“Tying Small” With The Tiemco 531

Above photo: A quiver of #20 Quilled BWO hen tip duns on the TMC 531

The world of dry fly hooks can be mind-numbing when considering all the choices available worldwide. There are many considerations when it comes to the specific pattern and hook. The geometry of the dry fly hook and uniform scale relative to the pattern is what I always think about. If your testing patterns constantly like I do, it can keep you up at night. I have gotten in some mind-numbing conversations with guides (typically Canadian) and weekend warriors alike. Over the years, I have found a common ground with my tying tastes and given fishing circumstances. I typically “tie small,” which means that the patterns tend to be somewhat sparse, compact, and often deceptively small. The Tiemco 531 is the hook I use to tie deceptively small. The 531 is the most effective hook I have ever used, and I have used it for years. I would say seventy percent of my dry flies are dressed on a TMC 531.

The 531 is a fine black wire hook with a slight barb. It is a short shank hook with a wide gape, and the bite/throat is deep. The bend is much more uniform than that of a standard dry fly hook, such as the TMC 101. The eye is smaller than its same-sized counterpart and has a less pronounced angle. The 531's front tapers gently into an extremely sharp point, as shown below. The first time I tied with one of these hooks, it was love at first sight. The first time I fished with it, I was a complete convert and am still to this day. The only pitfall with this hook is that it is somewhat fine, and I have bent these while fighting large fish, but have never straightened one completely, so care must be taken fighting the girthy Browns and Rainbows.

I have always felt that the TMC 531 is a better hook for my patterns than the TMC 101. Hypothetically, if there was only one hook I was allowed to use, it would be the 531 hands down.
Tying small takes some practice, so the short shank is not an obstacle; it is simply a mindful consideration when working out proportions, especially on Mayfly duns. All of my adult Caddis patterns are tied on the TMC 531, and dry emergers on the TMC 212Y. Both of these hooks are somewhat difficult to get here in the USA, but are easily found in the UK and CZ. Noticeably, these hooks float very well with their given dressing. Hook-ups are very positive in my experience, not to mention that the very slight barb lets you remove them by flicking them with your index finger.

I hoard these hooks primarily because they are hard to find! If they were readily available here in the US, I would be able to sleep better at night, and I would be less inclined to strip old flies down and salvage the hook. I suppose time will only tell, but I am not holding my breath.
~Clint Joseph Bova