Traditionally, the salmon hook was intended as an instrument for mounting of fur and feathers for actual fishing. However in recent times, the traditional Featherwing and Hairwing Flies have been increasingly seen as works of art (feathered jewels as one writer called them), more likely to be seen hanging on a wall under glass than on the end of a line. With this recent "discovery" that flies also look nice, as well as working well, a number of features of the hook itself has been altered or modified in order facilitate this.

Indeed, it has somewhat de-evolutionised modern hook making away from the microbarbs, forged shanks and machine manufacturing used in modern fishing fly hooks back to days of large barbs, gutters, round shanks and tapered or even eyeless hooks. If you were to ask what is a typical salmon hook there would not be just one answer. Each period in time and each location would give you an answer.

So I will list the various types that I use or have used (or would like to use!!). Firstly, one you will be familiar with: the Low Water (or Wilson) eyed salmon hook. This is a hook with a 'sweeping' shank similar to that of a modern Talon L.W.S or the Tiemco 200R. The whole shank curves slightly to a point just behind the point where it makes an exaggerated curve back. Traditionally it would have had a low point at the bottom of the curve behind the barb, with the point being lower than the barb but modern hooks tend to be flat from the curve to the point. The point would be conical and the barb pronounced and shaped. A 'gutter' would also be just behind the barb. A gutter is a small channel immediately behind the barb that extends forward in a 'V' shape into the point. Hard to describe - you may need to hold a large hook and look at it to see what I mean.

These hooks traditionally had a black japanned finish A note on japanning: japanning was originally started in Japan (funny that) as a method of protecting and decorating furniture particularly boxes. Japanning was performed by using an extremely slowly drying gum from a tree (can't remember the name - will have to check it up). Naturally, being slowly drying meant that dust was a problem. This was solved by painting the boxes in the only dust free environment available - out to sea. This wasn't the only problem. The gum used is a carcinogen. Obviously real japanned items are now rare AND expensive for these reasons. These are also the reasons why hooks are not japanned. Modern hooks are coloured by using an epoxy style paint, which is sprayed on and baked, at high temperature to create the same effect.