Stainless Steel Saltwater Fly Tying Hooks about 450 Mostly Mustad 3407, 34007

It sounds like you have a substantial collection of stainless steel saltwater fly tying hooks, primarily Mustad models 3407 and 34007. These are excellent choices for saltwater fly fishing due to their corrosion resistance and durability. Here’s a breakdown of what you have and some potential uses:

Mustad 3407 & 34007 Hooks Overview:
– Mustad 3407 – A classic straight-eye saltwater hook, popular for tarpon, bonefish, permit, and other saltwater species. It has a 2X strong, 1X long shank and comes in a bronze finish (unless yours are specifically stainless).
– Mustad 34007 – Similar to the 3407 but with a turned-down eye, which can help with fly alignment and prevent line abrasion. Also 2X strong, 1X long shank.

Key Features:
– Stainless Steel – Great for saltwater use, resisting rust better than standard hooks.
– Sizes – These hooks typically range from 2 to 6/0, with the most common saltwater sizes being 2, 1, 1/0, 2/0, 3/0, 4/0.
– Uses – Ideal for streamers, crab/shrimp patterns, baitfish imitations, and large saltwater flies.

What You Can Do with Them:
1. Tie Saltwater Flies – Great for patterns like:
– Clouser Minnows (2/0–4/0)
– Crazy Charlies (2–1/0)
– EP Baitfish (3/0–6/0)
– Merkins (crab patterns) (4–2/0)
– Tarpon Toads/Poppers (3/0–5/0)

2. Sell or Trade Excess Hooks – If you have more than you need, these are in demand among saltwater fly tiers.

3. Organize by Size – Since you have ~450 hooks, sorting them by size will make fly tying more efficient.

Potential Considerations:
– Are they truly stainless? Some Mustad hooks are bronze-finished high-carbon steel (which can rust if not dried properly). Verify if they’re labeled “stainless” or “corrosion-resistant.”
– Hook Sharpness – Older hooks may need sharpening before use.

Where to Buy More (If Needed):
– Retailers:
– [J. Stockard Fly Fishing](https://www.jsflyfishing.com)
– [Fly Shack](https://www.flyshack.com)
– [Hareline Dubbin](https://hareline.com)

Would you like recommendations for specific fly patterns or tips for organizing your collection?