Garren WoodFishing Hook Reference
The Mustad 3671 is a premium wet fly and Atlantic salmon hook manufactured by O. Mustad & Søn in Oslo, Norway, during the mid-20th century (c. 1950–1965). It features the iconic Limerick bend — a sharp, angular bottom curve characteristic of Irish salmon fly construction — paired with a tapered turned-up eye, hollow point, and bronzed finish. Size No. 2 places it in the traditional wet fly and light salmon range.
The tapered eye is the standout engineering feature: wire diameter is intentionally reduced at the eye to minimize weight and bulk, a premium detail that became increasingly rare as modern production favored efficiency over traditional specifications. This tapering was originally designed to accommodate gut snells and traditional wet-fly rigging techniques, creating a perfect mechanical interface that prevented the snell from closing the hook gap under tension.
Vintage Mustad manufacture from Norway (post-1925 but pre-1975) is historically significant and prized by collectors. The original paper label is still intact on this specimen, featuring the classic eight-line Mustad label format with the Key Brand logo. The absence of a barcode and the letterpress printing confirm pre-1974 production. Bronzed finish is warm and stealthy — highly favored by traditional fly tiers for both esthetic and functional reasons.
This hook represents the era when hook manufacturing was highly specialized and pattern-specific, before homogenization by the Signature Series (c. 2001). Scarce in original packaging, the 3671 commands modest but reliable collector interest, particularly among Atlantic salmon fly enthusiasts and students of vintage Norwegian steel.
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The hollow point geometry is optimized for rapid tissue penetration with minimal applied force. The concave, dished-out inner taper creates a razor-sharp tip that flares rapidly toward the barb, making it ideal for soft-mouthed salmonids and traditional wet fly work where aggressive hook-setting could tear friable gill tissue. The Limerick bend’s sharp bottom angle locks the jaw into the strongest point of the hook, preventing sliding or tearing during extended fights against powerful anadromous fish.
The tapered eye reduces frontal weight and bulk, allowing wet flies tied on the 3671 to float or sink with natural presentation unimpeded by excess eye mass. This was critical for gut-snell rigging, where a heavy eye would cause the fly to rotate or dive. The turned-up eye orientation (TUE) is traditional for wet flies, directing the snell attachment upward and away from the hook gap.
Heavy wire gauge provides the structural strength required for salmon and sea-trout work, where violent head-shakes and powerful runs demand durability. The bronzed finish provides rust resistance without the excessive thickness that japanning would add, maintaining the aesthetic preferred by traditional tiers.
Physical measurement with calipers
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Oslo designation (Line 3) indicates post-1925 manufacture — Christiania renamed to Oslo January 1, 1925 V. Absence of barcode: strong pre-1974 indicator P. Letterpress printing and paper stock consistent with mid-20th-century production. 'Made in Norway' notation standard on vintage export labels. 'T. up tap. eye' terminology and eight-line label format align with classic Mustad era before Signature Series transition (c. 2001–2009). Combined evidence points to 1950s–1960s window; most consistent with post-WWII Norwegian manufacturing expansion.
The Limerick bend's sharp bottom angle was engineered to solve a specific problem in salmon fishing: when a large fish turns to run upriver, the mechanical stress concentrates at the lowest point of the hook gap. A smooth, rounded bend (like the Sproat) distributes stress evenly but can slowly straighten under sustained pulling. The Limerick's angular design creates a mechanical 'wedge' that locks the fish's hard palate or jaw bone into the sharpest, strongest point of the bend, making it nearly impossible for even a 20-pound salmon to tear free. Irish blacksmiths discovered this principle through centuries of river-side tinkering; Mustad's achievement was replicating it with industrial precision and exporting it globally. Today, modern salmon anglers using circle hooks and catch-and-release tactics often find the Limerick's jaw-locking geometry remains superior to conventional straight-eye designs.
