birchy Posted April 8, 2011 Share Posted April 8, 2011 Hey all, Had my first trip of the year last week on the Bow and had a few on briefly, but lost them all pretty quick. Didn't think too much of it until we were in the parking lot packing up.. checked my hooks and they were dull as can be! A few books that I've read mention that this is probably one of the most overlooked aspects of fly fishing.. and it sure makes the different with your hookups/landed fish ratio. I have two questions: I have the sharpener in the attached picture, and I've always had a difficult time sharpening my hooks.. especially on the small flies. As you can see, the grooves are lengthwise along the stone, and so you basically have to stick the sharpener inside the gape of the hook. Kind of tricky. Does anyone have any tips on how to make this easier? Maybe I need a different style sharpener? Secondly.. how often do you guys/gals sharpen your hooks? Do you tend to "forget" too? I know I've heard Jim McLennan say that you should sharpen your hook after every fish that gets off, or everytime you get snagged on bottom. Just curious how many people actually do this? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flyfishen Posted April 9, 2011 Share Posted April 9, 2011 Most definately for the large hooks I do as Jim M. say and sharpen them with a sharpener that is similar to yours. For the small hooks, I tie my own flies so I just tie on a different hook and I'm back in business. Hey all, Had my first trip of the year last week on the Bow and had a few on briefly, but lost them all pretty quick. Didn't think too much of it until we were in the parking lot packing up.. checked my hooks and they were dull as can be! A few books that I've read mention that this is probably one of the most overlooked aspects of fly fishing.. and it sure makes the different with your hookups/landed fish ratio. I have two questions: I have the sharpener in the attached picture, and I've always had a difficult time sharpening my hooks.. especially on the small flies. As you can see, the grooves are lengthwise along the stone, and so you basically have to stick the sharpener inside the gape of the hook. Kind of tricky. Does anyone have any tips on how to make this easier? Maybe I need a different style sharpener? Secondly.. how often do you guys/gals sharpen your hooks? Do you tend to "forget" too? I know I've heard Jim McLennan say that you should sharpen your hook after every fish that gets off, or everytime you get snagged on bottom. Just curious how many people actually do this? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FraserN Posted April 9, 2011 Share Posted April 9, 2011 I use a small file, or a small piece of sandstone for small hooks. I am very mrticulous about sharpening my hooks often when I am on the river. It makes a big difference in my hook-up percentage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
npauls Posted April 9, 2011 Share Posted April 9, 2011 I have a couple small finger nail files that I keep in my pack. It seems to do a pretty good job of keep the small hooks sharp when needed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bandi Posted April 9, 2011 Share Posted April 9, 2011 I do the "nail test" for checking my hooks every time I tie them on. So, I too file my hooks often. For smaller hooks, I use those pencil like round/flat/grooved file. It's is easier with them, but still cumbersome. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Conor Posted April 9, 2011 Share Posted April 9, 2011 I try to sharpen my hooks often, but I am not as diligent as I should be, especially with small hooks. I haven't found the best tool option yet. I like to sharpen on the side of the stone. I think the sharpeners Birchy posted are really for bigger hooks, and not very useful for most flies. This winter I picked up some small diamond hones. I might fix one to my chest pack, and see how that works. It still bigger than I need (maybe 1"x2") but I can use just the edge and corners for small hooks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Austin Posted April 9, 2011 Share Posted April 9, 2011 Yea i have never sharpened my hooks and they seem to do just fine but i should probably look into getting them sharpened soon. I have actually never thought of sharpening my hooks for some reason. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darrinhurst Posted April 9, 2011 Share Posted April 9, 2011 Yea i have never sharpened my hooks and they seem to do just fine but i should probably look into getting them sharpened soon. I have actually never thought of sharpening my hooks for some reason. Um....yeah.....me too. Might explain a lot..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishinglibin Posted April 9, 2011 Share Posted April 9, 2011 I sharpen mine with the narrow pencil type with the groove on one side. I should do it more often. I have been told there is actually a proper way to use those sharpeners. I guess I lost the instructions but am sure the internet or you fishers have the method. I here running the hook one way over the other is more effective, but do not recall which way. I do know you should not run it up and down the shaft, just in one direction. