Good for you. I don't let clients unhook fish on their own on walk and wades, I simply trust myself to treat the fish quickest and fastest even with or without a barb, so I don't have that issue. They are in my net, after all, and unless the fish is a beast I usually unhook, give a quick glance to the client showing the colors or characteristics, and zip off she goes... I usually don't even lift them out of the water but for a brief 2 second glance. 99% of the drifts net the fish and haul those big rubber nets right up into the boat to unhook the fish, whats worse?
On that topic... I guess if you are in a boat and on the oars I can see your point, and sure I'd be barbless in a boat too, more for my own safety.. but yes if clients are the ones unhooking the fish, for sure, barbless all the way as it's better for the fish.
I dont know where the forum clowns have it in their heads that I have anything but the fishes best interests in mind. Anyone who has gone on a trip with me can vouch for my handling and care and passion about the fishes well being. I don't guide for tips, I guide to see enjoyment on peoples faces. Period. Matter of fact there are so many idiots out there guiding now that I have basically left the scene... tired of the way most of the fellows treat the river, their fellow fisherman and guides, and fish themselves.
The point I am making is that the same people struggling to unhook fish and dragging them up on banks and mistreating them now, probably didn't bother to crimp their barbs anyways. What is going to change? In fact, I would have to dig around but wasn't there a few studies that suggested barbless hooks actually caused MORE mortality due to multiple punctures during a battle instead of one?
Just some food for thought.