Tinyfly Posted August 19, 2018 Share Posted August 19, 2018 Out casting dry 20s the other night around 8:30 on the Crow (for me really nothing more fun than 20” fish on size 20 dries on that river and there’s been some fun this summer) and as I was tying a new fly on I went to pinch the barb and gave up in the smoky low light. Had to get my lamp out to do it which took more precious time so I asked my buddy if he always pinched the barb on 20s. Casting to 18” + fish I’m not sure the barb on a hook that small is much harm. I usually do it anyway b/c I just like to follow the rules (usually in daylight right after purchasing). But got me thinking should it be optional on smaller hooks especially 20s? End up breaking some when I pinch them. On the other hand some of these fish are caught many times a season so maybe that tiny barb does take a cumulative toll even on a small hook? They are beautiful healthy fish (especially browns seeing many more big browns this year) and I certainly want them to stay that way. Like to hear from anyone your honest practice and knowledgeable input... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishinglibin Posted August 19, 2018 Share Posted August 19, 2018 Welcome to FFF. Good point. I would try barbless, but also break that small. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scel Posted August 19, 2018 Share Posted August 19, 2018 It was only a couple years ago that I was finally convinced to go 100% barbless. It is not that sz20 does notable damage to the fish, but sz20 are already hard enough to locate (which causes stress to the fish) and remove without ruining the fly. If I am up for the challenge of casting a sz20, I can probably accept the additional challenge of barbless. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilverDoctor Posted August 19, 2018 Share Posted August 19, 2018 I always pinch, even the small ones. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dangus Posted August 19, 2018 Share Posted August 19, 2018 Echo what scel said. Especially in cold water when your hands become useless bats. Really tough taking small flies out that still have their barbs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swede Posted August 19, 2018 Share Posted August 19, 2018 Problem is you also catch small fish on small flies. You will tear up a lot of little mouths if you don't de-barb your hooks no matter how small they are. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ÜberFly Posted August 19, 2018 Share Posted August 19, 2018 11 hours ago, Tinyfly said: I usually do it anyway b/c I just like to follow the rules Just a point of clarification... "Legally", you do NOT have to pinch the barbs in Alberta! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tinyfly Posted August 20, 2018 Author Share Posted August 20, 2018 8 hours ago, ÜberFly said: Just a point of clarification... "Legally", you do NOT have to pinch the barbs in Alberta! Didn’t occur to me! I seem to remember now there was only one? barbless year and Ive fished barbless for 20 +yrs anyway so never bothered to check on that again. Eyes just getting old now thus the query. But in my mind it’s always been a good “ rule “ for fish health so I make it my practice. Plus in the end you save time to catch more fish as we know... Some great posted replies thanks all! Nice point scel about saving the flies too, never considered that. I’ll continue 100% barbless and maybe invest in a special tool rather than just nn pliers... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ÜberFly Posted August 20, 2018 Share Posted August 20, 2018 33 minutes ago, Tinyfly said: I’ll continue 100% barbless Me too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonAndersen Posted August 20, 2018 Share Posted August 20, 2018 Debarb hook when tying or watchong sports Don Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lakerman Posted September 3, 2018 Share Posted September 3, 2018 or do like I did for a few hours. Fishing away, fish slashing the fly, no hook ups only to realize later on the hook broke at some point and the fly still in tact., had to laugh at myself. Now that's catch and release. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1961flyman Posted September 3, 2018 Share Posted September 3, 2018 I keep the barbs on my hook until usage. I have 4 big boat boxes and without the barb, I find a big surprise of loose flies when I open the box. I also have great pliers and a file for de barbing.. Barbless is much better especially if you have to dig them out of your clients heads etc ..Much easier on Fish too.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
professori Posted September 10, 2018 Share Posted September 10, 2018 I always debarb my flies at the vise as I am tying them. The only issue with this is when I am gifted a fly or if I purchase some. I have found myself fishing one of those flies and suddenly realize it still has a barb, as I seldom check my fly for a barb before tying it on, as 99.9% of what I fish I tie. p.s. I fish mostly in BC where barbed flies aren't allowed in most streams. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OneMoreLastCast Posted September 26, 2018 Share Posted September 26, 2018 As Doc said, pinch the barbs when tying. I know this isn't an option when buying flies but to avoid the frustration of trying to properly pinch the barb on the river or in the dark, do it at home when you buy them before putting them in your boxes. I had the debate with a friend who asked why I pinch the barb before tying the fly at the bench. It was a simple answer that I'd rather not tie the fly, then pinch the barb and break the tip, I'd rather break the tip if it happens before spending the time... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tinyfly Posted September 26, 2018 Author Share Posted September 26, 2018 On 2018-09-10 at 9:54 AM, professori said: I always debarb my flies at the vise as I am tying them. The only issue with this is when I am gifted a fly or if I purchase some. I have found myself fishing one of those flies and suddenly realize it still has a barb, as I seldom check my fly for a barb before tying it on, as 99.9% of what I fish I tie. p.s. I fish mostly in BC where barbed flies aren't allowed in most streams. So anyone know where we are at with a barbless regulation for AB streams? I seem to remember it was in a year and then out. Sz 18 barbed flies are one thing. Makes me want to cry when I see a spincaster on the Bow hoping to rip into a big brown with a sz8 barbed treble hook. If the fishery rumoured to be in decline maybe time to push barbless or fly fishing only for the Bow Crow etc. Probably old news and a tired topic so forgive my ignorance but I don’t understand why we don’t have these regs in Alberta especially where streams are release only. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trailhead Posted September 26, 2018 Share Posted September 26, 2018 On 03/09/2018 at 4:50 PM, lakerman said: or do like I did for a few hours. Fishing away, fish slashing the fly, no hook ups only to realize later on the hook broke at some point and the fly still in tact., had to laugh at myself. Now that's catch and release. I have had that experience, kept hooking fish and losing them. But they were rising so aggressively I kept casting. Finally checked the hook after I lost a particularly nice fish and no hook, just the shank of the humpy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WayneM Posted October 10, 2019 Share Posted October 10, 2019 I de-barb all my hooks before I tie them. That way I’m not struggling streamside to get it done. More time with a fly on the water and all that. 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.