Your points about what not to do-like hooking into the cork, hooking onto the reel, wrapping around the reel handle, holding the fly in your hand-are mostly quite valid. But the BEST alternative to all of those is usually a HOOK KEEP! I have accidentally damaged snake guides and stripping guide seats when my line got snagged on something and was pulled too hard with a fly stowed as you suggested (particularly on rods that didn’t have a hook keep). Walking through dense undergrowth, climbing over log jams, fishing in a river boat with slightly more equipment than it was designed to optimally hold, and especially fishing with kids. Sh%t happens. If you bend a hook keep, it’s no big deal. If you bend a snake guide or distort the mount of your stripping guide, it can seriously diminish the function of your rod. A rod with a hook keep is a positive, almost mandatory selling point to me.
I have never seen them be a hindrance. If they are installed correctly (low profile, close to the cork, and underneath in-line with the guides rather than off to one side), I see no good reason to eliminate them, they provide important utility. Let’s face it, Orvis and other companies leave them off the rods to save on labor and increase profits, any other reason is just an excuse. One of the old Fenwick Feralite glass rods I own had the hook keeper installed on top of the blank by mistake. When I first bought it, I thought it would interfere with casting and fishing, but it really hasn’t. I am one of those fly fisherman that will no longer buy a fly rod if it doesn’t have one, I hook my fly up when I am walking longer distances between fishing locations. And if you are in a boat where you have more than one rod rigged up ready to cast, it’s important. The stripping guide is usually not designed to fulfill this function.
It may have been mentioned elsewhere on this thread but if not, I have quick fix for a couple of my rods rods that came with no keeper. I solved it by wrapping a ponytail elastic band around either a reel pillar, or the stripping guide and running the hook through the band. Easy and cheap, and it also has a bit of 'give' for the line if by chance the line gets caught up in a stream-side branch while hiking to the next open spot on the bank. The bands are covered in soft fabric, so no injury to the reel pillar or stripping guide. It can be doubled or tripled up and stored wrapped around the fighting butt, rear grip on a two-hander, or just looped on some place on your vest or chest pack, or put in the front pouch on your wicker creel when you are going old school. 😉
Great info. I use the method you mention a lot when I am fishing long leaders where you would end up winding the fly line into the rod tip. But on my euro nymphing, trout spey and streamer rods I always use the hook keeper. So I like having the option of a hook keeper, to the point where I portably wouldn't buy a rod without one.
Thank you for sharing your knowledge Sir. I have been flyfishing over 20 years and still enjoy learning new tricks. I just bought a new $1000 Euro rod and didn't even realize it doesn't have a hook keeper. Its an easy fix so I will keep the rod. Next time though...
personally I like hook keepers, especially on euro rods where you are going to kink the 20' plus leader no matter what you do. I've never had a problem with the line catching it as I try to shoot line through a ring I make with my hand to control line distance.
As a rod builder I also do modifications and repairs. Besides tip top replacements, my #1 "repair" is the installation of hook keepers on factory rods. It sure feels weird putting a $0.30 keeper on a $1500 rod!
Hook hangers comes in handy when fishing streamers with some sort of sinking lines means short leaders are used. Then you can use it. No Problem. I would never wrap my leader around the reels foot because it can kink my leader. Always around the reel itself. I would also never use a snake guide because you can damage them. Go for one of the stripping guides foot. In addition I wrap my leader 2 or 3 times around the rods blank (snake guide) to make everything nice and tight.
Another handy tip for those who fish 2 flies, with one on a dropper tag hanging loose and always getting caught up. Put a small rubber band around the rod section where the dropper tag normally hangs then hook the loose hanging fly into the rubber band. Works a treat.
When im fishing with two flies, then the leader down around the reel and the end flie up in stripper guide, second flie fits at the hook keeper over the handle.
To be honest, I’d rather no hook keeper and you should never have your loop to loop connection in through the rod tip. Very good video, exactly how I do it myself. Always protect your guides, Especially on a Winston 😊
after getting my first fly rod at christmas and multiple attempts since, I finally caught my first two fish the other day. Two little bass from a wooly bugger in a small creek. Thanks for the video Chris.
I dont like the idea of locating your hook half way up the rod on a snake ring which also has an expensive flyline running right next to it. It's asking to damage/ puncture the integrity of the flyline polymer coating. Surely thats riskier than just using the hook keep. Especially with a twin hook salmon fly.
