I build all my own rods and put hook keepers on every one of them. I disagree with most companies discontinuing putting them on their rods. Let us have the option.
@@JTitula let the consumer decide… yes super inexpensive. Bike industry, Car industry (electric cars) and now fly rod companies telling us what we need and why…. Don’t give in!
I saw a friend doing that but didn’t notice the trick to release the hook off the rod. it’s efficient and has a coolness plus even. Amazing!! Thank you for sharing!
I fish every way. My spin and baitcast rods from Japan never have hook keepers, which is a bummer because I like keepers. Been using the add on keepers for many years. The method you show for a fly rod makes total sense. Thx
My only issue is with heavier rods that don’t come with keepers… the add on keepers don’t always come with rubber rings large enough to accommodate some heavy and xheavy rods… thankfully most of my stuff is ultralight or light with some mediums and only the occasional heavy or xheavy.
I have been fly fishing for 40 years and all of my rods had hook keepers until I got my Orvis Recon last year. I was completely shocked to see no hook keeper on a $700 rod. I have been doing the wrap around trick for decades, but I still want a hook keeper on my rod for those times when they are useful. They should be on every rod as an essential part of the rod like the grip and guides. Don’t tell me they are no longer on the rods because they aren’t needed. We all know why rod companies aren’t putting them on. It’s like back in the 80’s when car companies were only putting mirrors on the driver side door. Remember that? How stupid. Now the mirrors are back on both doors like they should be. Spend the extra money it takes to install hook keepers please and stop being so damn cheap.
We can promise you that we have spoken to many of the companies about this subject....including Shawn Combs at Orvis. It's not because they are cheap. It's because most people don't use them, they aren't needed and there are better ways. If you like them, that's fine....as Brian say here. Maybe you should have checked before you bought that $600 rod if it was so important to you. (If you paid $700....you paid $100 too much).
@@Madriveroutfitters The rod was a gift and I wouldn’t have bought it. If nobody uses them then why are there so many people in the comments asking for them?
@@Madriveroutfitters its 100% because they are cheap. You have to say that because you are in business with them. That's like you saying Loon is an innovative company- when in reality they are a hack company dipping chinese and pakistani steel tools in black and yellow paint
HA! My Brother's newer BMW X5... doesn't have a _SPARE TIRE_ or even a good SPOT to stow one even if you _wanted_ one! Sure, the odds are very slim you'll need a spare tire once in even a decade or two, but guess who ran over a big bolt that fell off a truck up ahead which promptly added a giant new "air duct" in his tire? And on a labor day weekend to boot, so there _"the ultimate driving machine"_ SAT until Tuesday!🤣
Yes you can wrap it around and put it on a guide. Do that with real long leader. But try going through brush and find that line wrapped around the reel comes off and fly comes off and you can have a mess. Some even have a hole in the reel seat for flies. You will never find my bamboo rods without hook keepers. It’s like cork grips.
As Brian says in the video....."This is Umerica". You are free to use them of course. He was just offering an alternative if you don't have one. (If you button it up as he shows....it won't come off by the way). Thanks for watching.
Thanks for posting. I was just yesterday bitchin' about the fact that my new Orvis lacked a hook keeper as I was meandering through my favorite trout river. Count me among those that thought that fly rod manufacturers were just being cheap. I don't necessarily agree that the hook keepers are "un-necessary" but I'm going to give your options a try before buying the Loon product.
God, thank you, Brian. That tip about going around the reel will keep my leader out of the guides between holes. My BIGGEST pet peeve. Thank you. I am self-taught watching you guys and a few others.
@@ryanwilson5936 So Orvis is doing it to save .33 on a $1300 rod? Sorry but doesn’t add up. Again, stay tuned for a follow up. Brian will report on what the rod companies have told him directly on this subject.
@@Madriveroutfitters Yes. It’s all about volume. It adds up. Especially for a company as big as Orvis. I don’t care what they tell you. It’s always about money.
($0.33 per rod + install time)x thousands of rods = lots of savings=corporate priority Orvis will do what all corporations do ...explain away their profit notice as a benevolent act on behalf of the consumer. It never is such. Orvis will put them on their rods if enough customers buy other brands that have them. Otherwise, they will tell you you don't need it. I got my degree in business, and my father taught production and supply chain management....this is business 101.
Excellent video. Second benefit to the way you hook up your line - it keeps the fly line out the tip-top, ensuring that you can cast more easily and quickly when the time comes. You don't have to pull on the leader to get the fly line out. For those who fish a second fly on a tag, you can slip an orthodontic rubber band over the end of the section of the rod where the tag fly is located when you've got the line hooked up, and then slip the hook on the tag fly under the rubber band. That keeps the tag fly from tangling while you walk to the next fishing hole.
I learnt this method 20 years ago in New Zealand and have never looked back. The simple explanation for this is as soon as your ready to fish you already have enough line out the top of the rod to start casting, I’ve just found it’s easier and more convenient. Just my 2cents worth , give it a go and see what you think. 🙏🎣
Where I live and fish in NZ you often can't do this in the thick brush alongside river and you absolutely need a hook keeper. I just bought a rod without one and my god what a pain in the ass.
Oh my gosh THANK YOU! As a noob this was so helpful as my search for rods has just begun and I had negative impressions of some very fine rods for a ridiculous reason. Feeling sheepish rn 🤣
I have used the snake guide-reel wrap method for decades. Not exclusively. I still want a hook keeper. My newest rod (purchased this year) has one. I use them. I expect to continue to use them.
Awesome! Thanks for the information, you are a genius! The tips and tricks locked up in that head of yours must be to numerous to count. Love you content!
I always believed a rod with a hook keeper is a complete rod. It's like that little bit of extra aesthetic that says, you may not need or want it, but we're thinking about you if you do.
If rod manufacturers are not being cheap, then why not just keep the hook keeper there and let the fisherman decide? You performed that demonstration with an enormous hook, probably for demonstration purposes. But, a new Orvis rod I bought, didn't have a hook keeper. Out of desparation I tried attaching it to the snake guide, and my size 18 hook kept falling off. It was a pain. I gave up, held the hook carefully between my thumb/forefinger while holding the rod. If it ain't broke, do not fix it. Were there thousands of customers screaming to have the hook keep removed? I doubt it. Which makes the decision to remove it sound 'fishy'.
If it were only that simple. It’s not that manufacturers are being cheap. They are being cost-effective for the consumer, simple device like a rod holder, increases the complexity and manufacturer-ability of a rod, thereby adding time ,labor, and all the other cost associated with it for something that truly is unnecessary.
I have a Echo Stillwater without a hook keeper wish it did. Wonderful float tube rod. It casts sinking lines with ease. Great stillwater rod design Rajeff.
I only use the hook keeper for streamers. As typically the leader is less than 9ft long. For everything else I use the method of running around the reel and back up to a snake guide.
A guide showed me the wrap around your reel and hook your fly to the stripping guide closest to the reel several years ago. Haven’t done it any other way since.
