Northwest Fishing Reports

Lost mine and need another. So thought I'd ask everyone for opinions on what you consider the best. I'm looking for something small, don't use any hooks larger 1/0, and probably 98% in the 6 - 8 range. Leaning toward a pocket or belt style, diamond hone with hook groove. Must be durable and easy to use in cold temps when wearing winter gear.

I bought a couple from Auburn Sports and Marine this summer. I've used the flat fine diamond panel one, about 1" wide and 6" long, 1/8" thick, and it works great. The round one with the groove I haven't used yet. They are both 'Eze-Lap brand. The round one looks like a short ink pen with a clip for your pocket, the end comes off to expose the hone rod.

Used on Dropshot hooks so far.

I have one that came as a freebie with a Cabelas order. It's little ceramic rods bound in a plastic frame, it has two of the rods pinned up against each other for hooks. They work excellent but I'd never use it on anything smaller than an 1/0, just too small, toss 'em and tie on a new one. It also has a couple of the rods in an X configuration for touching up a blade, that works good too.

Have looked at the Eze Lap and the Dr Slick, neither will rust, both are diamond abrasive, and they are both small.

Can't tie on a new small hook when it's integral to the fly (I don't tie my own) nor the plug. A few strokes with the sharpener keeps the points sharp until I either replace the fly or change hooks on the plugs.

Read of guys taking a pair of chain saw files and taping them together. Supposed to work awesome, but will rust if they get wet. May still try this with some 1/4 pitch files and glue them in a couple wood or plastic blocks - cheap and effective.