Well put Don, Personally I love playing fish by hand and actually find that when a fish first takes the fly (especialy a dry fly) that it's almost easier to play by hand. I've lost fish bying going to the reel too soon and not being able to reel fast enough when a fish makes a run directly at me. But just like you stated A BIG fish can really do you some damage if played by hand.
Jim ----- Original Message ----- From: "DonO" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Saturday, June 18, 2005 8:20 AM Subject: Re: [VFB] Playing a fish by hand - was Fish Retreval ??? > Some things to consider in playing the fish on the reel or by hand- what is > your situation? > > First- Will you be in the backing with a very strong fish capable of making > unstoppable runs? > (Saltwater, salmon, steelhead, etc...) The backing is very hard to hold on > to, and very hard to feed out with your hand with friction to mimic a drag. > Also, a strong fish can cut you to the bone if the backing finger-wraps. > And, the last thing you want is loops of loose line whipping around when the > fish decides to make a run. Reels are designed with drag systems, but they > can't work if you fight the fish by hand. So I always play a big fish from > the reel so the drag can do it's job, and loose loops don't create problems. > > Second- What's around your feet? If you're wading in a stream or lake, the > fight is on the fly line, and there's nothing below you or around you, then > it's a lot of fun to play a fish by hand. If you're in a craft, is it set > up for loose line to be around your feet or on the craft? What are the > chances of getting fouled up? If you're on the shore, what are the chances > of getting fouled up on bushes, snags, rocks, etc.? If your casting has > been pretty snag-free with the loose line, it's a safe bet that the line > won't get fouled playing a fish. But if casting is plagued with snag-ups, > then it's a good possibility that will happen while playing a fish by hand. > > It's a lot of fun playing a fish by hand, and I'll do it whenever I can. > But sometimes it's just not the best or right method. > > Opening the floor to other comments... > > DonO > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "edward s engelman" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > To: <[email protected]> > Sent: Friday, June 17, 2005 4:35 PM > Subject: Re: [VFB] Fish Retreval ??? > > > > I almost never use the reel. Ocassionally I will for a large fish, but > even > > then I prefer the hand to line combat method. > > > > Ed > > > >
