Re: Barbless Fly Hooks

[MT Williams]

Bob, good point! I am sure many of us have wondered why the heck barbs 
continue to find thier way onto hooks. Recently, I heard a friend of mine 
assert that the manufacturing process is such that the barb is incremental 
to securing a "grip" upon the hook. You open question is prompting me to do 
some research.
Michael T Williams    Eugene, Oregon
----- Original Message ----- 
From: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Tuesday, November 16, 2004 12:29 PM
Subject: Barbless Fly Hooks


With more and more catch and release Lakes and streams around the country, 
and more and more fly anglers who prefer to release their catch no matter 
where they're fishing, shouldn't the manufacturers of fly hooks follow 
suit and begin to make ALL of their hooks barbless?

Apparently studies show that the barb makes little difference in whether 
or not a fish stays hooked, so what's the advantage? I know flattening the 
barb with a pair of pliers is easy to do but I've heard of fisherman on 
C&R waters who forgot to do so, were checked by a WDFW agent and issued a 
citation. Also, inspite of the relatively small barb on most fly hooks, 
releasing a fish becomes more difficult and is more likely to cause 
injury. So what's the point of the barb?

Bob Martin