Just want to say that I received my packets a week ago and have been tying steelhead flies on these shanks and wires. What I really like is that (has been said above) the shanks are just a tad bigger than others and that's a plus for me. I prefer not having to tie dumbbells on and these are nice and about the right weight. The wire part of the rigging and it being pre bent is the seller for me. I have experimented with switching hooks on them and they are terrific. So I am a fan. Loren
Perfect for tying Steelhead Flies
I fished flies i tied on these shanks and wires rigged with #2 Gammie Octopus hooks just like i use for winter steelhead -- for albacore on five trips out of Pacific City in 2019. The pre-shaped wires are the easiest i have ever used, i never doubled the wire, and i fished these flies with #25 fluorocarbon leaders. My respect for these shanks and wires is un matched. I hooked many tuna on these flies, pulled very hard, and never had a wire bent by a fish or pulled loose. The only bent wires i experienced were due to my dory mates grab ing wire instead of hook in their pliers to extricate the hook. The shanks are heavier than offered by other vendors, and more similar to the Waddington Shanks i formerly used. Having wired pre-cut and pre-bent is an advantage when I want to tie quickly. I find the angle of the wire bend is most compatible with Gammie Octopus hooks but i am guessing that a little bit of tugging on the seated hook would provide a match with trailer hooks that have a more modest angle of the hook eye. I cut the ring eye off these shanks with a flush cutter that cost me 14.95 and i do not need to file the cut. The rough finish of these shanks holds very well in the jaws of my Renzetti, Stonfo, and Regal vises. I am currently tying up winter steelhead flies on these shanks with the highest confidence.
The new Trailer Rigs from Fair Flies are a really nice addition to the line up. The shanks are made of a thicker gauge wire which I really like in a shank as well as being textured to prevent thread slip. The fact that they have an return eye and closed eye for dumbbell eyes or beads and they all come with trailer wire is a guaranteed will buy again product for me. The little details that Fair Flies and Stealth Hooks have paid attention to has really made this kit easy to tie with.