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigtoad Posted April 10, 2011 Share Posted April 10, 2011 I do know you should not run it up and down the shaft, just in one direction. Good advice.... I believe you could go blind doing it that way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ruffsranger Posted April 10, 2011 Share Posted April 10, 2011 Yes, keep your hooks as sharp as you can. If Jim McLennan says so, why would you question it?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilverDoctor Posted April 10, 2011 Share Posted April 10, 2011 No one has really mentioned the type of fishing you do in regard to sharpening. When nymphing for example, where the fly is hitting rocks I tend to check every 4 to 5 casts, If I hook bottom, for sure a solid sharpening after that, or usually a change to a sharp fly. Fishing streamers will also dull a hook nicking bottom or wood. Fishing dries is a different matter, I don't check them as often as they are either in the air or on the water film. If my fly attracts a bush or grass, I usually do a check. Met a young fellow on the water who was complaining lots of short hits with no hookups. Checked out his nymphs and they where the dullest I've ever seen, but wouldn't take a bit of advice to touch them up. Funny how people will spend thousands on equipment and not address the one bit that actually does the most good, the point of the hook. I believe dull hooks will harm a trout, instead of a solid quick penetration, you can end up ripping before a hook penetrates if at all. Ive seen these ripping gashes on trout and I have too much respect for our fish to do that. I like my hooks sticky sharp, a great many flies you buy or hooks for tying are sharp but not to my liking. A couple of swipes is enough. At the end of the season during the winter is a great time to go through all your flies and touch them up for the season as a start. You can use stones and files, I use a small Diamond Flat File. Move the file towards the point across the bottom and two sides to form a triangle toward the point. You're looking for just a sharp point not to file down the integrity of the point, if you get the sharpened area too long it may fold or curl. The time to practice this is at home not on the water. Lots of good sharpeners out they but they are useless in your pocket. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest 420FLYFISHIN Posted April 10, 2011 Share Posted April 10, 2011 i use the pen style sharpener. I like the groove that it etched in, but i usually forget untill i snag bottom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flyfisher Posted April 10, 2011 Share Posted April 10, 2011 I use the pen style (Eze Lap) sharpener to. Its a real handy design. The Mustad sharpener is big and glunky, making it difficult to sharpen small hooks. Sticky sharp hooks equal better hook ups! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flyfisher Posted April 10, 2011 Share Posted April 10, 2011 I use the pen style (Eze Lap) sharpener to. Its a real handy design. The Mustad sharpener is big and klunky, making it difficult to sharpen small hooks. Sticky sharp hooks equal better hook ups! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ÜberFly Posted April 10, 2011 Share Posted April 10, 2011 Where'd you buy that one?! P I use the pen style (Eze Lap) sharpener to. Its a real handy design. The Mustad sharpener is big and klunky, making it difficult to sharpen small hooks. Sticky sharp hooks equal better hook ups! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishinglibin Posted April 10, 2011 Share Posted April 10, 2011 Good advice.... I believe you could go blind doing it that way. Which is why my hooks are dull. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flyfisher Posted April 11, 2011 Share Posted April 11, 2011 Where'd you buy that one?! P Some of the fly and tackle shops here in BC carry them. Can't remember specifically which ones. Pretty sure I picked one up at Michael & Young in Vancouver/Surrey one time. Check the EZE-Lap web site for suppliers in your area. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ÜberFly Posted April 11, 2011 Share Posted April 11, 2011 Cool, thanks! P Some of the fly and tackle shops here in BC carry them. Can't remember specifically which ones. Pretty sure I picked one up at Michael & Young in Vancouver/Surrey one time. Check the EZE-Lap web site for suppliers in your area. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brunsie Posted April 12, 2011 Share Posted April 12, 2011 Uber I have an eze lap as well. Pretty sure I bought it at FishTales BK Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ÜberFly Posted April 12, 2011 Share Posted April 12, 2011 Thx! P Uber I have an eze lap as well. Pretty sure I bought it at FishTales BK Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.