Exactly Lance. I have a buddy who guides spring creeks with very fussy eaters. While others believe it takes 6.5-7x to trick those fish, he proves them wrong all day long, every day with 4.5 and 5x. His clients walk away better anglers by learning how to get a great drift with technique rather than relying on spider web fine tippet. A trout cannot see the difference in two one-thousandths of an inch in tippet diameter. It is all about controlling drag and then being able to bring the fish in quickly and released fresh (and intelligent rod angle is imperative, both in the fight and on the strike).
In addition to what was said ahead here I’d like to add that sometimes a stouter hook can work against things. Tougher to set through bone and cartilage because it is thicker and a dull stout hook feels really dull. If the hook is not set to the bend there can be a ton of leverage way out near the point making bending easier. Ymmv but with trout I seem do do better with standard wire as opposed to heavy wire. The exception being bends due to underwater sticks and above water trees.
Last edited by John Sv; 03-31-2021 at 05:47 AM.
Another 'point'....
I have been fishing barbless for about the past 40 years.
I think it is easier to get the hook penetrated without a barb.
Especially, years ago with the giant barbs on the old Eagle Claw and Mustad hooks.
I do like some of the hooks now with smaller "wisker" barbs.
*Kaufmann's Streamborn Fly Shops had Umpqua Feather Merchants tie all their flies on babless TMC hooks some years ago.
Bill Kiene (Boca Grande)
567 Barber Street
Sebastian, Florida 32958
Fly Fishing Travel Consultant
Certified FFF Casting Instructor
Email: billkiene63@gmail.com
Cell: 530/753-5267
Web: www.billkiene.com
Contact me for any reason........
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