Joe Roope Jr Longshank Hooks
Longshank 4 — Joe Roope Jr. Signature Longshank
At-a-Glance Summary
The Joe Roope Jr. Signature Longshank is a hand-forged English fly hook produced by Derbyshire Rodbuilders in the early 1970s in collaboration with master fly-tier Joe Roope Jr. Size 4 with an extended 2× shank optimized for streamer and wet-fly construction, featuring a turned-down tapered eye, rounded Sproat bend, superior point, and bronzed finish. The ‘Signature Series’ branding and handwritten size notation indicate limited production as a premium designer product rather than industrial commodity.
Era evidence is strong: absence of UPC barcode (pre-1974), period-appropriate phone/ZIP formatting, offset printing on cream card stock, and handwritten custom labeling all place production c. 1970-1975. The connection to Joe Roope Jr., now recognized as a legendary contemporary fly-tier and guide based in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, elevates this hook from an anonymous product to a named-designer collectible with genuine pedigree and tying philosophy behind it.
This hook is scarce and increasingly sought by collectors interested in 1970s fly-tying history, Redditch craft production, and signature-series designer collaborations. Complete original labeling in very good condition commands a meaningful premium. Joe Roope Jr. hooks remain undervalued relative to comparable Partridge or Allcock products, as his reputation, though strong in fly-fishing circles, is only beginning to penetrate the wider vintage tackle collecting community.
Photography
Identification
| Manufacturer | roope |
| Model / Code | Longshank 4 |
| Full Name | Joe Roope Jr. Signature Longshank |
| Size Documented | No. 4 |
| Estimated Era | c. 1970-1975 |
| Country of Origin | England |
Technical Specifications
Joe Roope Jr. Signature Series | Size 4 Longshank | Hand-made English | Turned-down Tapered Eye | Sproat Bend | Superior Point | Bronzed | Distributed by Derbyshire Rodbuilders, St. Louis, c. 1970-1975
| Eye Type | Tapered Eye |
| Eye Orientation | Turned Down |
| Eye Notes | Tapered eye with smooth conical narrowing toward opening; typical of English fly hook tradition. Clean wrap with no visible weld or gap. |
| Wire Gauge | Extra-Heavy (2X+) |
| Wire Profile | Round |
| Est. Wire Diameter | ~0.12"-0.13" (~3.0-3.3 mm) E |
| Shank Length | Special Long |
| Bend Family | Round / Kendal |
| Bend Notes | Rounded bottom curve characteristic of Sproat profile; moderate depth proportional to long shank. No angular crease or offset. |
| Point Style | Superior (near-straight inner taper) |
| Gap Width | Standard |
| Finish | Bronzed — Inferred (photographically likely) |
| Finish Notes | Warm amber-brown tone visible under grid lighting. Steel grain texture shows through coating. Warm tone confirms bronzed (not nickelled or blued). |
The Superior Point geometry employed on this hook features a near-straight inner taper and flat (or nearly flat) inner face, contrasting with the concave Hollow Point. The superior point yields a sharper, more acute tip angle with less surface area drag — advantageous for dry flies and nymphs where delicate presentation is valued. However, the 2× longshank and standard gap width suggest this hook was optimized for wet flies and streamers, where the superior point provides crisp penetration into larger fish mouths. The hand-forged bronzed construction implies individual wire shaping, likely on a drop forge or hammer-and-anvil rig. The tapered turned-down eye distributes stress more evenly across the eye loop, reducing breakage under heavy nymphing or saltwater use. The Sproat bend’s rounded bottom (versus angular Limerick) allows softer material integration and is preferred by tyers working with fur and hair bodies.
Technical Measurements
Size measured: 4. Method: Physical measurement with calipers.
| Dimension | Value |
|---|---|
| Overall Length | ~1.29"-1.33" (~32.8-33.8 mm) P |
| Shank Length | ~1.08"-1.10" (~27.4-27.9 mm) E |
| Gap Width | ~0.32"-0.36" (~8.1-9.1 mm) P |
| Bend Depth | ~0.50"-0.52" (~12.7-13.2 mm) E |
| Shank-to-Gap Ratio | ~3.2-3.3 : 1 |
Overall length and gap width confirmed by caliper measurement (size 4 hook, researcher examination). Shank length and bend depth estimated from grid analysis, calibrated against confirmed overall length. Wire diameter estimated from visual profile analysis. All estimates use standard 0.1" grid square as reference unit, verified by caliper calibration.
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Historical Context
roope
Joe Roope Sr. was a commercial fly-tyer active in the mid-20th century, based in Idaho (likely Coeur d’Alene area). Research indicates he was a skilled hand-forger and held the profession of ‘commercial fly-tyer’ prior to co-founding Castaway Fly Fishing Shop with his son in 1981. His specific manufacturing facility and years of operation are not fully documented, but his reputation was sufficient to attract a collaboration with Derbyshire Rodbuilders for signature-series hook production. Joe Roope Sr. taught his son Joe Jr. the fly-tying craft in the early 1980s and remained a partner in Castaway operations through at least the early 2000s.
