I've tried the loop type, the ring type, and the fold down....Liked 'em all some of the time and not liked them some of the time.

How about you guys......??

How often do you use hook keepers...And when don't you.

Anything wrong with doing a butt wrap and then putting the loop style keeper over that...so you don't have the blank showing in the middle of the keeper? Might try that when ever I crank up another project.

Keith

i don't include hook keepers (so far) but then i've only built 5 stream fly rods. instead, when fishing, i bring the line back around the reel foot and hook onto the stripper guide or a little farther up. that way it's very easy after boulder hopping to a new area to simply unhook and start casting anew.

i've always wondered though... do the ring type or fold down type move at all during casting? is there some little noise emanating from those little doodads?

eric
fresno, ca.

The fold down are quiet; don't know about the ring style, Eric. I don't build many fly rods; those that I have, I've put the folding style on. Not neccessary, though, for sure.

Putter

Ditto Putter. I moved away from the "regular" style last year and only use Fuji folding hook keepers now. I do have rods built with these that have seen a lot of seasons and they're still quite/immobile during casting/fishing. I just like the look of a shorter wrap in front of the wc. I also do some rods for customers (and myself) without them, but most decide to include a keeper if only to have it for those few times it might come in handy.

Good wraps!

I hate 'em! I think they are ugly and useless. I've sold over 100 bamboo rods and 100's of graphite rods with no hook-keeper. Never one complaint.

If you got to have one, try the look of single foot wire guides. Come in many colors to match the wraps
Do the Forham wrap on it

Anyone ever had a failure with the Fuji folding hook keepers? I'm undecided whether to put a basic type or folding type on a special rod I'm building. I like the fancy touch of the folding hook keeper, but don't want one that might break over the years. Any comments would be appreciated.

Do you really want to use your stripping guide as a hook keeper? Seems to me that putting a metal hook into the ceramic ring can't do it any good. Maybe that's why they invented a metal hook keeper to hold that metal lure/fish hook.

yes, i'm pretty sure placing a sharp hook into a ceramic ring or any surface designed to be as smooth and friction free as possible for performance would not be a bright idea.

when i use my technique, i do not place the hook on the ceramic ring. i use the stripper guide's legs or braces.

eric
fresno, ca.

Let the customer decide.

Lou

I always have one on my own rods,but give other people the choice of whether they want one or not.I wouldn't be without them,but some people hate them.To each their own.

Personally,I like the fold down Fugi's best.They are small and fairly inconspicuous when folded down compared to the typical wire U shaped ones.They look nice even one light rods and I've never had one rattle around on me or anything.Just remember to fold them down out of the way when not in use to avoid bending them.

A 2/0 single foot wire as a keep. No Forhan, but a blocking wrap continued well ahead of the keep so that the hook cannot contact the blank. I rarely use even this keep on ultralight rods, although it does raise a question as to where to hang the fly. I have one folding fuji and it still functions as designed. I was very careful when varnishing and have a blocking wrap on this one as well.

I've used the strap and ring hookkeeper on only one rod, but I like it a lot. I doesn't make any noise and it's really small. The biggest problem is that hardly anyone makes them and I think they only come in silver/chrome. I've also use the Fuji folding type and like them too, but the strap and ring is my favorite.

I like the folding keepers best, but a single foot wire guide is also nice in tiny sizes. I wrap those backwards, with the foot facing forward so there is no chance of it pulling out, then I wrap on the other side so the guide/keeper sits in the middle of a trim wrap & there is no chance of a hook gouging the rod. In any case, I prefer a hook keeper of any style as opposed to no keeper at all.

2 cents,

Tim