Depending on the length of my leader, I hook it up the rod as far as I can reach, not just the first stripping guide. I can accommodate up to about 15 foot leader that way.
@@flyguy2021 That's the same way I do it, just to have as much line out as I can for when I cast next time. Besides the comfort of it, I hate having the fly this close to the handle; less chance of me accidentally grabbing it.
My dad's old fly rod from the 1970's didn't have a hook keeper on it. I just gave him my two #5 fly rods for bluegill fishing. I added hook keepers to both of them and used nail polish finisher that my girlfriend had to deal them like twenty years ago She is no longer around but the fly rods were
When fishing with sink tips/sinking lines using short leaders hook keepers are indeed practical. That allows you to keep everything in place while you have enough line out of the tip ring.
Hook keeper is essential for a mobile, wading, small river angler. It is a PITA when using a rod w/o it, for that situation. They don't negatively affect any aspect of fishing. The lone exception being wrapping the belly of the line around it when aggressively shooting line. But, if you are properly controlling your line belly with your off-hand it is a non-issue. I know that is is personal preference and that there are no "rules", but fishing with a rod without a hook keeper, personally makes me crazy. Good to know about the Loon product, I had somehow overlooked it. Provides me a solution to a minor irritation I have with a couple of rods that I have.
Another hint. If you are fishing with two flies just put a asparagus rubber band (thick) on the end of the first section of the rod and hook your dropper fly onto that while the point fly goes on the snake guide.
We always break our rods down and take those darn sharp pointy things off for transit, less temptation for Murphy's law to rear thy head! To bundle the rod segments up I use two of those little Velcro tie strips typically used for cable management behind your TV, desktop computers, home audio or even just keeping those random hoards of USB cables tidy when not in use.
For the cheap ones out there, you can make your own hook keeper with a paper clip. Just cut one side off, creating a round crown staple looking fixture, anywhere from a 1/2 -1 inch long. Take a pair of needle nose pliers and bend the tip at a 45-90 degree angle. Then take the two ends, use your favorite adhesive and press them in between the rod and cork handle until only the bend is visible. Let it dry for a couple hours and presto a hook keeper.
I hate rods without hook keepers. it's so inconvenient. I understand the reason when you using 9' rod with 9' leaders and kink problem. But not all rods are 9' neither leaders. My main rod is 11' euro rod with mono rig (thin long leader which is longer than rod length), so the kink issue is irrelevant. and when you have 2-3 flies on your rig, there's always not enough guides to secure it, so extra keeper would be helpful. Also, some hooks are tiny, they can't be reliably secured in snake guides , often falling off when you walking. Single foot guides are better in this aspect
My last guide had me putting the line around the reel just like that. But he also has me using the side of the stripping guides for the hook, doesn’t damage the ceramic. Not sure why vs using the snake guide but I find it best not to argue with him :)
We made Brian have to make an "Alright you fools. Can't have you guys thinking i don't know what's up." Video. Shame on us. He was just having some fun when he made the hook keeper video.
Generally speaking, I only use the factory hook keeper to hold a fly while I strip line to prepare for a cast. Otherwise, I stow as you described via an eyelet.
I leave them off, but offer them to my clients. Most folks like the visual detail on a bamboo rod. Everett Garrison tells a story of one of his clients putting a salmon fly into their hand in a fall as it was so close to the hand in the hook keeper.
Had to disassemble/cut apart a large popping bug from a customer's hand once, while still attached to the fly rod as it was though the hook keeper. Worst part is he had picked up the rod in the am almost an hour before we picked the clients up, and somehow stumbled or bumped his hand and hooked himself in the meat of his palm. Sat patiently waiting for is to come and remove it. He wanted us to cit the hook keeper off to make it easier, but I'm a fan of them Especially for bass fishing. He was not stoked as I carefully dismantled the fly so we could thread it back through the hook keeper before performing the string trick! The thread and superglue covered zig zag shank of the popping bug hook added insult to injury threading back through the keeper while pinned in his hand...
I like hook keepers and do use them. I typically include them on the rods I build. I'm not lost without them though. There's always a place to hook a hook. Is that a pun? Sometimes I'll use the reel seat or a guide. To avoid damage to the ceramic, I attach the hook at the base. Regardless, I'll make a couple of wraps around the rod with the line to keep it close to the blank.
I learned the wrap atound from a lefty kreh video decades ago, but i still use the hook keeper, not the first eye. I'll spend the extra few bucks for the manufacturer to put one on properly
I quit using the hook keepers on my rods when I started using ultralight spinning gear. To get enough tension to keep the hook in place, you had to crank down enough to bend the tip over 45 to 60 degrees. Not something I wanted to do to my rods.
Not a fly fisherman but I just push my hooks into corq or foam grip if there is no hook holder unless they are trebles. I do think there should be one, but on rods that don't have them, there are always options like eyelet holder / carrier / arm (the thing that holds eyelet to the rod), never put hooks through eyelets because it can scrape them, ruin your line and your casting distance.
Recently purchased a rod without a hook keeper. Depending on what I’m fishing, I’ll choke up on rod a little. When I picked up my other rod with a hook keeper I noticed it started bugging me bc it’s now in the place where my fingers are. Not sure if that’s just a me thing or if others also experience this
I've been doing this for the last 30 plus years and have never used a hook keeper since a mate of mine showed me this on the riverbank. So much easier ...
Brian? Do you remember when we were young, bananas had little black seeds? What happened? They just did it without letting us know. Now, you tell me fly rods no longer have hook keepers? What should I be telling my 8 favorite fly rods? I'm not sure they'll be able to ''handle'' it! 😂
Not convinced. A hook keep is easy and effective. Paying even more for something they just stopped doing is stupid. Like Apple removing headphone jacks to sell headphones
Well.....the good thing is.....the technique he shows here is completely and absolutely free. Wrapping around the reel like that costs nothing and nothing to buy!
I have always had hook keepers and used them, until I had kids. Teaching kids has led me to have them use guides as hook keepers. Somehow little hands and fingers find exposed hooks within a few inches of the grip, while hooks further up the rod don't cause issues. The last 3 fly rods I have build for myself and kids do not include a hook keeper.
The hook-keeper is just for tradition, and photography. Keeping the leader's fat section straight is important. Using the circumference of the reel is nice, but, very often I use the reel foot, as it keeps the leader from getting in the way of the cork grip. I know a guy who is on the lookout for a longer 'jeep' just to fit the rod vault better. As a trout fisherman, I use the rod to both hold and measure the leader, and store my fly at the tip-top, wrapped around my reel. My leaders are long, and I'm basically fishing about 20-feet of reach, in small streams that you often cross without wading, with almost exclusively monofilament.
I like keeping my leader nice and straight espesaly for the tiny flys. If my pole don't have one I stick um in the grip. Straight line is better then a tangled up mess.