The Limerick bend originated in Ireland in the 19th century and was perfected by regional blacksmiths in County Limerick. The pattern became the standard for Atlantic salmon flies during the Victorian and Edwardian eras. Mustad, recognizing the market dominance of this bend in British and Irish salmon fishing, incorporated Limerick into its industrial catalog as part of its strategy of ‘cloning’ successful regional patterns for global distribution.
The 3671 emerged as Mustad’s mass-produced Limerick offering in the mid-20th century, competing directly with English Redditch patterns (particularly Partridge of Redditch and H. Milward & Sons) which also produced Limerick bends. Mustad’s superior manufacturing scale and export reach made the 3671 widely available internationally, eventually establishing it as the standard Limerick for postwar fly tyers.
The Limerick bend design has survived largely unchanged into the modern era. Contemporary manufacturers including Tiemco (TMC 7989), Partridge (CS10/1), and Mustad’s own Signature Series (L70) continue to produce Limerick variants, confirming the pattern’s enduring functional and esthetic merit.
| Silhouette | Hook Model | Match | Analysis | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
36673 No. 3 — Mustad 36673 | 83% | Compare | |
|
36712 No. 2 — Mustad 36712 — Limerick Hooks | 77% | Compare | |
|
8230 No. 2 — Mustad 8230 Limerick | 77% | Compare | |
|
1937 No. 2/0 — Iron Arm Spear Pointed Limerick | 76% | Compare | |
|
19540 No. 1 — Mustad-Limerick Hooks | 76% | Compare |
| Silhouette | Hook Model | Match | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Celebrated Dublin Limerick No. 2 — Harrison Celebrated Dublin Limerick Hook | 99% | Compare |
|
3305 No. 17 — Mustad 3305 Cincinnati Bass Hooks | 99% | Compare |
|
3906B No. 1 and No. 4 — Mustad 3906B | 99% | Compare |
|
3100 No. 5/0 — Mustad-Limerick Hooks | 98% | Compare |
|
3101 A No. 2/0 — 3101 A | 98% | Compare |
The Mustad 3671 is optimized for traditional wet fly fishing for Atlantic salmon, sea trout, and large freshwater species. Size No. 2 sits in the light-to-medium salmon range, suitable for both spring and autumn fishing, particularly in Scottish spate rivers and Irish limestone streams. The Limerick bend is the signature bend for classic Atlantic salmon fly construction — its sharp bottom angle physically locks the fish’s jaw into the strongest point of the steel, preventing the hook from sliding or tearing free during the protracted, violent battles characteristic of salmon and steelhead.
The tapered eye accommodates traditional gut-snell attachment (soaked silkworm gut whipped directly to the shank), a rigging method that remained standard through the 1960s. The turned-up eye orientation (TUE) directs the snell attachment upward and away from the hook gap, creating a mechanical lock that distributes fighting stress evenly across the steel. The hollow point provides rapid, pressure-sensitive penetration essential for thin-skinned fish and direct fly presentation.
Historically, the 3671 was (and remains) favored by traditional Atlantic salmon fly tiers seeking authentic period-correct hooks. The Limerick pattern appears in virtually every major wet fly manual from the Victorian era through the 1970s, including the foundational texts ‘Salter’s Fly Dresser’s Assistant’ and standard-issue tackle guides of the British Salmon Fisheries Board.
Traditional Atlantic salmon fly tying, sea-trout wet flies, large lake trout patterns, hair-wing salmon flies.
Muddler Minnow, Greenwells Glory, March Brown, Teal and Red, Butcher, Mallard and Claret, Peter Ross, Invicta, Dunkeld, Woodcock and Mixed
| Hook | Match Quality | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tiemco TMC 7989 | Excellent | Modern Limerick bend, turned-down eye, comparable wire gauge. Closest direct descendant in current production. |
| Partridge CS10/1 | Very Good | Irish-made Limerick bend, looped eye, heavier wire than 3671, premium traditional salmon fly hook. |
| Mustad Signature L70 | Very Good | Mustad's modern Limerick equivalent, logical wire code designation, no tapered eye but otherwise equivalent function. |
| Daiichi 1720 | Good | Japanese Limerick-profile salmon hook, turned-down eye, standard eye rather than tapered variant. |
The Mustad 3671 is a genuinely scarce vintage wet fly and salmon hook with strong appeal to traditional fly tiers and Mustad historians. Tapered turned-up eye construction is a premium feature now rarely produced. Original packaging adds significant value; intact vintage boxes are highly sought.