Hookeepers are the best…face it they were removed for one reason, so orvis etc. can increase profits. I have fished for 40 years, it has never been a hindrance.
No hook keeper = not buying it. I fish wild hill lochs in Scotland and I'm casting and moving a lot. I store it on the hook keeper and go. Again no hook keeper = not buying it.
There's no reason to not have one. It doesn't get in the way and is a convenient option for another place to hook a fly. I've literally never seen a line catch on one in 30 years of fishing, sound like an issue with the way you release your line. I typically stow the leader the same way you do, I'll just use the hook keeper or foot of an eye, depending on leader length
My new orvis blackout hasnt got one and i really miss it as all my other rod have them. Im considering whipping one on but it will spoil the look as there is no place for it, i should maybe stop being a fanny and just get one put on the label 😂 i have a few aftermarket cheap plastic and rubber band ones which are crap and fall off often. Anyway... I honestly dont see the logic in not installing them to start with. Sort it out manufacturers
We absolutely should leave them on. I just don’t find them to be that useful so I want to list alternatives but many people seem to still enjoy them. The feedback is good to see.
I can see where you're coming from but in truth rods and reels are pretty rugged. Perhaps because the gear is so expensive, people tend to "baby" their stuff to keep it looking nice, but I bash my gear pretty good and it keeps ticking. Most breaks and failures are do to obvious damage, like door frames and drops.
Your points about what not to do-like hooking into the cork, hooking onto the reel, wrapping around the reel handle, holding the fly in your hand-are mostly quite valid. But the BEST alternative to all of those is usually a HOOK KEEP! I have accidentally damaged snake guides and stripping guide seats when my line got snagged on something and was pulled too hard with a fly stowed as you suggested (particularly on rods that didn’t have a hook keep). Walking through dense undergrowth, climbing over log jams, fishing in a river boat with slightly more equipment than it was designed to optimally hold, and especially fishing with kids. Sh%t happens. If you bend a hook keep, it’s no big deal. If you bend a snake guide or distort the mount of your stripping guide, it can seriously diminish the function of your rod. A rod with a hook keep is a positive, almost mandatory selling point to me.
A fair point absolutely! Appreciate your feedback.
I have never seen them be a hindrance. If they are installed correctly (low profile, close to the cork, and underneath in-line with the guides rather than off to one side), I see no good reason to eliminate them, they provide important utility. Let’s face it, Orvis and other companies leave them off the rods to save on labor and increase profits, any other reason is just an excuse. One of the old Fenwick Feralite glass rods I own had the hook keeper installed on top of the blank by mistake. When I first bought it, I thought it would interfere with casting and fishing, but it really hasn’t. I am one of those fly fisherman that will no longer buy a fly rod if it doesn’t have one, I hook my fly up when I am walking longer distances between fishing locations. And if you are in a boat where you have more than one rod rigged up ready to cast, it’s important. The stripping guide is usually not designed to fulfill this function.
I certainly don’t think we should ever eliminate them either. They can provide a secure setup that many people appreciate. Thanks for the feedback.
It may have been mentioned elsewhere on this thread but if not, I have quick fix for a couple of my rods rods that came with no keeper. I solved it by wrapping a ponytail elastic band around either a reel pillar, or the stripping guide and running the hook through the band. Easy and cheap, and it also has a bit of 'give' for the line if by chance the line gets caught up in a stream-side branch while hiking to the next open spot on the bank. The bands are covered in soft fabric, so no injury to the reel pillar or stripping guide. It can be doubled or tripled up and stored wrapped around the fighting butt, rear grip on a two-hander, or just looped on some place on your vest or chest pack, or put in the front pouch on your wicker creel when you are going old school. 😉
Great info. I use the method you mention a lot when I am fishing long leaders where you would end up winding the fly line into the rod tip. But on my euro nymphing, trout spey and streamer rods I always use the hook keeper. So I like having the option of a hook keeper, to the point where I portably wouldn't buy a rod without one.
Thank you for sharing your knowledge Sir. I have been flyfishing over 20 years and still enjoy learning new tricks. I just bought a new $1000 Euro rod and didn't even realize it doesn't have a hook keeper. Its an easy fix so I will keep the rod. Next time though...
personally I like hook keepers, especially on euro rods where you are going to kink the 20' plus leader no matter what you do. I've never had a problem with the line catching it as I try to shoot line through a ring I make with my hand to control line distance.
