Interesting. Why wouldn't a down eye then be best seeing as how it's angle of pull levers the point and bend into place? I tend to think that the long shank is the traditional hooks undoing when it comes to keeping fish on, angle and direction of the eye being insignificant by comparison.

That having been said, I do trust your judgement and experience and if you say it is so, I'm inclined to believe. I will require articulation and factual support at some point, preferably shared riverside and/or whilst enjoying a wee dram.