@Madriveroutfitters your welcome im self taught fly fishermen lol used a regular pole at first because I used to watch a man fly fish and I wanted to do it. My dad watched me and bought me my first fly rod I did perty good I been doing it ever since May not be as smooth as most fly fishermen but I caught fish! Muddler Minnows are my favorite.
At the end of the day… (mind you I say this from the spinning/baitcasting side of things, haven’t had the time to really learn the fly fishing side of things yet)… many rod manufacturers have hook keepers on the rods… some don’t… some put them all the way on the bottom grip and it drives me insane… Personally I prefer hook keepers, all my custom rods I order with hook keepers… my float rods have them but I don’t use them because I run 8ft leaders and the float doesnt fit through the guides… I wrap the leader around the reel seat of the spinning reel and back up and hook it in the third guide support.
I'm new to fly fishing and went out with a family member a couple weeks back and they let me try out thier Orvis, he's not very far along into fly fishing himself and i went to hook the fly on the keeper...there was none. He wasn't sure why it was left off, very first thing that came to mind was that Orvis was trying to save time and money. I mean, it's not only the money factor but also the time involved to put anything extra on? If I'm to continue my adventure into fly fishing, and my leader is less than 9ft, I'll still be using the hook keeper that's on my non-Orvis rod. Bigger issue I'm facing is just how to cast and fly fish in general but it's been fun a fumblin' along
@@Madriveroutfitters Too busy wrapping and unwrapping. Just put it on the second stripper and take if off with your fingers. Bam! Your fishin'. There are lots of ways to do things in fly fishing. I like simple.
I had an old rod once, upon which I used the snake guide as described in this video. Somehow the fly managed to pull the snake guide out of its wrapping. I’m not certain of exactly how it happened, but I wasn’t being particularly careless. I would prefer a dedicated hook keeper.
Definitely want a hook keeper, Fuji has been making those same rubber hook keepers as Loon forever, I had to order them for my Tenkara rod. The convenience of a hook keeper for me overrides the wrap technique all day. Manufacturers: just put the hook keeper on the rod, please!
What are y'alls thoughts on stretching line before a day of fishing?! Would love to hear some more experienced anglers opinions on this! Thanks and be well!!
I don’t do it every time, but I definitely do it often. Helps a “memory” looped line tremendously. I pull 3’ at a time and stretch it tight until around 40 feet or so. If I fish further than that I’ll stretch that section after I cast the first 40’. Just my way. Good fishin to ya! 👍🎣 ps Cleaning a dirty line helps too. MRO has videos on that.👌
@@charlieboutin3341 Thanks! I'm largely self-taught, but I've been fly fishing for years. Still learning...which I guess is the point and the joy. I relish learning from those "further down the trail" than myself. Thanks for the advice and be well!!
@@69adrummer Me too buddy! I’ve only been at it 7 years or so with no lessons..I did win a couple casting contests in local club, but don’t like that either…Takes the fun out for me. I just really enjoy this sport. Have a great one. 🎣
Good question! We do it, watch Brian’s thoughts on it here: ruclips.net/video/HyViG_PnlUI/видео.htmlsi=DjbveM-I7L_78TF0 It’s especially good practice when the fly line is cold (winter conditions) as it tends to want to coil up. Thanks for being here!
My $500 douglas dxf 11' euro rod does not include a hook keeper. I had to put a cheap $2 one from ebay on there a couple years back. My cork was getting chewed up from putting the hooks in the cork. Other rods on the dxf line include the hook keeper. I think it depends on who is manufacturing the blanks over seas.
Thanks for sharing. Pretty sure it is dictated by the company that designs the rods and not the factory itself though. Again, stay tuned.......Brian is working on some interviews with rod companies themselves to hear their side!!! Should be fun.
On my 6wt streamer rod i just stick the hook in the fighting butt, on smaller weights i loop it around the reel and hook the fly into a guide, works great with longer leaders for dry flies, i would only do that with a full cage reel tho.
It can also kink the flyline if stored for awhile, and no amount of stretching got it out, so I had to cut off about 6". I wanted a new butt section anyway.
Or simply find someone who builds or repairs rods and have them put one of the traditional hook keepers on for you. Their cost will be 2 bucks and their time. Much better imo than that ugly add on or wrapping and using your stripping guide.
I never use a hook keeper and don't understand the fuss about it. This is for sure the better way. I like to attach my hook to the mounting legs on the furthest stripping guide (not into the guide itself). This ensures I'm also not going to have any risk of scratching the snake guides with a barb (very low risk, I know).
You’re absolutely wrong! Hook keepers are essential whether it’s a fly rod or a spinning rod and I don’t care one iota about what Orvis says, it’s all about them saving a few pennies by not whipping them on a rod. The little plastic hook keepers that you’re showing might do the job, but they’re horrible and shouldn’t be necessary. Whether it’s a £500 rod or a £25 rod, whether it’s a fly rod or a spinning rod, hook keepers should be part of the rod. Your method may be fine for you and that’s great, but I couldn’t be bothered with all that faffing around. The vast amount of comments here use hook keepers 👍🏻
Wrong about what? Didn't he say that you could use one if you want? He is just showing a few methods to overcome if your rod doesn't have one. Jeesh. Maybe watch again and not get so faffed?
Just had one built, I have one on mine. Yes, the companies stopped because they didn’t understand how important they were. I use mine when I’m changing my dropper. Easy. I hook my top fly on it, while I’m doing stuff. Wrap all my stuff up ?
I wrap a piece of small 1/2" wide piece of EVA foam at the bottom of my rod with a rubber band which is my hook keeper (regardless if the rod came with a hook keeper). This way I can have a leader the full length of my rod without any kinks. I hate kinks. Superior to anything else.
I’d agree that hook keepers are bad for longer term storage as they’ll put a kink in the leader at the rod tip. But for briefly securing things while moving around and changing spots and such, that’s a non-issue. And I can’t imagine how folks are managing to bust rods with them. I use hook keepers all the time on my rods when I’m on the water, never had an issue with them. If rod manufacturers don’t want to add them, that’s fine, but we don’t need to pretend like hook keepers were a categorically bad idea purely to validate a manufacturers choice. It’s a design decision that can go either way. They have their pros and cons, but generally work just fine.
I prefer cheaper rods for this reason. Most of my guiding is with beginners from spin fishing, a hook guide makes sense to them! Follow conventional fishing, they are so far ahead of us.
Every rod should have hook keeper. It's fast and convenient. When it works, it works great. I haven't seen reasons to not have one. Does the flex get worse or something? But 1. companies ARE cheap; 2. they are competing for every 1/16 ounce to have the lightest rod. Loon outdoors - cool accessories. As for myself I just avoid buying rods without hook keepers. Also of all the fisherman fly in particular should know how to add one.
Thanks for watching. Reality: not all rods have hook keepers and most rod companies are NOT cheap. Cool thing: you can choose a rod based on hook keeper or not. Loon Outdoors: cool company.
