Tiemco 7999 vs Mustad 36890 Comparison

Old-school shape modern point

Tiemco 7999

The Tiemco 7999 keeps the traditional up-eye salmon profile but adds a modern chemically sharpened point. It's a nice reminder that you can appreciate classic patterns without giving up modern hook technology.

Hooks in this comparison

Tiemco

7999 — Tradition, Updated

At first glance, the Tiemco 7999 looks every bit the traditional salmon hook with its up eye, japanned finish, and Sproat bend. Look a little closer, though, and you'll find a chemically sharpened point that reflects modern hook manufacturing. It's a bit like driving a vintage roadster with electronic ignition—you still get the classic look, just with fewer compromises.

Up eye · Sproat bend · Standard wire · Japan

Mustad

36890 — A Genuine Classic

The Mustad 36890 represents the traditional salmon hook as many fly tyers have known it for decades. Its standard-length shank and Limerick bend make it an excellent reference for classic patterns and historical recipes. If old fly-tying books could choose a hook, this one would probably be dog-eared from use.

Up eye · Limerick bend · Standard wire · Norway

Quick picks

Category	Pick	Why
Most collectible Auto	Mustad 36890	Collectability rating 6.0/10
Longest production history Auto	Mustad 36890	Documented from c. 1950
Fishing over collecting Editor	Tiemco 7999	The chemically sharpened point makes it an easy choice for anglers tying flies primarily to fish rather than to match historical tackle.
Recreating classic patterns Editor	Mustad 36890	Its traditional Limerick bend and proportions make it well suited for reproducing vintage salmon fly recipes.
Best of both worlds Editor	Tiemco 7999	It blends classic styling with modern manufacturing, making it feel equally comfortable in a display box or a fly box.

Specifications

	Tiemco 7999	Mustad 36890
Eye	Looped	Looped
Orientation	Up	Up
Bend	Sproat	Limerick
Wire	Standard	Standard
Shank	1X Long	Standard
Point	Spear	Other
Finish	Japanned	Japanned
Sizes	2/0	3/0
Origin	Japan	Norway

Rows where these hooks differ · ★ Best-in-comparison, computed from catalog field data.

Which should you choose?

Your choice depends more on what you’re tying for than on the pattern itself. If your flies are headed to the river, the Tiemco 7999 offers classic proportions paired with a modern chemically sharpened point. If your goal is historical accuracy or faithfully recreating traditional dressings, the Mustad 36890 remains a compelling choice. Fortunately, salmon have never been known to critique your hook selection—only your presentation.

Open all 2 hooks in Compare Print this comparison

Tiemco 7999 reference › Mustad 36890 reference ›

Confidence notation key

P	Photographically verified — Directly observable in the photograph(s) on this page.
V	Verified by documentation — Confirmed by manufacturer catalog, spec sheet, or published reference.
I	Inferred — A logical deduction from observable or documented evidence, not directly stated.
E	Estimated — An approximation based on visual comparison, proportional analysis, or limited data.
S	Speculative — A reasoned hypothesis that cannot be confirmed from available evidence.

Unnotated claims are the compiler’s synthesis; see Sources. All photographs on garrenwood.com are taken on a measurement grid where each square equals 1/10 inch (0.1″ / 2.54 mm).