The Tiemco TMC 7999 is a legendary, now-discontinued fly hook designed specifically for salmon and steelhead wet flies. Manufactured in Japan, this hook is prized for its heavy wire strength and distinct tapered loop-eye, which allows tiers to create the small, neat heads required for classic patterns. With a sleek black finish and a modified Limerick bend, the TMC 7999 offers a blend of traditional aesthetics and modern holding power. It is highly sought after by fly tiers who demand the specific weight and “hang” this hook provides in the water.

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TMC 7999 – Additional Info

1. Identification

Brand: Tiemco (TMC) — Distributed by Umpqua Feather Merchants (green packet) and Tiemco direct (blue box).
Model/Code: TMC 7999
Size: 1/0 and 2/0
Estimated Era: Late 1980s to early 2000s. The blue/white box with handwritten sizing is typical of earlier stock (likely late 80s/early 90s), while the green Umpqua packaging is standard for the 90s through the early 2000s.

2. Technical Specifications

Eye: Up-Turned, Tapered Loop-Eye.
Wire: Heavy Wire.
Shank/Bend: Tapered Shank, Forged, Modified Limerick/Sproat bend.
Finish: Black.

3. Historical Context

The TMC 7999 was Tiemco’s flagship hook for traditional Salmon and Steelhead wet flies. It was designed to bridge the gap between the classic English aesthetics (like Partridge or Allcock) and modern Japanese manufacturing precision.

The “Tapered Shank”: As noted on the packaging, the shank is tapered. This means the wire diameter thins as it approaches the eye. This is a high-end feature found in traditional salmon hooks to allow the fly tier to create a very small, neat “head” on the fly, which is considered a mark of quality in salmon fly tying.
Current Status: This specific model is discontinued. Tiemco still manufactures hooks, but the 7999 has been phased out, making it highly sought after by traditionalists who prefer its specific geometry and the quality of the black finish.
Fun Fact: The “Loop Eye” (where the wire returns to touch the shank but is not brazed) is a nod to gut-eye hooks of the Victorian era. It prevents the sharp cut end of the wire from chafing the leader material during a long fight with a heavy fish.

4. Usage & Equivalents

Best Used For: Traditional Salmon Wet Flies (e.g., Jock Scott, Blue Charm), Steelhead Wet Flies, and Hairwing Salmon flies. The heavy wire ensures the fly sinks well and can withstand the power of anadromous fish.
Modern Equivalent:
- Daiichi 2441: Very similar black finish and geometry.
- Alec Jackson Spey (Black): Similar aesthetic, though often with a slightly different bend.
- Partridge M (Single Wilson): The classic English equivalent.

5. Technical

The TMC 7999 is a heavy-wire, forged salmon iron with a traditional black finish. It features a tapered, up-turned loop eye designed to facilitate small thread heads. The bend creates a wide gape relative to the shank, utilizing a modified Limerick curve for optimal holding power. The point is chemically sharpened with a low-profile barb.

6. Collectability

Ranking: 6/10
Reasoning: These are “usable collectibles.” They are not antiques from the 1800s, but they are discontinued, high-quality Japanese steel that many expert fly tiers prefer over current production models. Finding them in the original 100-count boxes (like the blue ones shown) is becoming rare. They have a cult following among Steelhead anglers in the Pacific Northwest.