Actually, not stupid at all McTage. This is very useful. I've messed up a fair amount of clothing over the years and this issue is one of many reasons to use a rubber mesh net. I used to hate getting flies stuck in fabric mesh netting.
Works on some fabric meshes used for nets, not others Brent. In cloth-like meshes it usually works great. In string webbing types meshes if it goes through one of the strings you are usually hosed. Easy enough, pinch the barb and it comes right out.
I agree with Brent. this is a very useful trick. But I have this problem no longer since I flatten the barb of the hooks with pliers. It reduces both the fish injuries and the damage at fabrics. And I haven't notice any carp-loss due to the lack of barb.
Youch. If it is straight in through several layers I am afraid you have may have a creatively charming decoration on your hands. if not you can sometimes push the hoopoint back through and either pinch the barb or better yet cut off the whole hook-point with side-cutters.
No smashed barbs McTage? I have found that that even can mean a hook tough to remove from fabric, I have heard because the barb is bent flat, but can still protrude from one side or the other. Hooked one of my boys in the eye lid when he was small, providence was with me, it was with a bought barbless hook.
I am lazy Gregg. No getting around it. I guess if God intended me to fish with barbless hooks the hooks I buy would come barbless. I have run into a pinched barb actually being harder to perform this little trick than not because the barb is down close and captures a thread on the way out in a way where you cant work it off easily.
you're right about the fact that reality is often subpar with respect to norms. I've had my share of mumbling curses while working to free a sweatshirt or a fish from a barbed hook. now I make it easier for me: first thing I do once I've picked a hook to tie a fly is to crush the barb. It's a battle you'll win at the vice. Your Tshirt will say thanks.
This is exactly what I was meaning before. I pinch the barb with the vise jaws just before tying the fly. I started doing so when I truly injured a carp removing the hook from its mouth. Part of its lip got caught on the barb. I haven't had that problem again since. But you have the final say.
No sweat fellas, you are all of you correct, I should pinch all my barbs instead if just some. No doubt about it. Like I said it doesnt happen sometimes out of laziness but concerning the argument that pinching barbs does not affect catch rates I suspect that is a rationalization to support an ethically superior position. It is simply not possible that the effect is zero. It may be small but the argument cant have it both ways...that it is easier to get out of stuff AND somehow doest sometimes come out of the stuff you want it to stay in when you dont want it to leave. And concerning the thought that you get easier penetration without a barb. Probably valid but anybody who would care to hold a fly while I strip or even trout set to prove the point is welcome. Its gonna go all the way in either way. Just playing some friendly Devils advocate, dont get pissed!
Smashing down your barbs is a good thing and it's something everyone should do. On the other hand. I'd like to meet the person that does everything "you really should do" 100% of the time.
Well Kevin, seems I can't do allot of stuff right lately. Tried to make a semi-serious-semi-quirky video that turned into a farce so I posted it thinking it was funny and triggered the most serious discussion in comments on my blog to date...
haha I know. I was gonna say in my first comment that am I the only one that could tell you were just trying to be funny? I could tell you were laughing at first because you said there wouldn't be a hole but you could see there was on the shirt.
Don't worry Trevor, I wasn't angry at all and I didn't want to seem so serious. But, you know, something got lost in translation. Anyway, such kind of discussion could lend extra interest to any blog
I flatten all the barbs at the vise. I have been for decades. The third time I stuck myself (me, not my clothes) with a fly that I had forgotten to pinch down at the water pretty much converted me.
Actually, not stupid at all McTage. This is very useful. I've messed up a fair amount of clothing over the years and this issue is one of many reasons to use a rubber mesh net. I used to hate getting flies stuck in fabric mesh netting.
ReplyDeleteThanks for this.
Works on some fabric meshes used for nets, not others Brent. In cloth-like meshes it usually works great. In string webbing types meshes if it goes through one of the strings you are usually hosed. Easy enough, pinch the barb and it comes right out.
DeleteI agree with Brent. this is a very useful trick. But I have this problem no longer since I flatten the barb of the hooks with pliers. It reduces both the fish injuries and the damage at fabrics. And I haven't notice any carp-loss due to the lack of barb.
ReplyDeleteWe should probably all do as you say Jorge. We should also put the toilet seat down and take our shoes off at the door. Doesn't always happen!
DeleteI'm with Jorge on this one. Crushed barb is the way to go.
ReplyDeleteYup. To continue the last thought, monitoring your tire-pressure, checking your ferrules after every fish etc. etc. Still doesn't always happen.
DeleteI wish this worked for the back of a car seat
ReplyDeleteYouch. If it is straight in through several layers I am afraid you have may have a creatively charming decoration on your hands. if not you can sometimes push the hoopoint back through and either pinch the barb or better yet cut off the whole hook-point with side-cutters.
DeleteHa ha, good stuff Mctage.
ReplyDeleteIf you say so. Your creative Genious I violated though...
DeleteNo smashed barbs McTage? I have found that that even can mean a hook tough to remove from fabric, I have heard because the barb is bent flat, but can still protrude from one side or the other. Hooked one of my boys in the eye lid when he was small, providence was with me, it was with a bought barbless hook.
ReplyDeleteGregg
I am lazy Gregg. No getting around it. I guess if God intended me to fish with barbless hooks the hooks I buy would come barbless. I have run into a pinched barb actually being harder to perform this little trick than not because the barb is down close and captures a thread on the way out in a way where you cant work it off easily.
Deleteyou're right about the fact that reality is often subpar with respect to norms. I've had my share of mumbling curses while working to free a sweatshirt or a fish from a barbed hook. now I make it easier for me: first thing I do once I've picked a hook to tie a fly is to crush the barb. It's a battle you'll win at the vice. Your Tshirt will say thanks.
DeleteThis is exactly what I was meaning before. I pinch the barb with the vise jaws just before tying the fly. I started doing so when I truly injured a carp removing the hook from its mouth. Part of its lip got caught on the barb. I haven't had that problem again since. But you have the final say.
DeleteNo sweat fellas, you are all of you correct, I should pinch all my barbs instead if just some. No doubt about it. Like I said it doesnt happen sometimes out of laziness but concerning the argument that pinching barbs does not affect catch rates I suspect that is a rationalization to support an ethically superior position. It is simply not possible that the effect is zero. It may be small but the argument cant have it both ways...that it is easier to get out of stuff AND somehow doest sometimes come out of the stuff you want it to stay in when you dont want it to leave. And concerning the thought that you get easier penetration without a barb. Probably valid but anybody who would care to hold a fly while I strip or even trout set to prove the point is welcome. Its gonna go all the way in either way. Just playing some friendly Devils advocate, dont get pissed!
DeleteSmashing down your barbs is a good thing and it's something everyone should do. On the other hand. I'd like to meet the person that does everything "you really should do" 100% of the time.
ReplyDeleteWell Kevin, seems I can't do allot of stuff right lately. Tried to make a semi-serious-semi-quirky video that turned into a farce so I posted it thinking it was funny and triggered the most serious discussion in comments on my blog to date...
Deletehaha I know. I was gonna say in my first comment that am I the only one that could tell you were just trying to be funny? I could tell you were laughing at first because you said there wouldn't be a hole but you could see there was on the shirt.
DeleteDon't worry Trevor, I wasn't angry at all and I didn't want to seem so serious. But, you know, something got lost in translation. Anyway, such kind of discussion could lend extra interest to any blog
DeleteI flatten all the barbs at the vise. I have been for decades. The third time I stuck myself (me, not my clothes) with a fly that I had forgotten to pinch down at the water pretty much converted me.
ReplyDeleteI thought it was a useful demonstration Trevor.