Gamakatsu S10-2S Hooks

The Gamakatsu S10-2S is a specialized hook designed primarily for use as a stinger or trailing hook in articulated fly patterns. It features a 2X short shank, an up-turned eye, and a unique, slightly offset point that provides exceptional hooking and holding power. The hook's design minimizes leverage that fish can use to dislodge it during a fight, a common issue with long-shank hooks. Manufactured by Gamakatsu, this hook is chemically sharpened to a needle-sharp point and forged from high-carbon steel for superior strength and durability.

This hook's specific geometry makes it the preferred choice for the rear section of multi-part streamers. The short shank allows the tied materials to extend past the bend, creating lifelike movement without fouling, while the wide gap ensures a solid hookset on fish that strike the tail end of the fly. Its up-eye is critical for creating a clean and strong connection point when using materials like beadalon wire or heavy braid to link it to a front hook, ensuring the fly tracks true in the water.

Example Flies

• Kelly Galloup's Dungeon: This iconic articulated streamer uses the S10-2S as its rear stinger hook. The fly is constructed in two parts, with a marabou tail and flash tied on the S10-2S, which is then connected via a flexible wire loop to a longer front hook. The short shank of the stinger allows for a full, flowing tail while providing a solid hooking point right at the back of the fly, drastically increasing hook-up rates with trout that slash at the fly's tail.

• The Sex Dungeon: A variation of the original Dungeon, this pattern also relies on the S10-2S for its rear articulated section. The stinger hook holds the rear marabou and rubber leg components, connected to a front hook that supports a spun deer hair head. This configuration gives the fly its signature profile and swimming action, and the S10-2S ensures that strikes directed at the highly mobile rear half of the pattern result in a secure connection.

• Schmidt's Double Deceiver: This pattern is an articulated version of Lefty Kreh's classic Deceiver, designed for more movement and a larger profile. The rear half is tied on an S10-2S, featuring saddle hackle feathers for the tail. This trailing hook provides a critical hooking point deep within the fly's long profile, preventing missed strikes that can occur when a fish grabs only the tail feathers of a single-hook version.

• The Drunk and Disorderly: This articulated streamer is designed with an asymmetrical deer hair head that gives it an erratic, wounded-baitfish action. The pattern's effectiveness hinges on its two-part construction, with the S10-2S serving as the platform for the rear section's marabou and flash. The stinger hook's placement ensures that even tentative strikes at the fly's fluttering tail are converted into solid hookups.

• Cheech's Leech: This simple yet highly effective articulated leech pattern uses an S10-2S for its trailing hook. A tail of rabbit strip or marabou is tied on the stinger, which is then connected to a front hook body made of dubbing or chenille. The articulation allows the tail to undulate seductively, and the S10-2S provides the essential hook point at the very end of this motion, perfectly positioned for fish that inhale the fly from behind.

How to Use It

The Gamakatsu S10-2S is used almost exclusively as the rear hook in articulated fly patterns. To incorporate it, you first tie the tail section of your streamer onto the S10-2S. Then, a flexible connection is created by looping a material like 19-strand beading wire or 30lb+ braid through the hook's up-turned eye and securing it with crimps or strong thread wraps and super glue. This connection is then attached to the bend of the front hook, allowing the rear section to pivot freely. The up-eye design facilitates a straight pull and helps the fly track correctly without keeling over during the retrieve.

Why We Like It

The primary advantage of the S10-2S is its purpose-built design that directly translates to a higher landing rate for large fish. Its short shank and wide gap dramatically reduce the leverage a hooked fish can exert, preventing the hook from being thrown during head shakes and jumps. The up-eye is perfectly angled for articulated connections, ensuring the fly swims true and the joint is durable. Furthermore, the hook embodies Gamakatsu's reputation for surgically sharp points and incredible strength, providing instant penetration and the confidence to apply heavy pressure on trophy-class fish without fear of the hook bending or breaking.

Comparable Materials

A frequently used alternative to the Gamakatsu S10-2S is the Owner Mosquito hook. While both are short-shank, wide-gap hooks prized for their sharpness and strength, they have key differences. The S10-2S is a dedicated fly tying hook with a pronounced up-eye designed specifically for articulated streamer connections. The Owner Mosquito is a versatile bait hook adopted by fly tyers; its eye is less angled, and its bend is more rounded. Tyers often choose the S10-2S for its optimized eye angle for wire connections, while the Mosquito is sometimes preferred for its slightly lighter wire and availability in a wider range of sizes.

Gamakatsu S10-2S vs. Owner Mosquito Hook