Best hooks for wet flies

The Woolly Bug database lists 56 hooks suited to wet flies, across 13 manufacturers. The most common specification in this category is a Std. shank with Std. wire, and 36 of the 56 are barbless. Wet fly hooks are traditionally heavier than dry fly hooks and often use an up eye, which opens up the effective gape on a short-shank hook. Standard wire is the usual choice — enough weight to get under the surface without dragging.

Shank length. Most hooks in this category use a standard shank, which matches the proportions of most classic dry fly and nymph recipes — if a pattern doesn't specify a shank length, this is what it assumes.

Wire strength. The typical choice here is standard wire — a balance of strength and weight that works across most freshwater applications.

Barbed or barbless. 36 of the 56 hooks listed for wet flies are barbless from the factory. Competition rules and many catch-and-release fisheries require barbless, and a barbed hook can be pinched down with flat-jawed pliers before dressing.