Positive Factors: Tapered eye construction is a specialist premium feature no longer common in modern production. Limerick bend has deep cultural significance in Atlantic salmon fly tradition. Vintage Norwegian manufacture (post-1925 but pre-1975) is historically important — Norwegian steel tempering is prized by collectors. Original packaging with intact label dramatically increases value. Size No. 2 in this pattern is moderate and widely usable. ‘Made in Norway’ designation is collectible across multiple Mustad models. Bronzed finish is warm and aesthetically appealing.
Limiting Factors: The 3671 is not as iconic as models like the 3906 (Sproat) or 36890 (salmon irons), so it commands less premium than signature patterns. Limerick bend is somewhat niche compared to round bends. Moderate size (No. 2) limits appeal compared to larger salmon sizes (1/0–4/0 range) which draw higher collector interest. Pattern is still in modern production under Signature Series, reducing scarcity perception. Condition of specimen is unremarkable — no notable patina or historical use marks to increase narrative value.
Cream-colored paper box label with golden-brown letterpress text. Standard eight-line vintage Mustad label format. Features Key Brand skeleton-key logo upper left. Label reads: 'O. MUSTAD & SÖN / Manufacturers / OSLO - NORWAY / Qual. 3671 / Hollow Point / Mustad-Limerick Hooks / T. up tap. eye Bronzed / 100 No. 2 / Made in Norway.' Decorative floral border around entire label. Handwritten pink '2' indicating hook size. Vintage kraft box with minimal wear. No barcode present — pre-1974 indicator P.
Original packaging condition is primary value driver — a box in mint condition with all 100 hooks intact commands $24–28. Loose hooks without packaging typically $12–16 depending on finish condition. Tapered eye variant commands 10–15% premium over standard ball-eye equivalent. Vintage Norwegian manufacture adds 5–8% to value versus later Signature Series equivalents. eBay specialist dealers and fly-tying forums most active market; periodic sales at tackle fairs also observed.
eBay vintage tackle listings (frequent), specialist fly-fishing forums (Singlebarbed, Classic Fly Tyers), estate sales, vintage tackle dealers in UK and Scandinavia, occasional tackle fairs.
Store the 3671 in a cool, dry environment away from direct sunlight and fluctuating humidity. The bronzed finish is stable but will develop a patina (darkening) with extended exposure to humid conditions; this patina is usually considered desirable by collectors and does not indicate active corrosion. Keep the original paper label intact — it is integral to the hook’s historical documentation and collectability. Store on the original card rather than loose in boxes or containers, as this protects both the hooks and the label from mechanical damage.
If removing hooks for tying, return unused specimens to the original card after use. Avoid contact with other metals (particularly copper or brass items) which can cause galvanic corrosion of the steel. Do not store hooks in humid basements, bathrooms, or near salt-air environments, which accelerate oxidation even through bronzed finish. A silica gel desiccant packet placed near the stored box is beneficial for long-term preservation. Inspect periodically (every 2–3 years) for any signs of corrosion initiation; if spotted, the hook can be gently cleaned with a soft brush and immediately returned to dry storage.
The tapered eye is a delicate feature — do not store where hooks might be subject to pressure or crushing, as this can deform the fine eye wire. If hooks are to be used for tying, exercise care when threading the snell to avoid unnecessary stress on the tapered eye section.
