Abstract: A fine gauge looper apparatus for an in-line tufting machine, and preferably for a cut pile tufting machine, comprising a transverse hook bar having slot means in the front thereof, including a plurality of slots on the same needle gauge, opening through the front face of the hook bar to receive the body portions of the corresponding looper hooks, and a plurality of clamp members movably mounted on the front face of the hook bar for releasably clamping the front surfaces of the hooks in order to stably support thin looper hooks in a fine gauge tufting machine of the order of 1/16th of an inch, and for ready movement to an unclamping position for releasing, removing, inserting and replacing individual hooks.