Barbless flies

[craig1]

This weekend in a competition i was told that barbless flies cause more damage to a trouts mouth then a barbed hook ? The mans reason was because when a trout shakes it head the fly makes more holes in the fishes mouth . i believe its a load of ... but what are yours guys views on this ?

[Gerrit Viljoen]

Makes MORE holes hehehe

[saml]

This weekend in a competition i was told that barbless flies cause more damage to a trouts mouth then a barbed hook ? The mans reason was because when a trout shakes it head the fly makes more holes in the fishes mouth . i believe its a load of ... but what are yours guys views on this ?

Hmmm the idea that the hook could shake loose and repierce a few time in the fight certainly seems feasible but i'd still think that four holes from a barbless hook would heal easier and quicker than one tear from a barbed one.

[smallstreams.co.za]

Does not make sense at all. Go babrless and stop listening/worrying about crap like this.

[markdej]

Thats some of the biggest crap ive heard in aages... Whoever said that with a straight face is not someome id like to play poker against!

[Andre]

You heard it in a competition???? the guy who told you, probably wanted you to fish a barbed hook so you would be disqualified.... shows you some of the bollocks that you get from competitions. No seriously, competition is not all bad, mostly good, but that is a complete load of hughey. Go barbless all the way.
What causes the damage, and yes barbs do, is the way the fly is handled when removed. I have seen fly fishermen lift a fish out of the water by the fly. Even a barbless hook is going to cause damage if it supports the fish's full weight, especially if hooked in the scissors. so, handle the hook properly, and a barbless hook will do very little long term damage. The way the fish is brought to the net and released, is far more critical that the possibility of hook damage.

[Glans]

The next conscious environmental step is to limit the hook size thickness and penetration length. The future here we come.
Step one: Scan the waters first to determent the maximum fish size
Step two: Use table to match the hook size to the smallest fish that you probably could catch.
Step three: Select the hook size fly from your fly box.

Beware if you get caught with one size to big for certain waters.

[craig1]

haha i didn't listen to this guy . Just thought i would share some of the great advice i was given! haha .

[Andre]

haha i didn't listen to this guy . Just thought i would share some of the great advice i was given! haha .

Ya, it is quite funny, but you will be surprised at how many fly fishermen believe this. There was a thread on a UK based forum a while back, where this was being debated, and some of the opinions were quite interesting. Also you need to remember that a plattened barb, is not always the same a barbless hook. Some hook brands dont flatten well, leaving a very ugly micro barb which can also cause problems. Flettening the barb is better than a full barb, but it's important to know that the barb has been flattened properly.

[FCLoretz]

He probably had some OBS hidden in his waterpack and was to wasted by the time he gave you the advice to realise this isn't 1926 anymore