A single handwritten numeral ‘2’ in pink or magenta ink appears on the label, positioned in the lower left area of the box. This marking indicates the hook size (No. 2) and was applied at point of manufacture or packaging by Mustad factory personnel. The handwriting is characteristic of mid-20th-century pencil or crayon marking — a common practice before modern label printing evolved to include size designations in color. The pink/magenta pigment is consistent with wax crayon used for inventory tracking in the 1950s–1960s. The marking is original and contemporaneous with the manufacture of the hooks, confirming this box was never a repackaged or secondary product.
Source: O. Mustad & Søn Comprehensive Typology and Decryption of Vintage Labels (reference document)
Line 1: ‘O. MUSTAD & SÖN’ — Full manufacturer name, unabbreviated. Establishes corporate authority and brand integrity. ‘SÖN’ (not ‘SON’) indicates original Norwegian language printing, common on pre-1970s Norwegian export packaging.
Line 2: ‘Manufacturers’ — Defines Mustad’s role in the supply chain as primary manufacturer, not a jobber or repackager. This distinction was critical in an era when many tackle retailers purchased bulk hooks and rebranded them locally.
Line 3: ‘OSLO – NORWAY’ — Geographic origin. The ‘OSLO’ designation (rather than ‘CHRISTIANIA’) confirms manufacture after January 1, 1925, when the Norwegian capital was officially renamed. This provides a definitive chronological lower bound: 1925 or later. The ‘NORWAY’ assertion emphasizes the prestige of Norwegian steel, which carried significant market value in the mid-20th century.
Line 4: ‘Qual. 3671’ — Model code. The numerical designation 3671 falls within Mustad’s mid-tier ‘Quality’ category (3000–3999 range), indicating a refined, precision-manufactured hook intended for demanding applications (salmon and sea trout), not economy bulk fishing.
Line 5: ‘Hollow Point’ — Defines the point geometry as concave and dished, optimized for rapid penetration with minimal force. This is the exclusive use of Line 5 per Mustad’s standardized system: point type only.
Line 6: ‘Mustad-Limerick Hooks’ — Pattern nomenclature. ‘Mustad-Limerick’ emphasizes the marriage of Mustad’s industrial prowess with the prestige of the Irish Limerick bend, a deliberate marketing strategy to position the product as authentic yet industrially reliable.
Lines 7 & 8: ‘T. up tap. eye Bronzed’ and ‘Made in Norway’ — Modifiers specifying the eye type (Turned Up, Tapered) and finish (Bronzed). ‘Made in Norway’ reinforces manufacturing location, important for mid-20th-century product differentiation.
Quantity and Size: ‘100 No. 2’ — Box contains 100 hooks, standard retail count. ‘No. 2’ is the physical hook size in traditional fly hook scaling.
The Mustad 3671 is designated ‘No. 2’ using traditional fly hook numeric scaling, where smaller numbers (16, 12, 8) represent finer hooks and larger integers (1, 2) represent progressively heavier patterns. The ‘aught’ scale (1/0, 2/0, 3/0) extends beyond this for large saltwater and salmon hooks. No. 2 places the 3671 at the boundary between light wet fly (sizes 8–10) and light salmon range (No. 2–No. 1).
Measured dimensions confirm No. 2 sizing: overall length 1.32–1.36 inches and gap width 0.40 inches are consistent with standard fly hook No. 2 specifications. However, modern fly hook sizing standards (particularly the Mustad Signature Series) have introduced complicating systems: size designations now often include length modifiers (1X, 2X long/short) and wire strength numbers (5, 6, 7, 8) that do not appear on vintage labels. The 3671’s vintage sizing lacks these modifiers, reflecting an era before standardized length and wire nomenclature.
Collectors should note that a vintage No. 2 is directly comparable to modern No. 2 bait or salmon hooks but may appear slightly different in proportion to modern ‘standard’ dry fly No. 2 hooks (which are often marketed as 1X long compared to older baselines). This dimensional continuity across 70+ years of manufacturing is a testament to Mustad’s commitment to pattern fidelity.
| 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).
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