Grub/Shrimp · Sizes #8–22
The Partridge K4A is a barbless grub/shrimp hook available in sizes #8–22. It's built around a continuous curved shank that follows the natural arc of scuds, pupae and emerging insects — the curve does much of the shaping for you, paired with standard wire — a balance of strength and weight that works across most freshwater applications. Tyers reach for it most often when working on shrimp, saltwater crustacean. The sections below break down what each specification actually means at the vice, which patterns suit it, and which hooks from other manufacturers you can substitute when it's out of stock.
Shank length (Curved). This hook has a continuous curved shank that follows the natural arc of scuds, pupae and emerging insects — the curve does much of the shaping for you.
Wire strength (Std.). It's made from standard wire — a balance of strength and weight that works across most freshwater applications.
Bend and gape (Std.). The K4A uses a standard gape, which keeps the fly's proportions traditional.
Eye type (Down). It's finished with a down eye, the traditional choice, which sets a good hooking angle for dry and wet flies fished on a tippet.
Barbless. This hook is barbless from the factory, so it's ready for competition use and catch-and-release waters, and it does noticeably less damage to fish. Keep a steady line tension when playing a fish, as barbless hooks drop out more readily on slack.
The Partridge K4A is tagged in the Woolly Bug database for shrimp, saltwater crustacean. Patterns that sit naturally on this hook include Czech Nymph, Pink Shrimp, Crazy Charlie, Merkin Crab. Because the hook's proportions drive the finished fly's silhouette, it's worth matching the pattern's intended shape to the shank rather than forcing a recipe onto the wrong blank.
The K4A runs from size 8 through 22. The smaller end of the range (down to size 22) covers midge and small mayfly work, where fine tying thread and sparse dressings matter more than bulk. If you're buying this hook for the first time, the mid-range sizes see the most use at the vice, and tracking exactly which sizes you own is where an inventory app earns its keep — it's the detail most tyers forget at the fly shop counter.
These hooks match closely on the specifications that determine a fly's proportions and behaviour, so they work as substitutes.
If the Partridge K4A is out of stock, the closest match in the database is the Firehole 320. When substituting, the specifications that matter most are gape and shank length — these determine whether the finished fly keeps its intended proportions. Wire strength is the next consideration, since it changes how the fly sits in the water: a heavier wire will sink a pattern that was designed to float. Eye type is usually the most forgiving difference, though switching to or from a jig eye changes how the hook rides entirely.
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Download FreeThe Partridge K4A is a grub/shrimp hook used for Shrimp, Saltwater Crustacean. It's available in sizes #8–22 with a Curved shank and Std. wire.
The closest equivalents are: Firehole 320, Firehole 321, Fulling Mill FM-5145 Black, Partridge K14A, Ahrex HR412. These match on the specifications that matter most — shank length (Curved), wire strength (Std.) and bend (Std.).
The Partridge K4A is barbless. That makes it suitable for competition use and catch-and-release fisheries without modification.
It's available in sizes #8–22.
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