For years, I’ve been using the Gamakatsu SC15 on smaller patterns like baitfish and clam worms. No issues until a couple weeks ago on Block. I was dead-drifting a team of three, when bang! It was an unusual hit for this type of fishing; the takes are usually a subtle pull or a building sensation of weight. When I retrieved the fly from mouth — the fish wasn’t that big, maybe 22″ — I was shocked to see the opening bend in the hook from that hit. I’m wondering if it’s one-off randomness or a recipe for disaster on a bigger fish. I’ll let you know…

I like the Gamakatsu SC15 size 2 for this smaller baitfish profile. The hooks are light, with a short shank, wide gap, tin plating, and they’re sticky, sticky sharp, critical for this type of light-take or quick-bump-and-set fishing. As you can see, the bottom hook experienced significant failure. I used the same hook in a 2/0 without incident.