The Trinity River in Northern California (where I live) has a great hatch of very small mayflies. They are probably size 26 or smaller, and very large trout (2 lb+) are gulping these mayflies.

I'm tying size 22 parachutes, which the fish are taking. I've hooked some huge fish (4+ lb.), but missed quite a few.

So what is the secret? Sometimes I'm looking somewhere else, the fish take my fly, I'm late on the set, and still I catch the fish. Other times they seem to spit it out before it goes into their mouth. BTW, I'm using barbless hooks.

I'd appreciate any suggestions.

Thanks,

Anthony