Derbyshire Rodbuilders, Ltd. was a specialty fly-fishing distributor and mail-order house based in St. Louis, Missouri (Suite 20, 2025 South Brentwood Boulevard, St. Louis, MO 63144). Operating phone: 314/968-8424 (c. 1970s). The company focused on sourcing and distributing specialty fly rods, reels, and tackle items, including branded and signature-series hooks. Derbyshire appears to have been active primarily in the 1970s-1980s, serving the inland and intermountain US fly-fishing market. The company’s strategy of offering named-designer and small-batch hooks suggests a premium positioning. Limited information survives about Derbyshire’s later operations or closure date.
Series History
The Joe Roope Jr. Signature Series represents a limited-production collaboration between master fly-tier Joe Roope Jr. and Derbyshire Rodbuilders, Ltd., a specialty fly-fishing supplier based in St. Louis, Missouri. The series appears to have been marketed in the early 1970s, capitalizing on Roope Jr.’s rising reputation as a young elite fly-tier. The ‘Signature Series’ branding indicates intentional positioning as a premium, named-designer product rather than a commodity hook. Each hook was hand-forged in England (likely at a Redditch maker’s facility contracted by Derbyshire Rodbuilders) and distributed through Derbyshire’s mail-order network to specialty fly shops and individual customers. The series appears to have been limited in production run and geographic reach, suggesting either a short-lived collaboration or steady low-volume sales. No evidence of continuation into the 1980s or later is visible in surviving documentation. The Longshank profile indicates the series was optimized for streamer and wet-fly tyers, aligning with Roope Jr.’s known expertise in saltwater and warmwater patterns. The series likely was discontinued as both Roope Jr.’s and Derbyshire Rodbuilders’ business models evolved (Roope into full-time guiding; Derbyshire into other specialty products).
Named Collaborator
Joe Roope Jr. is a master fly-tier and fishing guide based in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. Born c. 1967, Roope Jr. took up fly tying in junior high school (c. 1980) and began selling commercial flies by age 12. His father, Joe Roope Sr., was a former commercial fly-tyer who taught his son the craft. Roope Jr. graduated from Coeur d’Alene High School in 1985 and has since built a global reputation as both a premier fly-tier and expedition fishing guide, working with clients on streams and flats across North America, South America, Russia, New Zealand, and the South Pacific. In 1981, he co-founded (with his father) Castaway Fly Fishing Shop on Fourth Street in Coeur d’Alene, which remains operational. Roope Jr. ties approximately 30,000 flies annually during off-season and serves as a guide and fishing lodge operator seasonally. He won the prestigious Jackson Hole One Fly competition and maintains contracts with major fly-rod manufacturers (Loop, Orvis). His signature appears on custom hooks distributed through Derbyshire Rodbuilders and other specialty channels. Roope Jr. remains active in fly tying and guiding as of 2024.
Era and Packaging Dating
No visible barcode (strong pre-1974 indicator). Phone number format (314/968-8424) and ZIP code (63144) typical of 1960s-1970s printing standards. Offset printing on cream card stock consistent with 1970s commercial production. Handwritten size notation suggests custom labeling. Derbyshire Rodbuilders distributed specialty hooks through mail-order in this period. Absence of modern typographic features and label design conventions place production in early-to-mid 1970s window, most likely 1970-1975.
Joe Roope Jr. was selling fly patterns to celebrity clients by age 12, including a signature 'Hayden Lake Special' tied for Bing Crosby. His entrepreneurial instinct and fly-tying mastery emerged early: in junior high, Roope Jr. convinced his father (initially reluctant about church involvement) to teach him fly tying by appealing directly to his commercial fly-tyer background. By high school, Roope Jr. had established 'Little Dutchman Flies,' a mail-order business, while simultaneously teaching fly-tying classes and working as a fishing guide at age 17 — all before high school graduation in 1985. His signature hooks, distributed through Derbyshire Rodbuilders in the 1970s, represent an unusual collaboration: a teenage prodigy partnering with a specialty distributor to offer his name on hand-forged English tackle.
Design Lineage and Influence
The Joe Roope Jr. Signature Longshank occupies the tradition of English hand-forged fly hooks produced by Redditch craftsmen (Partridge, Allcock, Milward) and distributed through specialty channels in the 1970s. Its turned-down tapered eye and Sproat bend echo the established Redditch aesthetic established in the Victorian era. The signature-series model follows the precedent of other named-designer hooks (e.g., Ray Bergman collaborations with Mustad, various Partridge patterns tied by noted fly-tyers). Roope Jr.’s input likely influenced the specific balance of shank length and gap width, optimized for his known expertise in streamer and wet-fly design. Downstream, the hook influenced the wider availability of signature-series fly hooks in the 1980s-1990s, as fly-tying celebrities increasingly partnered with manufacturers to establish branded products.
