Putting it bluntly, while there now exists a plethora of manufacturers providing a similarly styled hook, the Tiemco 200R still remains the best in this hook design. For my style of tying (and fishing), imitations seem to have consistently tweaked something in the design that just doesn't work for me. Is it the cheapest? No. Does it have the "best" steel? Not necessarily. However, the TMC 200R has the best combination of features.

-- Features --

As noted in my reviews of other Tiemco hooks, Tiemco (abbreviated as TMC) is a brand name for specialty fly tying hooks and, now, tools. Made in Japan, Tiemco hooks have chemically sharpened points, come in a variety of styles, and have some of the best steel used in fly tying hooks. (I've been given to understand that Daiichi uses the 'best' steel vis a vis competitors; but, they do not have the variety or same models of hooks as Tiemco. And, Tiemco's steel is very close in terms of quality.) Umpqua Feather Merchants is the exclusive distributor in North America.

'TMC' is the abbreviation used by Tiemco as part of their hook model designation. Note this carefully. A couple of companies/retailers/manufacturers are currently using the Tiemco numeric identification portion of their model designations as identifiers for their own versions of a particular hook style; e.g., TAR 200 and TFS 200 to identify their TMC 200 equivalent. It is easy to misread - isn't it?

The TMC 200R is listed as follows:

Nymphs & Dry Flies, Straight Eye, Standard Wire, 3X Long, Semi-Dropped Point, Forged, Bronze

The terms 'bronze' and 'forged' are fairly self-explanatory (bronze finish and forged steel). 'Straight eye' simply means that the hook eye does not bend up or down, but extends straight with the shank. The TMC 200R is also a very popular hook style for both nymphs and dries (more on that momentarily).

In simple terms, there are 'light,' 'standard,' and 'heavy' wire hooks. 'Standard' is just that - the average standard or benchmark. Wire that is 'lighter' or 'heavier' in terms of weight/diameter of the shank is designated by a numbered "X" either side of this standard. (Some companies substitute the term 'strong' for heavy, fine, light, etc. Though they are presumed to be roughly equivalent, there is meaning to the differences in 'strong' vs. 'heavy,' but that's a different discussion for a different product.) The 200R is labeled as "standard wire," which partly explains its suitability for both nymphs and dries.

The TMC 200R is noted as "3X Long." This means that the shank of the hook (that portion between the eye and the bend), is three hook eye-lengths longer than standard. (At least that's the way I learned it. Others will cite other measurements. But, they all work out to be just about exactly the same.) With the straight eye configuration, this 'long shank' makes the hook suitable for some streamers (by and large, true "streamer" flies are artistic, impressionistic, and oh-so-colorful imitations of minnows).

Many streamer patterns call for hooks which are anywhere from 4X - 6X long. One issue with these longer shanks is that, even if they are made extremely stiff or heavy, the angle of pull exerted by the leader/tippet on the eye while setting the hook and playing the fish is too far away from the top of the hook bend (the point of greatest stress or the 'lever' point). In a nutshell, while the hook shanks longer than 3X may allow for a more realistic "impression" of the food source, they can also negatively impact the hook's effectiveness.

With the 200R, the semi-drop point (bend of the hook) somewhat mitigates this problem. However, there are a couple of issues when using this hook for 'streamers.' First, the shank is slightly curved as it approaches the bend. The 3X length incorporates this curve; unlike normal 'streamer' hooks, which are typically straight shanked. This means that you will have to tie the pattern "short" (i.e., on the straightest part of the shank and not into the curve) or be desirous of the slightly different look and action inherent in the curved body. It's not that this is a bad thing, but it's something you need to be aware of or want.

Second, as alluded to, most streamer hooks are made of heavier wire. Fish tend to strike streamer patterns HARD; something that the standard wire of the 200R may or may not be up to.

Okay. Let's settle this right now. Picture if you will a sizeable river with fish to match. You have just stepped on to the bank. The river is off color. There is a trickle of water flowing into the river about 10 ft. above where you're standing. You slop a cast out about 8 feet off the bank and just above the confluence of the trickle and river with a size 16 nymph tied on a 200R. The fly barely has time to get down when the indicator goes under and you set up, figuring it's probably just a rock.

ZZZZZZIIIIIIIIIIIPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP goes your line through the water (a 6 wt.) BBUUUUZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ[draw breath]ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ... goes your reel. About 100 feet UPriver, against the current mind you, this fish (one of the steelhead that cohabitate with the trout in this water, something you didn't expect to be there) comes out of the water; jumping to try and shake the hook, break your tippet, mess with your mind, and otherwise 'give you the fin.' You 'bow to the king' and... the hook holds!!!