As a rod builder I also do modifications and repairs. Besides tip top replacements, my #1 "repair" is the installation of hook keepers on factory rods. It sure feels weird putting a $0.30 keeper on a $1500 rod!
Dude is one of my fave photo UA-camrs a fishing UA-camr too? Nice! Have a couple Helios rods without the hook keeper and don't miss it at all.
Hook hangers comes in handy when fishing streamers with some sort of sinking lines means short leaders are used. Then you can use it. No Problem. I would never wrap my leader around the reels foot because it can kink my leader. Always around the reel itself. I would also never use a snake guide because you can damage them. Go for one of the stripping guides foot. In addition I wrap my leader 2 or 3 times around the rods blank (snake guide) to make everything nice and tight.
Another handy tip for those who fish 2 flies, with one on a dropper tag hanging loose and always getting caught up. Put a small rubber band around the rod section where the dropper tag normally hangs then hook the loose hanging fly into the rubber band. Works a treat.
I hear the rubber band trick a lot! I’ll have to give it a try. I’m happy to see you still making your usual incredible videos!
If I see a rod without a hook keeper, chances are that I won't buy it.
I won’t build any rod without one, doesn’t make sense not to add that feature
When im fishing with two flies, then the leader down around the reel and the end flie up in stripper guide, second flie fits at the hook keeper over the handle.
Great tips, THANK YOU.
Thanks for the video!
To be honest, I’d rather no hook keeper and you should never have your loop to loop connection in through the rod tip. Very good video, exactly how I do it myself. Always protect your guides, Especially on a Winston 😊
after getting my first fly rod at christmas and multiple attempts since, I finally caught my first two fish the other day. Two little bass from a wooly bugger in a small creek. Thanks for the video Chris.
You’re welcome! I hope you have a rich and full fly fishing journey ahead of you!
It is because rod makers are trying to cut corners. Neve have gotten the wrap around the reel seat to work.
I like em. They never bothered me.
I dont like the idea of locating your hook half way up the rod on a snake ring which also has an expensive flyline running right next to it. It's asking to damage/ puncture the integrity of the flyline polymer coating. Surely thats riskier than just using the hook keep. Especially with a twin hook salmon fly.
Wait, I don’t see that camera guy? The one from Canada??
Sure you do! It’s me!
@@niccollsvideo awesome. I’ve been fly fishing since I was 5, and, I’m a professional fotog.
I don’t buy from brands that exclude something as minor as a hook keeper from their rods - makes me wonder what else they are skimping on.
Hookeepers are the best…face it they were removed for one reason, so orvis etc. can increase profits. I have fished for 40 years, it has never been a hindrance.
No hook keeper = not buying it. I fish wild hill lochs in Scotland and I'm casting and moving a lot. I store it on the hook keeper and go. Again no hook keeper = not buying it.
Excellent.Ineed to try that. :-)
Winston GVX is a great rod…it was a budget offering from Winston but punched well above its weight…if they still made them I’d buy a couple
There's no reason to not have one. It doesn't get in the way and is a convenient option for another place to hook a fly. I've literally never seen a line catch on one in 30 years of fishing, sound like an issue with the way you release your line. I typically stow the leader the same way you do, I'll just use the hook keeper or foot of an eye, depending on leader length
My new orvis blackout hasnt got one and i really miss it as all my other rod have them. Im considering whipping one on but it will spoil the look as there is no place for it, i should maybe stop being a fanny and just get one put on the label 😂 i have a few aftermarket cheap plastic and rubber band ones which are crap and fall off often. Anyway... I honestly dont see the logic in not installing them to start with. Sort it out manufacturers
Why not have 1
We absolutely should leave them on. I just don’t find them to be that useful so I want to list alternatives but many people seem to still enjoy them. The feedback is good to see.
It's very simple: you can't be bothered to put a hook-keeper on your rod, I can't be bothered to buy it.
Everything about fly fishing seems so fragile for being so expensive
I can see where you're coming from but in truth rods and reels are pretty rugged. Perhaps because the gear is so expensive, people tend to "baby" their stuff to keep it looking nice, but I bash my gear pretty good and it keeps ticking. Most breaks and failures are do to obvious damage, like door frames and drops.
No you shouldn’t, leave the hook keeper alone, just use the rod and fish
Great info, thanks!