Hooks for saltwater flyfishing

The only real criterion for selecting a hook is that it should be strong and sharp. I no longer use stainless steel hooks. Most British saltwater flyfishing is done over very rough ground and there are many tackle losses. I'd prefer that a lost hook rusted quickly rather that remaining to hurt the innocent and unwary.

Most flies are tied on sizes 10 to 2/0. Occasionally a tiny maggot-floater is made in size 14 or smaller for mullet fishing. These tiny hooks do not give a good hold and if at all possible something larger should be used. We do not have the big-game species so huge hooks are unneccessary. Mind you I do have a few ideas concerning a boat, deep water, quantities of rubby-dubby and some heavy tackle...

There is room for experiments with barbless hooks, I have occasionally pinched the barb flat but so far I've never done without. Most flies are dressed on singles. Double hooks are weed prone and so far trebles have only been tried in conjunction with tubes. Tandem tyings are sometimes useful when garfish and wrasse are about, Waddington mounts can work in the same circumstances although they are often poor hookers, probably because most predators grab the head of the fly.

This summer I made some inconclusive experiments with heavy brass tubes. I was fishing in very deep water and they certainly helped me get down to the fish, but they latched on to every bit of weed available. They might be better employed over sand or when fishing deep but not on the bottom.