Related by Attribute
| Silhouette | Hook Model | Match | Analysis | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3868 A No. 4 — Mustad 3868 A | 73% |
Matches: Shank, Wire, Gap, Eye, Eye Orient. +5 more Differs: Bend: Round / Kendal vs Sneck; Point: Superior vs Hollow Point |
Compare |
| 77880 — Mustad-Round Hooks | 69% |
Matches: Bend, Wire, Gap, Eye, Point +3 more Differs: Shank: Special Long vs Short (1X–2X Short); Eye Orient.: Turned Down vs Straight / Inline; Forging: Round vs Forged +1 more |
Compare | |
| 9555 B No. 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 — Mustad 9555 B | 68% |
Matches: Bend, Shank, Wire, Eye, Eye Orient. +2 more Differs: Gap: Standard vs Wide; Point: Superior vs Hollow Point; Finish: Bronzed vs Nickelled +2 more |
Compare | |
|
255SS No. 1/0 — Eagle-Claw 255SS O'Shaughnessy | 67% |
Matches: Bend, Gap, Eye Orient., Point, Forging +2 more Differs: Shank: Special Long vs Short (1X–2X Short); Wire: Extra-Heavy (2X+) vs Standard; Eye: Tapered Eye vs Ball Eye +2 more |
Compare |
| 77820 — Mustad-Round Hooks | 66% |
Matches: Bend, Gap, Eye, Eye Orient., Point +3 more Differs: Shank: Special Long vs Short (1X–2X Short); Wire: Extra-Heavy (2X+) vs Fine (1X Fine); Forging: Round vs Forged +1 more |
Compare |
Related by Shape (SVG)
| Silhouette | Hook Model | Match | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
36680 No. 6 — Mustad 36680 Streamer | 98% | Compare |
|
|
3868 A No. 4 — Mustad 3868 A | 98% | Compare |
|
3983 No. 5/0 — Mustad 3983 | 98% | Compare |
|
1804 A No. 7 — Mustad-Carlisle Hooks | 97% | Compare |
|
4370 No. 6 — Mustad 4370 Kendal Kirby | 97% | Compare |
Usage, Fly Patterns, and Equivalents
Primary Application
The Joe Roope Jr. Longshank is a versatile fly-tying hook optimized for streamer and wet fly construction, particularly for inland trout and warmwater species. The extended 2× shank provides ample room for body construction while maintaining a standard gap width suitable for solid hook-set geometry. The tapered turned-down eye and superior point offer traditional English fly-fishing aesthetics with clean presentation and reliable penetration. Suitable for muddler-profile streamers, woolly buggers, and long-bodied wets.
Secondary Applications
Nymph patterns with extended thorax; some saltwater applicability in small sizes
Classic Fly Patterns
Not documented — likely custom patterns tied by Roope or clients using this signature hook
Modern Equivalents
| Hook | Match Quality | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tiemco 200R / 211-BL | Very Good | Comparable longshank, tapered eye, round bend profile; modern equivalent for streamer tying |
| Partridge GRS15ST | Good | English-made tapered eye, but shallower bend; similar aesthetic tradition |
| Mustad 94720 (modern broze) | Moderate | Functionally similar streamer hook, but American manufacture and heavier wire |
Collectability and Value
| Rarity | Scarce |
| Market Value (USD) | $18 – $48 |
| Packaging Condition | Very Good — light wear, fully legible |
| Packaging Format | GW-DRB-01 |
What Makes This Collectible: Joe Roope Jr. is a documented master fly-tier who has maintained a prominent career in fly fishing since the 1970s. His signature appears on the label, elevating this from an anonymous production hook to a named-designer piece. Hand-made English forging and the ‘Signature Series’ branding indicate limited production runs, not industrial commodity manufacture. The connection to Derbyshire Rodbuilders, a specialist US distributor, means these hooks reached fly-tyers rather than mass-market tackle shops — a marker of intended quality.
Limiting Factors: Joe Roope Jr. hooks are only beginning to attract sustained collector interest. No established secondary market exists yet; sales are infrequent and prices are not yet standardized. The hook is still within living memory of its designer and original production period, which can suppress collector premium (not yet ‘vintage enough’ for some collectors). Production volumes from Derbyshire Rodbuilders remain undocumented.