I build very nice custom fly rods and dont put a hook keeper unless it's asked for. I prefer to have my fly line out of the tip top, the tippet around the reel, and the fly hooked on the first or second guide
It still seems like an obvious attempt to cust costs to me. Otherwise, why wouldn't manufacturers simply install them and leave it up to anglers to decide whether to use them or not...?
The fly line occasionally gets caught on the hook keeper when shooting line on long casts. And the better method is how you explain by wrapping the leader around the reel, especially when the leader is longer than the rod
They are necessary. Wrapping around the reel and back to a guide often doesn't work where I fish in tight brush. I recently purchased a new rod without a hook keeper and now I'm constantly getting tangled and twisted in the bushes. Its frankly a right pain in the ass. Come fish with me on the west coast in New Zealand and tell me they arent necessary.
Necessary for you.....we get that....and that's ok. Come fishing with us on a boat, freshwater or saltwater, and we'll show you that they are not required (which he just did). The cool thing is.....we have options!!! Thanks for watching.
The biggest problem with hook keepers is that they are located in the wrong spot, usually at the balance point of the rod and reel. Which is right where it's natural to grab it to carry it. So - when you grab it and you grab 3 treble hooks. Move the hook keepers!
Not sure how more steps, is easier than less steps, but I guess im bad at math. You can sink your tippet into your reel doing this, speaking of tangles.
I disagree with everything you just said. Don't tell me I don't need a hook keeper. If you want to say there is an alternative method, no matter how tortured and convoluted it is, fine. But don't presume to tell me what I do and don't need.
Heres the real controversy: Why don't some high end rods come wkth alignment dots? Who cares it it makes the rod look less elegant and premium, it's practical and saves time.
I don't like hook keepers and remove them from all my rods. Whenever I'm not actively fishing, even if it's for 30 or 60 seconds to make my way up river, I fully remove my leader and flies from my rig and wind my leader on a spare spool. I never have to deal with even the possibility of an extremely minor kink in my leader that would hopelessly ruin my entire day of fishing. I often lay awake at night in bed for hours, motionless and sleepless, just at the thought of a minor kink in my leader.😆
A hook keeper is never an eyelet but an eyelet is always a hook keeper
Permission to get this tattooed on Brian’s arm?
Well played sir
I like to keep my eyelets free of nicks. Glad it works for you.
@@d3adp94doesn’t nick the eyelet if you put it on the arm 👍🏾
@@keanandarnell8709 eyelet is an eyelet. He didn’t say arm. You’re arguing to argue. 🙄
All my old rods came with hook keepers, love it, nice convience.
@@yardboy3955 Thanks for watching.
I build all my own rods and put hook keepers on every one of them. I disagree with most companies discontinuing putting them on their rods. Let us have the option.
For sure! Thanks for being here and for watching.
😂😂😂
@@Spellcheekswammablammawatchu laughing at
Same for me! I also would not buy a rod that doesn’t have one. Isn’t it like a couple bucks for a dozen of them?
@@JTitula let the consumer decide… yes super inexpensive. Bike industry, Car industry (electric cars) and now fly rod companies telling us what we need and why…. Don’t give in!
I saw a friend doing that but didn’t notice the trick to release the hook off the rod. it’s efficient and has a coolness plus even. Amazing!! Thank you for sharing!
Thanks for watching! Definitely has a coolness factor 😉
A New York State fishing guide showed me this a few years back. Works great.
You're just full of solutions. Thanks Brian, will definitely use this method.
Thanks for being here! Let us know how it turns out.
Great tip guys. Wrapping around the reel and connecting above the stripping guide rocks. Thanks,
@@michaelserlet77 Thanks for watching.
But you don´t wanna do that when fishing a sinking line and short leader. Than a hook keeper comes in very handy.
@ Actually we do it all the time with sink tips and it works very well.
I fish every way. My spin and baitcast rods from Japan never have hook keepers, which is a bummer because I like keepers. Been using the add on keepers for many years. The method you show for a fly rod makes total sense. Thx
Thanks for being here! The hook holder addons work great.
My only issue is with heavier rods that don’t come with keepers… the add on keepers don’t always come with rubber rings large enough to accommodate some heavy and xheavy rods… thankfully most of my stuff is ultralight or light with some mediums and only the occasional heavy or xheavy.
@@savannahhirano Thanks for watching.
I have been fly fishing for 40 years and all of my rods had hook keepers until I got my Orvis Recon last year. I was completely shocked to see no hook keeper on a $700 rod. I have been doing the wrap around trick for decades, but I still want a hook keeper on my rod for those times when they are useful. They should be on every rod as an essential part of the rod like the grip and guides. Don’t tell me they are no longer on the rods because they aren’t needed. We all know why rod companies aren’t putting them on. It’s like back in the 80’s when car companies were only putting mirrors on the driver side door. Remember that? How stupid. Now the mirrors are back on both doors like they should be. Spend the extra money it takes to install hook keepers please and stop being so damn cheap.
We can promise you that we have spoken to many of the companies about this subject....including Shawn Combs at Orvis. It's not because they are cheap. It's because most people don't use them, they aren't needed and there are better ways. If you like them, that's fine....as Brian say here. Maybe you should have checked before you bought that $600 rod if it was so important to you. (If you paid $700....you paid $100 too much).
@@Madriveroutfitters The rod was a gift and I wouldn’t have bought it. If nobody uses them then why are there so many people in the comments asking for them?
@@destroyingdadxx2274 Well, he didn’t say that nobody uses them now did he? Simply stating that if you don’t have one, there are other ways.
@@Madriveroutfitters its 100% because they are cheap. You have to say that because you are in business with them. That's like you saying Loon is an innovative company- when in reality they are a hack company dipping chinese and pakistani steel tools in black and yellow paint
HA! My Brother's newer BMW X5... doesn't have a _SPARE TIRE_ or even a good SPOT to stow one even if you _wanted_ one! Sure, the odds are very slim you'll need a spare tire once in even a decade or two, but guess who ran over a big bolt that fell off a truck up ahead which promptly added a giant new "air duct" in his tire? And on a labor day weekend to boot, so there _"the ultimate driving machine"_ SAT until Tuesday!🤣
Yes you can wrap it around and put it on a guide. Do that with real long leader. But try going through brush and find that line wrapped around the reel comes off and fly comes off and you can have a mess. Some even have a hole in the reel seat for flies. You will never find my bamboo rods without hook keepers. It’s like cork grips.
As Brian says in the video....."This is Umerica". You are free to use them of course. He was just offering an alternative if you don't have one. (If you button it up as he shows....it won't come off by the way). Thanks for watching.
Thanks for posting. I was just yesterday bitchin' about the fact that my new Orvis lacked a hook keeper as I was meandering through my favorite trout river. Count me among those that thought that fly rod manufacturers were just being cheap. I don't necessarily agree that the hook keepers are "un-necessary" but I'm going to give your options a try before buying the Loon product.
