Gene L 0 Report post Posted March 24, 2012 I read of these tiers tying down to 32 or so, and I wonder. I've never tied down to 22 and find that about my limit. I doubt I could see a 32 if I ever tied down that small with a dry fly. So, realistically, what do you tie at the extreme end? Usually, I mean. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oldtrout58 0 Report post Posted March 24, 2012 I read of these tiers tying down to 32 or so, and I wonder. I've never tied down to 22 and find that about my limit. I doubt I could see a 32 if I ever tied down that small with a dry fly. So, realistically, what do you tie at the extreme end? Usually, I mean. I tie as small as #24. A certain gentleman that I camp and fish with, who is also the best fly tier I know, tied some #32 parachutes on our last camping/tying/fishing trip. I watched him stick several big trout (18+") on the 32s, but he did not manage to get any to the net that day. I'll be fishing with him again in May, I can hardly wait. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
H Dot Verseman 0 Report post Posted March 24, 2012 I'm with Gene here, I tie to about 22. To be honest, I rarely go below 18 I just dont think it matters that much for every day fishing. Now, with certain hatches and species I tie 20's and 22's but I'm not fond of it. I've never even seen a size 32 hook. What is the smallest hook commercially available? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
utyer 0 Report post Posted March 24, 2012 I have tied and fished with size 24 (mostly tricos,) but I usually am content with size 20 and 22 for midges. I have tied plenty of size 32s, but I don't usually fish them. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mybadhabit 0 Report post Posted March 24, 2012 I've done 22's, and I think I could go down to maybe size 28, but my eyes get crossed even with the glasses when doing the 22's for too long, kinda liked the small stuff the first try. We don't get too much of a need for it down here in TX though, so I don't do much of it. Maybe in the future, if I can wrangle a trip in the club auction I'll have a reason to do more of them. Blane Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DUBBN 0 Report post Posted March 24, 2012 I am a member of the 20/20, 22/22, and 24/24 club (24 inch fish on a size 24 fly). Thats my limit as I dont see the need to tye 26's to catch fish. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Steeldrifter 0 Report post Posted March 24, 2012 18 is about my limit. Only thing that is a good hatch here below a 18 are tricos and when it comes to that I'd rather buy then tie that small. I hate tying super small flies Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cmb18895 0 Report post Posted March 24, 2012 have gone down to size 30 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Piker20 0 Report post Posted March 24, 2012 I tied down to size 20 but will probably stick to 18 as the benefit didn't outweigh the effort of tying smaller. What size tippet are you tying on a 24 or smaller? the eye must be tiny? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
flytire 0 Report post Posted March 24, 2012 my failing eyes limit me to about a size 22 but with additional magnification i might be able to tie smaller Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jaydub 0 Report post Posted March 24, 2012 I regularly tie down to size 20 and rarely to size 22. When tying really small, I like to use a short shank, wide gape hook. The wide gape is better for hooking and easier handling. I think the smallest flies I've tied were on a TMC 2488 size 24. That is a 2x short hook. So the shank is about equivalent to a 26. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Simon Lidster 0 Report post Posted March 25, 2012 Size 30 greenfly, deadly! www.youtube.com/watch?v=C1mjH-JDcZk&context=C446f530ADvjVQa1PpcFPOCT2TrJH59bh5JYm1QSBgYRgvs6RDqgw= Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
riffleriversteelheadslayer 0 Report post Posted March 25, 2012 I tie #28 regularly for fishing brook trout in small creeks Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chase Creek 0 Report post Posted March 25, 2012 Nowadays, I tie comfortably down to 18, but 22 is the limit. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
blakejd 0 Report post Posted March 25, 2012 I love to tie small stuff. Rarely do i tie larger than 18's with the exception of streamers and I regularly tie and fish24-26's. The problem comes in landing the shy pigs that will only take such small flies without beding the hook or tireing them out. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites