We fish a lot of tube flies at our lodges, and while they can be rigged several different ways, one of our favorite ways is attaching an up-eye octopus style stinger hook to a large loop in the leader nested at the back of the fly. Not only does this position the hook at the back of the fly (for less short strikes), it also more often finds the corner of the mouth for a better hook hold and an easier release on the fish. That’s a win, win.
Furthermore, by affixing the hook to the leader by passing the loop through the eye of the hook, and over the bend of the hook (like a loop to loop connection), hooks can be quickly changed as they become dull, bent, etc., without the need to tie another knot. Its a pretty slick system, and one we’ve relied for a long time.
However, one downside to attaching the hook with a loop, as opposed to directly to the hook eye, is the rare, yet possible, wear of the leader against a potentially sharp factory edge of the hook eye. We’ve seen a few hookless flies come back, with a break in the center of the loop, which is why we started using the following for a little added security.
As the leader is drawn tight, the loop will compress around the shank of the hook for a better hold, along with creating a bulkier connection against the eye of the hook, lessening the chance of the leader finding the edge of the hook eye. Plus, in our opinion, the above also helps keep the shank of the hook in-line with the leader for a better hold as well. Give it a try!
Offset octopus hooks on long stingers are very good at hooking gills and tongues. Unless I’m fishing for meat, I keep the hook 1/2 in inside of fly tail and I take the offset out of the hook bend.