Definitely give it a shot and let us know what you think. The Hook Holder from loon is always a good option if you like the simplest route!
God, thank you, Brian. That tip about going around the reel will keep my leader out of the guides between holes. My BIGGEST pet peeve. Thank you. I am self-taught watching you guys and a few others.
Thanks so much for being here.
As a rod builder, it is 100% about manufacturing costs. Same with split-grips and one piece rods.
@@ryanwilson5936 So Orvis is doing it to save .33 on a $1300 rod? Sorry but doesn’t add up. Again, stay tuned for a follow up. Brian will report on what the rod companies have told him directly on this subject.
@@Madriveroutfitters
Yes. It’s all about volume. It adds up. Especially for a company as big as Orvis. I don’t care what they tell you. It’s always about money.
($0.33 per rod + install time)x thousands of rods = lots of savings=corporate priority
Orvis will do what all corporations do ...explain away their profit notice as a benevolent act on behalf of the consumer. It never is such.
Orvis will put them on their rods if enough customers buy other brands that have them. Otherwise, they will tell you you don't need it.
I got my degree in business, and my father taught production and supply chain management....this is business 101.
@@stevescuba1978 it's not so much the few pennies in materials, it's the _dollars_ it eats up per hour from the labor cost to install. Time is money.
Excellent video. Second benefit to the way you hook up your line - it keeps the fly line out the tip-top, ensuring that you can cast more easily and quickly when the time comes. You don't have to pull on the leader to get the fly line out. For those who fish a second fly on a tag, you can slip an orthodontic rubber band over the end of the section of the rod where the tag fly is located when you've got the line hooked up, and then slip the hook on the tag fly under the rubber band. That keeps the tag fly from tangling while you walk to the next fishing hole.
Thanks for being here.
I learnt this method 20 years ago in New Zealand and have never looked back. The simple explanation for this is as soon as your ready to fish you already have enough line out the top of the rod to start casting, I’ve just found it’s easier and more convenient. Just my 2cents worth , give it a go and see what you think. 🙏🎣
Thanks for sharing! Helps on the quickdraw. Thanks for being here!
Agree. I've been doing this for decades down here in NZ.
Where I live and fish in NZ you often can't do this in the thick brush alongside river and you absolutely need a hook keeper. I just bought a rod without one and my god what a pain in the ass.
So glad you explained this to the masses.
Thanks for being here!
Oh my gosh THANK YOU! As a noob this was so helpful as my search for rods has just begun and I had negative impressions of some very fine rods for a ridiculous reason. Feeling sheepish rn 🤣
Thanks for watching!
Love your videos! Always learn something. Keep 'em coming please! 😊
@@christinedouglas1092 Thanks for being here. As long as folks keep supporting the shop, we’ll keep making videos!!!
I have used the snake guide-reel wrap method for decades. Not exclusively. I still want a hook keeper. My newest rod (purchased this year) has one. I use them. I expect to continue to use them.
As Brian says in the video (and Flip)......"This is Umerica".
Ingenious. I'm going to give it a try and likely adopt it.
Thanks for watching.
Awesome! Thanks for the information, you are a genius! The tips and tricks locked up in that head of yours must be to numerous to count. Love you content!
Thanks for being here friend!
I always believed a rod with a hook keeper is a complete rod. It's like that little bit of extra aesthetic that says, you may not need or want it, but we're thinking about you if you do.
If it makes you feel good, then by all means.....you should get rods that have hook keepers! Thanks for watching.
Thank you for sharing good information. Good stuff.
@@glennbuscher8003 Thanks for watching.
If rod manufacturers are not being cheap, then why not just keep the hook keeper there and let the fisherman decide? You performed that demonstration with an enormous hook, probably for demonstration purposes. But, a new Orvis rod I bought, didn't have a hook keeper. Out of desparation I tried attaching it to the snake guide, and my size 18 hook kept falling off. It was a pain. I gave up, held the hook carefully between my thumb/forefinger while holding the rod. If it ain't broke, do not fix it. Were there thousands of customers screaming to have the hook keep removed? I doubt it. Which makes the decision to remove it sound 'fishy'.
That’s a great point. Thanks for watching!
If it were only that simple. It’s not that manufacturers are being cheap. They are being cost-effective for the consumer, simple device like a rod holder, increases the complexity and manufacturer-ability of a rod, thereby adding time ,labor, and all the other cost associated with it for something that truly is unnecessary.
I bought the Loon hook keepers from Mad River, works great!
We’re big fans! Thanks for being here.
I have a Echo Stillwater without a hook keeper wish it did. Wonderful float tube rod. It casts sinking lines with ease. Great stillwater rod design Rajeff.
@@Oakcrick55 Thanks for watching.
I only use the hook keeper for streamers. As typically the leader is less than 9ft long. For everything else I use the method of running around the reel and back up to a snake guide.
@@flyfishing51fifty Thanks for watching!
A guide showed me the wrap around your reel and hook your fly to the stripping guide closest to the reel several years ago. Haven’t done it any other way since.
Depending on the length of my leader, I hook it up the rod as far as I can reach, not just the first stripping guide. I can accommodate up to about 15 foot leader that way.
@@flyguy2021 That's the same way I do it, just to have as much line out as I can for when I cast next time.
Besides the comfort of it, I hate having the fly this close to the handle; less chance of me accidentally grabbing it.
Thanks for watching!
My dad's old fly rod from the 1970's didn't have a hook keeper on it.
I just gave him my two #5 fly rods for bluegill fishing. I added hook keepers to both of them and used nail polish finisher that my girlfriend had to deal them like twenty years ago
She is no longer around but the fly rods were
@@madtownangler So glad we have options! Thanks for watching.
I gave it all up and mostly use Tenkara Rods. Watched a video here by Ryan, and been hooked ever since.
@@adamw8469 Thanks for being here!
When fishing with sink tips/sinking lines using short leaders hook keepers are indeed practical. That allows you to keep everything in place while you have enough line out of the tip ring.
@@FlyFishingChronicles Thanks for watching!
Hook keeper is essential for a mobile, wading, small river angler. It is a PITA when using a rod w/o it, for that situation. They don't negatively affect any aspect of fishing. The lone exception being wrapping the belly of the line around it when aggressively shooting line. But, if you are properly controlling your line belly with your off-hand it is a non-issue. I know that is is personal preference and that there are no "rules", but fishing with a rod without a hook keeper, personally makes me crazy. Good to know about the Loon product, I had somehow overlooked it. Provides me a solution to a minor irritation I have with a couple of rods that I have.
Thanks for sharing and thanks for being here. Appreciate the non-combative approach!
I typically use the leg of the first stripping guide for the fly hook. On spinningt rods however that little hook holder is amazing.
Try it on a snake guide and presto......tap the rod and you are ready to go!
Another hint. If you are fishing with two flies just put a asparagus rubber band (thick) on the end of the first section of the rod and hook your dropper fly onto that while the point fly goes on the snake guide.