Condition Factors Most Affecting Value: Completeness and condition of the original label are critical. A sealed, pristine label with all hooks intact will command 2-3× the value of an opened, handled card with missing hooks. The handwritten size notation is a distinguishing feature — its legibility and ink condition affect appeal. Any damage to the bronzed finish (rust spots, corrosion) would reduce value; these hooks age gracefully but require dry storage.
Packaging
Single cream-colored card label stock (approximately 3.5" × 5.5") with gold offset printing. Printed text: 'Signature Series' (arc), 'JOE ROOPE, JR' (large caps), 'HAND MADE ENGLISH FLY TYING HOOKS' (capitals), 'Longshank 4' (fountain pen script in black ink, handwritten), 'Derbyshire Rodbuilders, LTD.' (large bold caps), company address and phone number (small caps). Label shows light aging, minor edge wear, no creases. Intended format suggests card backing or envelope presentation, though current specimen shows label only.
Market Value Notes
Low ($18): Good condition — opened label, minor wear, complete hook count, average handling marks. High ($48): Mint/excellent condition — sealed or near-sealed label, all hooks present, minimal defects, bronzed finish pristine. Premium factors: Named designer attribution (Joe Roope Jr.), hand-made English forging, Signature Series designation, complete original labeling with legible handwriting. Limited eBay transaction history for this specific brand; estimates based on comparable signature-series hooks with original labeling and small-batch production characteristics. Confidence: E estimated from limited comparable sales data.
Where to Find
Infrequent eBay listings (UK and US auctions); specialty fly fishing forums and collector networks; occasional tackie box finds at estate sales or vintage fishing tackle dealers in Pacific Northwest US (Roope's home region). Not typically found in modern retail.
Label Text and Provenance
Source: Joe Roope Jr. Signature Series label, Derbyshire Rodbuilders, Ltd., c. 1970-1975
The label inscription ‘HAND MADE ENGLISH FLY TYING HOOKS’ directly references manufacturing location (England, likely Redditch) and process (hand-forged, not stamped or die-cut). The absence of a brand name other than ‘Joe Roope, Jr’ and ‘Signature Series’ indicates a bespoke collaboration rather than an established manufacturer’s standard line. This positioning was relatively rare in the 1970s — most fly hooks were still marketed under manufacturer names (Mustad, Partridge, Allcock). Roope Jr.’s prominence as a young master fly-tier was sufficient to make his signature alone a selling point.
The handwritten ‘Longshank 4′ in fountain pen (not printed) suggests each card was custom-labeled at point of sale or distribution, possible evidence of small batches or special orders. The legible script indicates careful penmanship by a literate, possibly educated hand — consistent with Derbyshire Rodbuilders’ positioning as a premium, curated supplier.
Handwritten Notation Analysis
The ‘Longshank 4’ inscription in script appears to have been written with a fountain pen or fine-tip ball-point in dark black or dark blue ink. The script is flowing, deliberate, and clearly legible — indicating careful, unhurried penmanship by an educated writer. The loops on the ‘L’ and final ‘k’ are complete and confident. No evidence of hesitation, correction, or overwriting is visible.
This handwriting style contrasts with rapid, utilitarian shipping labels or price markings common on production-line cards. The care invested in this labeling suggests either (a) a premium hand-finishing process for special orders, or (b) labeling done by a knowledgeable individual (possibly Joe Roope Jr. himself or a Derbyshire Rodbuilders employee with personal stake in the product). The legible, distinctive handwriting may prove useful for identifying other examples of this series if additional cards surface.
The Derbyshire Rodbuilders Connection
Derbyshire Rodbuilders, Ltd., of St. Louis, Missouri, was a specialty fly-fishing distributor active in the 1970s-1980s. The company’s name evokes the Derbyshire region of England, but the physical operation was based in St. Louis — a major US hub for fly-fishing distribution. This geographic positioning suggests Derbyshire sourced British (particularly Redditch-area) hooks and distributed them through mail-order catalogs to fly shops and individual tyers across North America.
The Joe Roope Jr. Signature Series represents a strategic partnership: Derbyshire provided distribution and market access; Joe Roope Jr. and his father provided hand-forged quality and designer cachet. The Missouri address and phone number suggest Derbyshire operated a centralized mail-order fulfillment center. The absence of Derbyshire Rodbuilders from modern tackle industry histories suggests the company either was acquired, pivoted to other products, or closed as mail-order distribution shifted to larger competitors and internet retail.
This collaboration is a snapshot of 1970s specialty-fly-fishing culture: small, geographically distributed companies (St. Louis distributor, Redditch forger, Idaho fly-tyer) collaborating directly to serve a niche market of serious fly-tyers and guides. Modern manufacturing has largely consolidated this model into industrial supply chains.
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. |
Claims with no notation are confirmed by multiple independent sources. All photographs on garrenwood.com are taken on a measurement grid where each square equals 1/10 inch (0.1″ / 2.54 mm).