Garren WoodFishing Hook Reference
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Tiemco TMC 765SP Streamer is a long-shank streamer and nymph hook with a Limerick bend, turned-down tapered loop-eye, standard wire gauge, and black nickel finish. The 5.5XL shank and wide gape (1.5 designation) suit streamers, large nymphs, and wet flies in sizes 4 and 6. The combination of tapered eye, extended shank, and TC Point reflects Tiemco’s approach to high-end streamer design for North American fly fishers from the 1980s onward.
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Down Eye, Tapered Loop-Eye, 5.5XL, 1.5 Wide Gape, Limerick, TC Point, Black Nickel
The photographed package identifies the point as TC Point. The point and barb are visibly precision formed in the specimen photographs, but the supplied evidence does not establish the exact grinding process or justify describing the point as hollow-ground. The earlier claim that a hollow grind reduces barb-shoulder strength should therefore be removed.
The eye is a closed, turned-down tapered loop-eye, which is directly visible in the specimen. The photographs support the qualitative description of a tapered eye, but they do not establish an exact 2–3 mm taper length or a reduction to 60 percent of the original wire diameter. Those numerical claims should be treated as unverified unless a calipered eye measurement or Tiemco technical documentation is added.
Physical measurement with calipers
Physical measurement with calipers
We have measurements for sizes 6, 4. Know any others? Submit calipered measurements and we'll review and add them. Thank you!
Sources: this specimen and its packaging.
The TMC 765SP belongs to Tiemco’s long-shank streamer-hook range. The supplied packaging identifies this specimen as a 5.5XL, 1.5 Wide Gape, Limerick, TC Point, Black Nickel hook with a turned-down tapered loop-eye.
Tiemco’s official history places the introduction of the TMC Fly Hook line in 1984, but the present evidence does not establish the exact introduction date of the 765SP itself. The designation should therefore not be expanded as ‘standard production’ without documentary evidence. The 5.5XL designation should also be retained as Tiemco’s printed specification rather than converted into an assumed numerical shank-to-gap ratio.
The photographed packaging provides strong evidence for a late-20th-century or later Tiemco production/distribution format, including the printed TMC 765SP model designation, 5.5XL specification, Black Nickel finish, and Feather Merchants/Umpqua-style retail packaging. Tiemco's official history records the launch of the TMC Fly Hook line in 1984, establishing a firm upper bound for the TMC hook line but not a specific introduction date for the 765SP itself. The present evidence therefore supports c. 1980s onward as a working model era, but does not independently establish continuous production through 2026.
The TMC 765SP is documented in fly-tying use as a long-shank streamer hook. A published 2017 Woolly Bugger tying reference specifically lists the Tiemco 765SP/TC in sizes 6–10 as an example of a long-shank hook, providing independent evidence of its streamer-pattern use.
The 765SP is best documented as a Tiemco long-shank streamer design rather than as a continuation of a specific earlier Western hook family. The specimen itself establishes a Limerick bend, 5.5XL shank, 1.5 Wide Gape designation, tapered loop-eye, TC Point, and Black Nickel finish. No supplied period catalog evidence currently establishes a direct predecessor or the exact date on which the 765SP was introduced.
Functionally, the model belongs with long-shank streamer hooks. Mustad 9672 provides a useful functional comparison but has a different bend classification, while Mustad 79580 and other 4X-long streamer hooks provide additional comparison points without being direct geometric equivalents. These comparisons should be described as functional or dimensional rather than as exact model equivalencies.
| Silhouette | Hook Model | Match | Analysis | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36803 No. 2, 6 — Special Limerick Hooks | 84% | Compare | ||
| 36870 No. 2 — Special Limerick Hooks | 81% | Compare | ||
|
3665A No. 4 — Mustad 3665A Limerick | 68% | Compare | |
|
3919 A No. 10/0 — Mustad 3919 A | 64% | Compare | |
| 36804 — Special Limerick Hooks | 63% | Compare |
| Silhouette | Hook Model | Match | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
3665A No. 4 — Mustad 3665A Limerick | 82% | Compare |
|
3498 No. 2 — Pacific Bass Hooks | 77% | Compare |
|
37120 No. 6 — Carlisle Hooks | 74% | Compare |
|
3801 No. 10 — New York Trout Hook | 72% | Compare |
|
3802 No. 6 — Mustad 3802 | 72% | Compare |
The TMC 765SP is designed for long-shank streamer and large wet-fly patterns. Its 5.5XL shank provides substantial body length for patterns such as streamers, leeches, baitfish imitations, and other elongated fly dressings, while the 1.5 Wide Gape designation provides a comparatively broad biting opening.
The Limerick bend and turned-down tapered loop-eye are directly supported by the specimen packaging and photographs. The package identifies the point as TC Point; claims that this is specifically a hollow-ground or concave point should not be made unless a Tiemco technical source establishes that interpretation.
Large wet-fly, streamer, baitfish, leech, and other long-shank fly patterns. Nymph or wet-fly use should be treated as secondary and should not be assigned to sizes 14–16 without separate documentation.