@@sgrahammd Nice! Thanks for sharing. Headed out for asparagus now.
Great tip!! Thank you.
Thanks for being here.
We always break our rods down and take those darn sharp pointy things off for transit, less temptation for Murphy's law to rear thy head! To bundle the rod segments up I use two of those little Velcro tie strips typically used for cable management behind your TV, desktop computers, home audio or even just keeping those random hoards of USB cables tidy when not in use.
@@macgyver5108 Thanks for watching and thanks for sharing.
For the cheap ones out there, you can make your own hook keeper with a paper clip. Just cut one side off, creating a round crown staple looking fixture, anywhere from a 1/2 -1 inch long. Take a pair of needle nose pliers and bend the tip at a 45-90 degree angle. Then take the two ends, use your favorite adhesive and press them in between the rod and cork handle until only the bend is visible. Let it dry for a couple hours and presto a hook keeper.
Presto! Thanks for sharing. We have shown a similar technique on Tenkara rods as well. Brian would probably incorporate Duct tape for sure!!!!
I hate rods without hook keepers. it's so inconvenient. I understand the reason when you using 9' rod with 9' leaders and kink problem. But not all rods are 9' neither leaders. My main rod is 11' euro rod with mono rig (thin long leader which is longer than rod length), so the kink issue is irrelevant. and when you have 2-3 flies on your rig, there's always not enough guides to secure it, so extra keeper would be helpful. Also, some hooks are tiny, they can't be reliably secured in snake guides , often falling off when you walking. Single foot guides are better in this aspect
@@awaken77 Thanks for sharing and thanks for watching.
Cool. I’ve been using a hook keeper, but I like your method better. Especially for a longer leader.
@@coreyreeder3549 Thanks for being here!
My last guide had me putting the line around the reel just like that. But he also has me using the side of the stripping guides for the hook, doesn’t damage the ceramic. Not sure why vs using the snake guide but I find it best not to argue with him :)
Also another option! Just have to make sure not to damage those stripping guides. Thanks for being here!
We made Brian have to make an "Alright you fools. Can't have you guys thinking i don't know what's up." Video. Shame on us. He was just having some fun when he made the hook keeper video.
Hah, thanks for being here!
I've always preferred your "better way"
Thanks for watching! It works great.
Every fly rod I build has a hook keeper. All 104 of them... 😁
So we can assuredly say that you’re keeping the hook keepers?
Yeah, probably. I'd rather put a kink in the leader than the line. But I understand your point Thanks for asking! 😊 Keep up the great work! 💗
@@Madriveroutfitters the hook keeper keeper
Generally speaking, I only use the factory hook keeper to hold a fly while I strip line to prepare for a cast. Otherwise, I stow as you described via an eyelet.
That’s a good use for it. Thanks for being here!
I leave them off, but offer them to my clients. Most folks like the visual detail on a bamboo rod. Everett Garrison tells a story of one of his clients putting a salmon fly into their hand in a fall as it was so close to the hand in the hook keeper.
Good to have options! Thanks for being here.
Had to disassemble/cut apart a large popping bug from a customer's hand once, while still attached to the fly rod as it was though the hook keeper. Worst part is he had picked up the rod in the am almost an hour before we picked the clients up, and somehow stumbled or bumped his hand and hooked himself in the meat of his palm. Sat patiently waiting for is to come and remove it. He wanted us to cit the hook keeper off to make it easier, but I'm a fan of them Especially for bass fishing. He was not stoked as I carefully dismantled the fly so we could thread it back through the hook keeper before performing the string trick! The thread and superglue covered zig zag shank of the popping bug hook added insult to injury threading back through the keeper while pinned in his hand...
I like hook keepers and do use them. I typically include them on the rods I build. I'm not lost without them though. There's always a place to hook a hook. Is that a pun? Sometimes I'll use the reel seat or a guide. To avoid damage to the ceramic, I attach the hook at the base. Regardless, I'll make a couple of wraps around the rod with the line to keep it close to the blank.
Thanks for watching! Pretty sure that's what he's showing here?
I learned the wrap atound from a lefty kreh video decades ago, but i still use the hook keeper, not the first eye.
I'll spend the extra few bucks for the manufacturer to put one on properly
Thanks for watching!
I quit using the hook keepers on my rods when I started using ultralight spinning gear. To get enough tension to keep the hook in place, you had to crank down enough to bend the tip over 45 to 60 degrees. Not something I wanted to do to my rods.
Thanks for being here! Save the rod tips.
Thanks, Brian😉☕️☕️
Cheers! Thanks for being here.
Nice one how come I never thought of that one lol 😮
Thanks for watching.
If the hook keeper is U shaped, is it a ring? This is a conundrum similar to pondering if a hot dog is a sandwhich.
@@scots2129 Great point! Thanks for watching.
@@Madriveroutfitters for the record I would call it a ring but I would not call a hot dog a sandwich
@@scots2129 Let’s go with “Hook Keeper” and “Hot Dog”. 👍
@@Madriveroutfitters agreed. Also, the deal where you wound the leader and line around the snake guide (to keep it tidy) is genius. Thank you
@@scots2129 Taught to him by Flip…..many moons ago.
Thank you.
Thanks for being here!
Not a fly fisherman but I just push my hooks into corq or foam grip if there is no hook holder unless they are trebles. I do think there should be one, but on rods that don't have them, there are always options like eyelet holder / carrier / arm (the thing that holds eyelet to the rod), never put hooks through eyelets because it can scrape them, ruin your line and your casting distance.
@@burneracc2567 Thanks for watching!
Recently purchased a rod without a hook keeper. Depending on what I’m fishing, I’ll choke up on rod a little. When I picked up my other rod with a hook keeper I noticed it started bugging me bc it’s now in the place where my fingers are. Not sure if that’s just a me thing or if others also experience this
Don’t choke up too far haha thanks for watching!
I've been doing this for the last 30 plus years and have never used a hook keeper since a mate of mine showed me this on the riverbank. So much easier ...
Appreciate you being here.
Brian? Do you remember when we were young, bananas had little black seeds? What happened? They just did it without letting us know.
Now, you tell me fly rods no longer have hook keepers? What should I be telling my 8 favorite fly rods? I'm not sure they'll be able to ''handle'' it! 😂
Some....not all. Some rods have them, some don't. We don't judge around here....."All fly rods matter".
@@Madriveroutfitters who is commenting this crap? They should be fired
Not convinced. A hook keep is easy and effective. Paying even more for something they just stopped doing is stupid. Like Apple removing headphone jacks to sell headphones
Well.....the good thing is.....the technique he shows here is completely and absolutely free. Wrapping around the reel like that costs nothing and nothing to buy!
I have always had hook keepers and used them, until I had kids.
Teaching kids has led me to have them use guides as hook keepers.
Somehow little hands and fingers find exposed hooks within a few inches of the grip, while hooks further up the rod don't cause issues.
