Product news - Ahrex Hooks

Flies in the Head

Svend Saabye in the process of signing his iconic book “Lystfiskerliv”. Photo: Søren Glerup.

Svend Saabye

Svend Saabye was an artist and fly fisher from Denmark (1903-2004). He was an important figure in the Danish artist community and motifs from nature is what dominated his artist’s career. Nature was a constant factor in Saabye’s life, because he was also among the first to write in Danish and more extensively on fly fishing. He was quite a prolific writer and his most important work is, “Lystfiskerliv”. For a proper translation this title needs a little explaining. “Lystfisker” is Danish for a sports fisherman, but without the “sport” – it translates more directly in to “a passionate fisherman”. This book was more than anything about his love for nature and fishing. Another important publication is “Fluefiskeri efter ørred og stalling”, “Flyfishing for trout and grayling”.

Svend Saabye was an important figure in the development of fly fishing here in Denmark and apart from his love for the Danish streams and lakes he travelled to Norway for salmon.

Søren Glerup knew Svend Saabye, as well as many of the others nestors of fly fishing in Denmark, and has allowed us access to manuscripts previously published in a Danish hunting and fishing journal “Jæger og fisker”, which we’ll be bringing here over the coming months. Saabye’s artist background of course meant that he painted and drew fish. We hope you’ll enjoy these musings and drawings by Saabye.

New hook – XO784 BC Game Changer

Blane Chocklett testing Game Changers on Jack. Photo: Blane Chocklett.

Ahrex Hooks and Blane Chocklett Present the XO784 – The Ultimate Game Changer Hook

Ahrex Hooks proudly introduces a brand-new hook series: the XO784 BC Game Changer – developed in close collaboration with Blane Chocklett. This innovative hook is the first ever designed specifically for the Game Changer shank system.

New hook – PR376 90 Degree Aberdeen Jig

We’re usually not slow to let you know abut new hooks, but it seems that other blog subject have been more important, because we actually snuck in a new hook in the Predator series. It’s getting cold and once in a while, especially as it gets even colder, you sometimes need to pick up the fish on the bottom. On the bottom there’s usually a lot of debris, so fishing an upside-down hook can be a very good idea.

Busy bees

We’re busy bees these days. Well, we’re thankful to say that we are most of the time, but the late fall and following winter, we are a little bit extra busy attending fly shows. Fly shows are important for us. We enjoy meeting all of you, the fly fishers who use our hooks. There’s nothing better than hearing from people who use our hooks. And we appreciate input, even criticism from you – it’s how we get better, how we improve and how we sometimes get ideas for new hooks.

New Year

On Sunday 2023 is over and 2024 is upon us. We’ve had a good and busy year as always, working on all fronts. We enjoyed every second of it and will continue to do so. Let’s take a quick look at what we’ve done on 2023.

Season is over

For most in the Northern Hemisphere winter is either here or fast approaching. This doesn’t mean that fishing is over, but I believe that most of us fish a little less and some not at all, perhaps depending on how diverse you are in your fishing. Here in Scandinavia, lots of fly fishers fish for several different species. In the salt, early winter is actually a very good time to chase for one of the elusive, chrome sea trout that skip the spawning run. Pike are also in season and are hungry, busy feeding and getting ready for the slow winter months and cold water.

IFTS, IFF and Trey Combs

Steve Silverio and UK flytyer Paul Little discussing hooks and flies at the Irish Fly Fair.

On November 11th and 12th, we attended the International Fly Tying Symposium in the US and last weekend we were at the Irish Fly Fair. Being based in Denmark, fly shows always require some travel, so we’ve been busy. Morten was at the IFTS, Søren and myself at the Irish Fly Fair.

Beast Fleye

Bob Popovics and Steve Silverio at the IFTS 2023.

Last weekend, Morten and Steve Silverio were at the International Fly Tying Symposium in Somerset, NJ. We were in place on Hareline’s stand and we want to say thank you to everyone who came by and said hi.

New sizes, autumn and shrimps

We’ve added a few new sizes to our SA 250 Shrimp hooks. The SA 250 maybe be called “Shrimp” and it’s designed specifically for that and it is indeed excellent for tying shrimps, more on that below. t’s one of those hooks that has a name that does imply a very specific usage, but is really more versatile than that.

Bending? No more – the SA 258/PR 358 CA Bendback is here

We’re pleased to, once again, announce the official release of a new hook. We love making hooks, and in particular ones that are made for specific purposes, maybe even a model others would call a niche product. It only makes it better when they are a result of a collaboration with others. In this instance the hook is a result working with Chris Adams (from Australia), who contacted us about a bend back hook for his barramundi fishing.