Balanced flies - pin vs Tyger

[Baiter]

For you stillwater guys who have tried balanced flies which style to you like to use-

add length/weight beyond the eye of the hook with a pin and bead or like this:

shown in this video

[Jojackc]

I'v always used the pin and bead. Cheaper, stronger, and less thread wrapping to do.

[lando]

I've always used a pin and tungsten bead too.

[Cactus Mike]

I spent some time at the Dakota Fly Shop when I was visiting MsMerize in Bismarck. I bought some silk and a few other odds 'n ends. I had no idea how great the people are and how much fun you can have. And N.D. itself is a great tourist destination. If you don't mind a little wind. Jan and I have very fond memories of the friends she made and of the city. And the snow, the wind, and below zero temperatures. I know, we are a little nutz.

Sorry to wander off track...yes, I too will be tying some balanced flies with those hooks and that leader as soon as I can get some. And soon after extolling their virtues, to be sure. It sounds great.

[DJones]

I heat the eye-end of a long-shank streamer hook and bend the shank/eye up, opposite of the jig hook; tie on the pin. Eye will be up, hook bend will be down. theory is that up bend hooks into upper jaw, close to nerves, more damage; down bend will hook into lower jaw and much healthier for fish. Makes me feel better at least.

[Jojackc]

Good idea Djones but I would think you are untempering the metal by heating it up and you are risking having the hook break with the other end still embeded into the fish.

[Dana Parmelee]

Balanced flies killed it at Pyramid

[DJones]

Originally Posted by Jojackc

Good idea Djones but I would think you are untempering the metal by heating it up and you are risking having the hook break with the other end still embeded into the fish.

Hasn't happened yet on rainbows up to 20+, not sure I would try it on salmon or very large strong fish. When the pin is wrapped down with thread I guess it reinforces it. Actually I bend the down-eye up straight on lots of midge hooks and never had one fail. It opens up the gape some for better hookups. Btw not all brands of hooks can be heated and bent, they just snap. Mustad and some other soft hooks bend easily. Some of the older Mustad hooks can be bent without any heating at all.

[Lineshooter]

Baiter, great Video going to add it to my favorites. I hope to tie this one soon.