The last 3 fly rods I have build for myself and kids do not include a hook keeper.
Wow....that's one we haven't heard of nor thought of. Thanks for sharing.
The hook-keeper is just for tradition, and photography. Keeping the leader's fat section straight is important. Using the circumference of the reel is nice, but, very often I use the reel foot, as it keeps the leader from getting in the way of the cork grip. I know a guy who is on the lookout for a longer 'jeep' just to fit the rod vault better. As a trout fisherman, I use the rod to both hold and measure the leader, and store my fly at the tip-top, wrapped around my reel. My leaders are long, and I'm basically fishing about 20-feet of reach, in small streams that you often cross without wading, with almost exclusively monofilament.
Exactly, you really want to avoid kinking the leader. Thanks for watching!
I like keeping my leader nice and straight espesaly for the tiny flys. If my pole don't have one I stick um in the grip. Straight line is better then a tangled up mess.
@@johns3544 Thanks for being here!
@Madriveroutfitters your welcome im self taught fly fishermen lol used a regular pole at first because I used to watch a man fly fish and I wanted to do it. My dad watched me and bought me my first fly rod I did perty good I been doing it ever since May not be as smooth as most fly fishermen but I caught fish! Muddler Minnows are my favorite.
Can you do an echo boost blue fly rod review? Thanks. Looking to compare the axiom 2x or blitz to the echo boost blue
Stay tuned! If you want Brian’s thoughts send him an email at admin@madriveroutfitters.com
At the end of the day… (mind you I say this from the spinning/baitcasting side of things, haven’t had the time to really learn the fly fishing side of things yet)… many rod manufacturers have hook keepers on the rods… some don’t… some put them all the way on the bottom grip and it drives me insane…
Personally I prefer hook keepers, all my custom rods I order with hook keepers… my float rods have them but I don’t use them because I run 8ft leaders and the float doesnt fit through the guides… I wrap the leader around the reel seat of the spinning reel and back up and hook it in the third guide support.
@@savannahhirano Thanks for watching!
I'm new to fly fishing and went out with a family member a couple weeks back and they let me try out thier Orvis, he's not very far along into fly fishing himself and i went to hook the fly on the keeper...there was none. He wasn't sure why it was left off, very first thing that came to mind was that Orvis was trying to save time and money. I mean, it's not only the money factor but also the time involved to put anything extra on?
If I'm to continue my adventure into fly fishing, and my leader is less than 9ft, I'll still be using the hook keeper that's on my non-Orvis rod. Bigger issue I'm facing is just how to cast and fly fish in general but it's been fun a fumblin' along
@@PittPens6866 Thanks for being here!
You can put your fly on a stripping guide. If you don't want it on the ceramic insert, just put in on the frame.
True but the trick he shows at the end....to get the fly free....works much, much better if up on a snake guide. We promise.
@@Madriveroutfitters Too busy wrapping and unwrapping. Just put it on the second stripper and take if off with your fingers. Bam! Your fishin'. There are lots of ways to do things in fly fishing. I like simple.
@@williamgunn1076 We agree! Simple is better.
I had an old rod once, upon which I used the snake guide as described in this video. Somehow the fly managed to pull the snake guide out of its wrapping. I’m not certain of exactly how it happened, but I wasn’t being particularly careless.
I would prefer a dedicated hook keeper.
Who knows what happened! Either way, good argument for hook keepers. Thanks for being here!
Definitely want a hook keeper, Fuji has been making those same rubber hook keepers as Loon forever, I had to order them for my Tenkara rod. The convenience of a hook keeper for me overrides the wrap technique all day. Manufacturers: just put the hook keeper on the rod, please!
@@buckeyefly1 Thanks for watching. So glad we have options!! That way we can all be happy and have fun!!
Been doing this for years. Who would have thunk it😊
Thanks for watching.
What are y'alls thoughts on stretching line before a day of fishing?!
Would love to hear some more experienced anglers opinions on this!
Thanks and be well!!
I don’t do it every time, but I definitely do it often. Helps a “memory” looped line tremendously. I pull 3’ at a time and stretch it tight until around 40 feet or so. If I fish further than that I’ll stretch that section after I cast the first 40’. Just my way. Good fishin to ya! 👍🎣 ps Cleaning a dirty line helps too. MRO has videos on that.👌
@@charlieboutin3341 Thanks! I'm largely self-taught, but I've been fly fishing for years. Still learning...which I guess is the point and the joy. I relish learning from those "further down the trail" than myself.
Thanks for the advice and be well!!
@@69adrummer Me too buddy! I’ve only been at it 7 years or so with no lessons..I did win a couple casting contests in local club, but don’t like that either…Takes the fun out for me. I just really enjoy this sport. Have a great one. 🎣
Good question! We do it, watch Brian’s thoughts on it here: ruclips.net/video/HyViG_PnlUI/видео.htmlsi=DjbveM-I7L_78TF0
It’s especially good practice when the fly line is cold (winter conditions) as it tends to want to coil up. Thanks for being here!
For sure stretch the line and especially the leader. It only takes 30 seconds max.
My $500 douglas dxf 11' euro rod does not include a hook keeper. I had to put a cheap $2 one from ebay on there a couple years back. My cork was getting chewed up from putting the hooks in the cork. Other rods on the dxf line include the hook keeper. I think it depends on who is manufacturing the blanks over seas.
Thanks for sharing. Pretty sure it is dictated by the company that designs the rods and not the factory itself though. Again, stay tuned.......Brian is working on some interviews with rod companies themselves to hear their side!!! Should be fun.
On my 6wt streamer rod i just stick the hook in the fighting butt, on smaller weights i loop it around the reel and hook the fly into a guide, works great with longer leaders for dry flies, i would only do that with a full cage reel tho.
If it works, it works! Some folks don’t like to do that with their fighting butt and we don’t blame em. Thanks for watching as always!
It can also kink the flyline if stored for awhile, and no amount of stretching got it out, so I had to cut off about 6". I wanted a new butt section anyway.
@@danadriscoll6437 Correct! Not for storage. Just for transport.
Or simply find someone who builds or repairs rods and have them put one of the traditional hook keepers on for you. Their cost will be 2 bucks and their time. Much better imo than that ugly add on or wrapping and using your stripping guide.
That’s a great suggestion! Thanks for being here.
No problem for me! Don't buy a$900 rod without them. My Wrangler has a dandy one and casts just as dandy as any other rod.
Thanks for being here!
I never use a hook keeper and don't understand the fuss about it. This is for sure the better way. I like to attach my hook to the mounting legs on the furthest stripping guide (not into the guide itself). This ensures I'm also not going to have any risk of scratching the snake guides with a barb (very low risk, I know).
@@johndunn1078 Thanks for being here. The snake guide part allows for the release trick at the end.
