Generic selectors
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Post Type Selectors

Wright & McGill Co – Pattern 80

The Wright & McGill Pattern 80 is a classic piece of American fishing history. Manufactured in Denver, Colorado, these bronze-finished hooks feature the revolutionary “Eagle Claw” bend inspired by the talons of birds of prey. Originally packaged in this iconic two-color cardboard box from the mid-20th century, these Size 2 hooks were the gold standard for general-purpose bait anglers targeting bass, walleye, and trout. Today, they serve as excellent display items for vintage tackle collectors while still retaining the functionality that made them famous.

  • Wright-and-McGill-80-Hooks-Size-2
  • Wright-and-McGill-80-Hook-Size-2
  • Wright-and-McGill-80-Hook-Point-Size-2
  • Wright-and-McGill-80-Box-and-Label-Size-2

Hook Reference

Wright & McGill Co – Pattern 80 – Additional Info

1. Identification

  • Brand: Wright & McGill (Eagle Claw)
  • Model/Code: Pattern 80
  • Size: 2
  • Estimated Era: 1930s–1950s (The box carries a “© 1930 W & M CO.” copyright for the Eagle logo, and this specific typography and two-color cardboard box style was prevalent before the transition to modern plastic packaging and purely “Eagle Claw” corporate branding).

2. Technical Specifications

  • Eye: Turned Down, Ringed
  • Wire: Standard Gauge
  • Shank/Bend: Standard Length, Special “Eagle Claw” Bend (the point curves inward to align directly with the pull of the eye)
  • Finish: Bronze

3. Historical Context

Drew McGill and Stan Wright founded the Wright & McGill Company in Denver, Colorado, in 1925. This particular hook features the legendary “Eagle Claw” shape. The story goes that in the late 1930s, Drew McGill was fishing the Colorado River and struggling to hook fish. He took a break and watched a bald eagle swoop down to grab a fish from the water. He noticed the eagle’s talons were curved inward, creating a direct line of pull. He used pliers to bend his own fish hooks into a similar shape, found immediate success, and the iconic “Eagle Claw” design was born.

  • Still in Operation: Yes, Eagle Claw is still in operation today and remains one of the largest and most famous fish hook manufacturers in the United States, still operating out of Denver.
  • Fun Fact: The slogan “They Hook and Hold” directly refers to the mechanical advantage of the eagle-talon bend, which transfers pulling force directly to the point of the hook rather than the bottom of the bend.

4. Usage & Equivalents

  • Best Used For: General purpose bait fishing (minnows, worms, leeches) for bass, walleye, and large trout. While some tyers used these for large, old-school bucktails or streamers, they are primarily traditional bait hooks.
  • Modern Equivalent: Eagle Claw still produces the classic Model 080 (Plain Shank) and similar variations like the 084. Comparable standard bait hooks include the Mustad 3364 or the VMC 9299.

5. Technical Description

Constructed with standard gauge wire featuring a traditional bronze finish. The hook utilizes a turned-down ring eye, leading to a standard-length straight shank. The bend is a proprietary Eagle Claw offset curve, terminating in a hollow-ground point with a precisely cut standard barb, designed for direct-line pulling power.

6. Collectability

  • Ranking: 3/10
  • Reasoning: Wright & McGill produced these hooks in massive, nationwide quantities for decades. Because they were so ubiquitous, they are relatively easy to find in vintage tackle boxes, at estate sales, and on online auction sites. However, a complete, structurally sound box with clean, legible graphics and original untarnished hooks does hold display value for vintage tackle collectors, pushing it slightly above standard “junk drawer” tackle.