06-17-2011, 06:12 AM
Only way to go for catch and release fishing in my opinion.
I don't go out of my way to tie barbless flies, but I often smash down my barbs when fly fishing with light wire flies.
They are going to go back anyway, so one or two getting off during a fight is to be expected and no big deal. Much less harm to the fish, better hook penetration with less effort, and no stuck dropper flies in the net, clothes, or hooked in the body of the fish.
I do replace treble hooks on lures with barbless ones for fishing high mountain lakes. Those feisty brook trout seem to get all three hooks stuck every single time.
It's a good practice in my opinion.
[signature]
I don't go out of my way to tie barbless flies, but I often smash down my barbs when fly fishing with light wire flies.
They are going to go back anyway, so one or two getting off during a fight is to be expected and no big deal. Much less harm to the fish, better hook penetration with less effort, and no stuck dropper flies in the net, clothes, or hooked in the body of the fish.
I do replace treble hooks on lures with barbless ones for fishing high mountain lakes. Those feisty brook trout seem to get all three hooks stuck every single time.
It's a good practice in my opinion.
[signature]