Hook Keeper Help

[UlrichsM]

In need of some help attaching a hook keeper to my TFO 9-weight (don't know why my TFO would come without one, but...). I'd like to attach one, but I don't know how to do it. Anyone have good advice in size of hook keeper to get and how best to attach. Simple, I'm assuming, is best here. Any info appreciated...

 

[irish1]

You install a hook keeper the same as a guide.

Look here Fly Anglers OnLine, Your Complete Internet Flyfishing Resource. go to the menu on the right and select 'Features'. Stay on the right side for the following menu options: Rod Building, Graphite Rod Building. Scroll to the bottom of part 1 and select 'Part 10'

This tells you step-by-step how to wrap a guide.

Or just take it to your local fly fishing shop.

 

[sandfly]

duct tape works really fine too

 

[Joe D]

Often times a hook keeper gets in the way of shooting line on a long cast. That's why many saltwater rods don't have one. Just bring the leader around the back of your reel and then hook the fly to a guide.

 

[Bamboozle]

What Joe D said!

If you hook it to an upper guide it will keep the leader out of the tip top and the other guides in most cases.

Also when it's time to cast all you need to do is un-loop the line from behind the reel and let it drop leaving the fly attached to the guide. Then holding the rod parallel to the water give your rod a bump midway with the palm of you hand. That will usually dislodge the fly allowing you to just flip it out and cast.

Try it; it works!

 

[Future Fanatic]

OR,

you could just put that tree trunk away, and get back to what flyfishing was developed for. The spirits of the Catskill's Greats beseech you. Some where, Theodore Gordon is wincing. Mike, ease his pain...

Ebay, Mike...

Put it all up. Let the next guy worry about a hook keeper.

 

[UlrichsM]

Thank you gentlemen for your valued advice. Perhaps I will indeed forgo the hook keeper biz and wrap the line around the reel and use the rod guide. Good point. As for you, Future, well you crack me up.

 

[T1]

If you hook it to an upper guide it will keep the leader out of the tip top and the other guides in most cases.

ditto that advice, esp. the "upper guide", i.e., a bare metal guide. If you hook the hook into a "lower" guide (one that is ceramic or another coating to make the line move through with less friction), the hook may bite into the coating and crack it and your line will be cut. (for saltwater, where guides often have supporting struts that are bare metal, hook the hook in the bare metal struts instead of the ceramic coating)

also with hook holders -- with longer leaders, the leader knots are drawn through the tip top, not good for the knots. all in all, little good reason to have hook keepers at all.