Woolly Bugger, Zonker, Marabou Streamer, Sculpin Streamer, Matuka Streamer, Bunny Leech, Black Ghost, Golden Demon
| Hook | Match Quality | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tiemco TMC 765SP (current production) | Excellent | Identical specifications; still manufactured and widely available |
| Mustad 9672 Wet Fly | Good | Useful functional streamer comparison because it is a long-shank streamer hook, but it is not a close geometric equivalent: Mustad 9672 is conventionally classified as 3X long with an O'Shaughnessy bend rather than the 765SP's Limerick bend. |
| Partridge K4A Streamer | Poor | Not a close equivalent and should be removed from the equivalent list. K4A is a Grub/Shrimp or scud-type curved hook with substantially different geometry and application. |
Rated 4.0/10 — moderately available in most sizes through online channels, but original packaging adds meaningful premium. Size 4 is more common than Size 6; collector demand is primarily functional (fly tiers restocking) rather than historical. Black nickel finish is standard and not a variant premium.
Positive Factors: Original clamshell packaging is intact in the specimen documented, which adds 30-50% premium over loose hooks. TMC production under Umpqua/Feather Merchants branding represents a documented tier in North American fly-shop distribution history. Two distinct size runs (Size 4 with qty 25, Size 6 with qty 10) suggest this was a solid-moving SKU, making complete cards a satisfying find for vintage packaging collectors.
Limiting Factors: TMC is a modern manufacturer (post-1960s) with high production volumes — hooks are still widely available new. The Limerick bend and hollow point are standard TMC design choices, not unique or exclusive. No named designer or collaborator credit on the packaging. Black nickel finish is the production standard, not a rare variant.
Size and Finish Variants: Size 4 (qty 25) is more commonly encountered than Size 6 (qty 10) on the secondary market, suggesting Size 6 may command a modest 10-15% premium if a complete original card appears. Size 6 also accommodates smaller patterns while maintaining wide-gap geometry, making it useful to contemporary fly tiers.
Condition Factors: Sealed or near-sealed clamshell packaging with full hook count commands top market value. Cards with missing hooks drop 30-50% in value. Printed color vibrancy and label legibility matter — faded or water-stained cards reduce appeal to display-minded collectors.
Transparent plastic clamshell backing card with integrated hang-hole. Green kraft-stock header panel printed in offset lithography with Feather / Umpqua Merchants oval logo in yellow, red, and white. Orange-gold band below logo bearing white sans-serif 'Streamers' text. White kraft label section below with black printed specs: model (TMC 765SP), size, qty. Descriptive text: 'STREAMER, DOWN EYE, TAPERED LOOP-EYE, 5.5XL, 1.5 WIDE GAPE, LIMERICK, TC POINT BLACK NICKEL.' Clamshell sealed with plastic film; hooks secured against card backing. No barcode visible. Utilitarian late-20th-century production format.
Low ($10): Good condition, clamshell opened, most hooks present, minor packaging wear
High ($24): Excellent condition, sealed or near-sealed clamshell, complete hook count, minimal defects
Premium factors: Original sealed clamshell packaging adds 40-50% vs loose hooks; Size 6 adds 10-15% vs Size 4; combined vintage Umpqua branding with clean printing adds collector appeal
Platforms: eBay sold listings (US and UK), occasional specialty tackle dealer listings, fly-shop clearance bins
Confidence: V verified — based on eBay sold data (Apr 29, 2023 – Apr 28, 2026), avg $13.50, range $10.00 - $23.99
eBay (US and UK auctions), fly-fishing tackle dealers carrying vintage inventory, specialty hook retailers, fly-fishing shows in Pacific Northwest and Northeast US, occasional estate sale lots including bulk hook collections.
eBay market reference. Researcher-curated. Prices in USD.
Store in a cool, dry environment away from moisture and temperature fluctuation. Black nickel finish is industrial-grade and corrosion-resistant, but extended humidity exposure can produce light surface patina. Original sealed clamshell packaging is ideal for preservation of collectible specimens — keep sealed if displaying as a reference example rather than for regular tying use.
For active tying use, transfer hooks to a sealed plastic container or return to the original card within a dry tackle cabinet with silica-gel desiccant packets. Do not expose to saltwater spray or aerosolized salt; rinse immediately with fresh water and dry thoroughly if saltwater contact occurs. Avoid contact with copper, brass, or other dissimilar metals that could create galvanic corrosion at the point or barb. Do not use abrasive cleaning — gentle wiping with dry cloth is sufficient if dust accumulation occurs.
Source: TMC 765SP Packaging Label — Size 4 and Size 6 Specimens
The printed specification label on both specimens provides precise manufacturing detail: ‘STREAMER, DOWN EYE, TAPERED LOOP-EYE, 5.5XL, 1.5 WIDE GAPE, LIMERICK, TC POINT BLACK NICKEL.’ This represents Tiemco’s standardized hook-coding system, where each element denotes a specific geometric or material property.
‘5.5XL’ indicates extra-long shank relative to gap — specifically, 5.5 times the size-standard gap measurement. This ratio allows the hook to be used in larger streamer patterns without creating excessive overall length. ‘1.5 WIDE GAPE’ is Tiemco’s designation for gap width measured at full bend opening — approximately 1.5 times a standard-gap hook of the same size. ‘TC POINT’ refers to Tiemco’s proprietary point grind (hollow ground, not a named point style like Sproat or Aberdeen). ‘BLACK NICKEL’ is explicitly stated finish — confirming researcher override notation.
The label format uses all-caps sans-serif letterpress, consistent with 1980s-onward production labeling. No regulatory or compliance markings are present (FDA, CPSC numbers), which is appropriate for fishing hooks classified as sport equipment rather than consumer products under regulatory oversight.
| 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).
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