The Hanak Competition H390BL Klinkhammer & Emerger Hook is the hook of choice for tiers who take their emerger and dry fly patterns seriously. Built on a fine wire klinkhammer bend, the H390BL positions the hook point below the surface film while the fly body and wing hang in or above it — the exact posture of a natural insect struggling to emerge. Whether you're tying klinkhammers, CDC emergers, gammarus shrimp, or parachute-style dry flies, the H390BL's geometry does the work that straight-shank hooks simply can't replicate. Barbless (BL) construction, black nickel finish, and Hanak's competition-grade consistency across every hook in the pack.
The Klinkhammer Bend: Why Hook Geometry Matters for Emergers
The klinkhammer bend is one of the most imitation-specific hook designs in fly tying. The downward-angled bend positions the hook shank below the surface film, allowing the fly body to hang subsurface while the parachute or wing post sits on top — mimicking the exact posture of a mayfly or caddis in the act of emerging. On pressured tailwaters and spring creeks where trout have seen every presentation, that anatomical accuracy is often the difference between a refusal and a take.
The H390BL's fine wire construction keeps the hook light enough to fish on fine tippet without sinking the fly, while still delivering the strength to handle hard-running fish on 5X and 6X. The wide gap accommodates the bulkier bodies of gammarus and scud patterns without compromising hook-up geometry, making this one of the most versatile hooks in the Hanak lineup — equally effective for surface and subsurface presentations.
Hanak H390BL Hook – Features
- Klinkhammer bend — positions hook point below the surface film for anatomically accurate emerger presentation
- Fine wire construction — light enough for dry fly and emerger fishing on fine tippet, strong enough for hard-running fish
- Wide gap — accommodates bulky gammarus, scud, and emerger bodies without compromising hook-up geometry
- Barbless (BL) construction — competition-legal, catch-and-release friendly, cleaner penetration on light takes
- Black nickel finish — low-visibility, corrosion-resistant coating
- Competition-grade quality control — consistent wire gauge, bend geometry, and gap dimensions across every hook in the pack
- Available in sizes 14, 16, 18, and 20 — covers mayfly and caddis emergers down to small midge and micro-emerger patterns
Hook Size Guide for the H390BL
- Size 14 — larger klinkhammers, caddis emergers, PMD and green drake patterns, gammarus
- Size 16 — all-around klinkhammer and emerger size, BWO, caddis, and hare's ear emergers
- Size 18 — smaller mayfly emergers, CDC emergers, technical tailwater and spring creek patterns
- Size 20 — micro-emergers, midge emergers, trico and baetis patterns on highly pressured water
Hanak H390BL Specs
- Hook Style: Klinkhammer / Emerger / Gammarus
- Wire: Fine
- Bend: Klinkhammer
- Point: Barbless (BL)
- Finish: Black nickel
- Sizes: 14, 16, 18, 20
- Best for: Klinkhammer patterns, CDC emergers, parachute dry flies, gammarus, scud patterns, Euro nymphing point flies, technical dry fly fishing, competition fly tying