lakes Steelhead fisherman stating a hook has straighten on a steelhead. This is due to the longer shank vs a smaller gap and a prolonged fight against the fish. Firehole did a couple things to help counteract that. One they shorten the shank a bit, two they made the gap large, and three they made the hooks heavier. While the hooks do take some tying adjustments behind the vise to get the proportions correct (shorter shank means a slightly shorter body) the end result is great especially when targeting larger fish. Cost wise a Daiichi 2220 will run you between $0.25 and $0.20 depending on hook size, Firehole 839 are still running you $0.201 a hook.
The Stragglers
The last couple of hooks we currently carry are the Firehole 516 (a jig hook) and the Firehole 413 (short shank terrestrial hook. Firehole 516s really need a slotted bead to be tied right, however a standard tungsten bead will work. These are great for creating heavy nymph patterns you want close to the bottom but are worried about getting hung up. They naturally sink with your hook point facing the surface, reducing the amount of snags. Firehole 413s are great for creating terrestrial patterns or extended bodies where you want a larger gap and short shank. Quite similar to the hooks used on J:Son flies. Both models are heavier than other models out there, and barbless.
While we all have our preference of hooks it is safe to say converting from one brand to another can be difficult to do. After all your current brand is trusted, caught many fish, and lets face it after spending all that time creating your fly, the last thing you want to do is get out to the river and realize its tied on an inferior hook. While these are made of China don't let the Dia-Rikis of your early tying days write these hooks. They surely have a place on my bench and we will be adding a larger selection of hooks as fishing seasons start cooling off and tying time starts heating up. Next time your looking to change up a pattern give a Firehole Stick a try, we highly doubt you will be disappointed.