You’re absolutely wrong! Hook keepers are essential whether it’s a fly rod or a spinning rod and I don’t care one iota about what Orvis says, it’s all about them saving a few pennies by not whipping them on a rod. The little plastic hook keepers that you’re showing might do the job, but they’re horrible and shouldn’t be necessary. Whether it’s a £500 rod or a £25 rod, whether it’s a fly rod or a spinning rod, hook keepers should be part of the rod. Your method may be fine for you and that’s great, but I couldn’t be bothered with all that faffing around.
The vast amount of comments here use hook keepers 👍🏻
Wrong about what? Didn't he say that you could use one if you want? He is just showing a few methods to overcome if your rod doesn't have one. Jeesh. Maybe watch again and not get so faffed?
I make my rods without a hook keeper (unless a customer insists). A hook keeper is an unneeded solution for something that is not a problem.
Thanks for watching. Some do.....some don't. Isn't that from a song?
Just had one built, I have one on mine. Yes, the companies stopped because they didn’t understand how important they were. I use mine when I’m changing my dropper. Easy. I hook my top fly on it, while I’m doing stuff. Wrap all my stuff up ?
That's just not true. Stay tuned......Brian has interviewed many rod designers and company reps and you will soon hear the truth.
If you are drop shop nymphing you can wedge the shot in the stripping guide.
Thanks for watching.
I wrap a piece of small 1/2" wide piece of EVA foam at the bottom of my rod with a rubber band which is my hook keeper (regardless if the rod came with a hook keeper). This way I can have a leader the full length of my rod without any kinks. I hate kinks. Superior to anything else.
Thanks for sharing and watching!
I’d agree that hook keepers are bad for longer term storage as they’ll put a kink in the leader at the rod tip. But for briefly securing things while moving around and changing spots and such, that’s a non-issue. And I can’t imagine how folks are managing to bust rods with them. I use hook keepers all the time on my rods when I’m on the water, never had an issue with them. If rod manufacturers don’t want to add them, that’s fine, but we don’t need to pretend like hook keepers were a categorically bad idea purely to validate a manufacturers choice. It’s a design decision that can go either way. They have their pros and cons, but generally work just fine.
Exactly. Thanks for watching!
Appreciate the education. But I like my hook keeper, much faster to untangle than the demo
Thanks for being here. Exactly why you can keep using it if you like. "This is Umerica".
I prefer cheaper rods for this reason. Most of my guiding is with beginners from spin fishing, a hook guide makes sense to them! Follow conventional fishing, they are so far ahead of us.
@@SmallmouthAddict Thanks for watching.
Every rod should have hook keeper. It's fast and convenient. When it works, it works great. I haven't seen reasons to not have one. Does the flex get worse or something?
But 1. companies ARE cheap; 2. they are competing for every 1/16 ounce to have the lightest rod.
Loon outdoors - cool accessories. As for myself I just avoid buying rods without hook keepers. Also of all the fisherman fly in particular should know how to add one.
Thanks for watching. Reality: not all rods have hook keepers and most rod companies are NOT cheap. Cool thing: you can choose a rod based on hook keeper or not. Loon Outdoors: cool company.
I build very nice custom fly rods and dont put a hook keeper unless it's asked for. I prefer to have my fly line out of the tip top, the tippet around the reel, and the fly hooked on the first or second guide
@@chrisyork2376 as in the video? Thanks for being here.
@@Madriveroutfitters exactly like the video.
The real reason is ditching a hook keeper is an easy way to cut some grams off of the rod weight without doing anything.
@@Raevenswood According to the manufacturers, that is not true.
@ of course 😉
Always stuck my hook in the cork handle. G
Your rod, your rules! Thanks for being here.
It still seems like an obvious attempt to cust costs to me. Otherwise, why wouldn't manufacturers simply install them and leave it up to anglers to decide whether to use them or not...?
Brian has spoken to many of the rod companies as to exactly why and will be doing a follow-up video. Stay tuned......for some facts.
The fly line occasionally gets caught on the hook keeper when shooting line on long casts. And the better method is how you explain by wrapping the leader around the reel, especially when the leader is longer than the rod
Thanks for watching! Glad you found it helpful.
They are necessary. Wrapping around the reel and back to a guide often doesn't work where I fish in tight brush. I recently purchased a new rod without a hook keeper and now I'm constantly getting tangled and twisted in the bushes. Its frankly a right pain in the ass. Come fish with me on the west coast in New Zealand and tell me they arent necessary.
Necessary for you.....we get that....and that's ok. Come fishing with us on a boat, freshwater or saltwater, and we'll show you that they are not required (which he just did). The cool thing is.....we have options!!! Thanks for watching.
I use the guides as keepers even on my rods that have an actual keeper. Just a muscle memory thing.
Thanks for being here!
If you don’t think a rod company is saving money by not putting a hook saver on.
@@douglasrandall6737 Follow up coming. Brian has interviewed many and as suspected, they do not do it to “save money”.
The biggest problem with hook keepers is that they are located in the wrong spot, usually at the balance point of the rod and reel. Which is right where it's natural to grab it to carry it. So - when you grab it and you grab 3 treble hooks. Move the hook keepers!
That's one of the cool things about the Loon product. Can be placed most anywhere. Thanks for watching.
@@Madriveroutfitters exactly, much needed!
Not sure how more steps, is easier than less steps, but I guess im bad at math.
You can sink your tippet into your reel doing this, speaking of tangles.
Which is why he suggested you go around the back of the reel. He actually mentions this in the video. Thanks for watching.
I disagree with everything you just said. Don't tell me I don't need a hook keeper. If you want to say there is an alternative method, no matter how tortured and convoluted it is, fine. But don't presume to tell me what I do and don't need.
You don’t need a hook keeper. Promise.
@@Madriveroutfitters hee hee hee😆
Heres the real controversy: Why don't some high end rods come wkth alignment dots? Who cares it it makes the rod look less elegant and premium, it's practical and saves time.
Will pass along to Brian and hopefully he'll include it in his upcoming discussions with rod manufacturers. Stay tuned!
Isn’t the folding mechanism also a lock when in use.
Most certainly could be! Thanks for watching.
I don't like hook keepers and remove them from all my rods. Whenever I'm not actively fishing, even if it's for 30 or 60 seconds to make my way up river, I fully remove my leader and flies from my rig and wind my leader on a spare spool. I never have to deal with even the possibility of an extremely minor kink in my leader that would hopelessly ruin my entire day of fishing. I often lay awake at night in bed for hours, motionless and sleepless, just at the thought of a minor kink in my leader.😆
Thanks for being here.
Son of a gun, I have been doing something correct for years and didn't know it.
It is confirmed. Thanks for being here!
I like the button up idea. I've been around the reel for a while, but never buttoned them up.
Give it a shot, let us know what you think. Thanks for watching!
I don"t use the hook keeper anyway. use the leg of the first guide .
That can work too. Thanks for being here!
There's almost nothing as easy and fast than to just bend a bit of wire and attach it with superglue and braid
@@moonliteX Probably true! Thanks for watching.