No. I didn't land this fish. Size? Does "bigger than a riffle pig" hold any meaning for you? How about the term "hawg" being an understatement? Alright. Let's just say that this was a fish that one would not expect to take, nor would you reasonably fish to it with, a size 16 nymph in this water. The point here is that the TMC 200R held it without bending or breaking.

When tying nymphs, the extra length allows for the addition of a "bead head" without having to 'shorten' the normal profile of the nymph without the bead. This is not to say that you must use a longer hook shank when tying with a bead. It's just a nice option when it comes to keeping the proper proportions or your sense of aesthetics. However, given the semi-drop point, it can be "difficult" to use beads with the 200R; i.e., you have to have just the right size to get it around the bend. Also, remember, the 'straight' portion of the shank is only roughly "2X" in length, something that can also impact the size of bead selected and the resultant proportions of the nymph.

-- Substitutes? --

As stated, a number of manufacturers have come out with nearly identical hooks to the TMC200R. To my mind and method of tying, they all come up short; usually based upon some single aspect or combination of compromised features. For instance, while I've had a limited amount of success with the Dai-Riki 270 (which, by the way, is the only Dai-Riki tying hook I haven't had problems with; e.g., bent hooks on 12" fish, broken hook points, etc.), it is stiffer, not nearly as sharp, and and the barb does not flatten as easily as the Tiemco's micro-barb. It is less expensive. Consequently, I often use it for tying Stimulators I intend using in places where overhanging limbs, as well as brush and rock strewn banks means the inevitability of lost flies.

The Daiichi 1270 is about the same price as the Tiemco and it is made from better steel. However, the hook bend strikes me as a bit sharper and the sizing is not consistent with the TMC 200R; particularly when you get into the larger sizes. (I've run into a similar sizing problem with Gamakatsu hooks. Let's just say that you will notice a difference.)

The Mustad C53S is noticeably less expensive than the Tiemco. It too has a "micro-barb." It is nearly as sharp as the 200R. However, my eyes (or sense of aesthetic) tells me that the curve of the shank isn't as gradual as the Tiemco. It is also not as readily available for me (Cabela's being my main source for the Mustad) as is the Tiemco.

There are others, but you get the idea. Maybe John Gierach (see Don't Know Who The Author Is, But Enjoy A Good Read - Get This One) said it best in his book Good Flies: Favorite Trout Patterns and How They Got That Way...

"I started tying on them [the Tiemco 200R] because they're an elegant shape and they make a graceful-looking fly, but they also turned out to be sharp and durable and they hold fish well." - p. 13

-- Used For??? --

As already noted, the TMC 200R can be used for nymphs, dries, and streamers. They can be used to 'tweak' patterns based on entirely different hook styles; a strategy that gives the fish a 'new look' at a standard pattern. Probably the best known pattern which specifically calls for the use of this hook is Randall Kaufmann's Stimulator series of dry flies. But, plenty of Gold Ribbed Hare's Ears (see Perhaps The Most Basic and Useful Nymph Pattern), Pheasant Tails (see Sawyer's Universal Pattern - The Pheasant Tail Nymph), Wooly Buggers, Midges, and other patterns have been tied on them.

-- Finally --

The TMC 200R doesn't come cheap. Coming in sizes 4 - 22, a 25-pack generally runs about $5.45 and the 100-packs will set you back $16.50-$16.95. (Cabela's 2007 Fly-Fishing Catalog lists the hook as $5.45 in the 25-pack, but no 100-packs. However, they also state that if you buy 2 or more packs of the same size, the price is $4.15 each, which works out to $16.60 for a 100-pack equivalent.)

Tiemco also offers a barbless version, the TMC 200RBL. The only difference is that the RBL is barbless; thus, the BL designation. The price is the exactly the same. (I do note that Tiemco may no longer offer the 200RBL in sizes 4 and 6. I haven't been able to confirm this; but, to the best of my knowledge, the TMC 200RBL may only be available in sizes 8 - 22.)

While lesser expensive versions now abound, for me, the Tiemco 200R set the standard for this style of hook nearly 20 years ago. Though I have experimented with and even occasionally use some of these alternatives, the 200R still represents the best of the breed in this hook configuration. Maybe I can sum it up with a modified turn of phrase:

"Mess With the Best, Catch the Rest."

(Hey, sounds like a review title to me...)


Recommended: Yes