Hooks

We have used and tested Togens hooks now for several months before offering them in our store. Togen offers a very wide range of hook types and sizes which we will evaluate based on several criteria. We'll lead with the manufacturer's description and follow with our observations.

"Togens hooks are made of premium high-carbon steel, hardened for strength and durability, providing a long point life and an extremely strong hook. Togens hooks use a constant taper. This provides a reliable shape, assuring no weak spots, and provides a shocking speed of penetration."
 

• QUALITY

We have found these to be excellent quality hooks and true to the manufacturer’s descriptions and specifications. The manufacturing process seems to meet or exceed industry standards. The hooks are strong, finish is clean and smooth and sizing is very consistent within the product lines. The eyes are consistently and nicely formed and the points and barbs are sharp and strong.
 

• SIZING    

As with all manufacturers slight variations may exist when comparing one to another. We haven't found this to be the case here, however we have not made comprehensive comparisons of ALL hook types or against ALL manufacturers shown in the chart provided by Togens. That said, their size 6 looks like a size 6 to us (and we suspect the fish), and the graduations from 6 to 8 to 10 appear to be true and consistent.
 

• STRENGTH

We have tied, used and caught fish on many of these hooks. Similarly, our clients have used our flies tied on these hooks and we have no reported breakage, twisting or straightening. Time will be the ultimate judge of course but to date we have not found any reason to question the manufacturer's claims.
 

• TIE-ABILITY

We couldn't find a real word for this so we made this one up! 

As previously noted, these hooks have a bright, smooth finish. They have consistent, attractive tapers and curves and consistent wire thickness. All in, these hooks are a pleasure to tie on and make a very nice looking fly. We have found the fish to agree.
 

• HOOK-UPS

Based on our observations, the hook penetration is as advertised and we have not seen an abnormal incidence of escape. That said, we have NOT tested ALL of the varieties, including barbless, scuds, emergers and a few others but we see no reason for this to change.
 

• VARIETY

The wide variety of hook styles available in the Togens lineup lacks nothing when compared with the major manufacturers. No matter what you fish for or what style of fly fishing you prefer (dry, wet, streamer, nymph, etc) you'll find what you're looking for here.
 

• COMPARISONS

We've included the manufacturer's hook comparison chart below for your reference. From quality and sizing perspectives we find these hooks to compare very favourably with the major manufacturers. The one exception we would note here is with the Black Up-Eye Salmon/Steelhead hook. This is compared by Togens to the Mustad 36890 (SL73UBL) and Daichi 2441. This is fair in all respects except the wire thickness which really lies somewhere between the SL73UBL/2441 and the SL53UBL/2421 which are more suited to low water and dry fly patterns. That said, we have used them as a replacement for the heavier hooks with no concerns except maybe in fast moving or very deep water.
 

• CONCLUSIONS

We find these hooks to compare favourably in every way to Mustad, Daichi, etc. We have no reason to expect this to change with the hook styles that we have not yet tested. While not of significant concern to us, the one contrast we noted with the Black Up-Eye can be overcome by substituting the 2X Long Nymph hook which features 1X strong wire. This is a bronze hook with a turned down eye which has the same length and proportions as the Black Up-Eye and ties a beautiful salmon fly without sacrificing the look and feel of classic salmon fly patterns. A major benefit of this substitution is the availability of smaller sizes (ie: you can tie a blue charm that actually LOOKS LIKE a blue charm in 10's and 12's).
 

• ADDITIONAL NOTES

The one hook that we use extensively that is currently missing from their product line is the bomber hook. We plan to add the Daichi 2110 to our inventory in the near future!
Some of these hook styles are commonly tied with bead heads and materials used in many nymph, grub, emerger and other patterns. We plan to add some of these materials in the very near future! 

TELL US WHAT YOU'D LIKE TO SEE!!!

 
We hope you find the following Togens charts useful!