I'm just looking at getting into tying, and doing my "research". Since I thought I'd just tie "barbless" hooks instead of "mashing" them down after the fact, I began looking at the offerings of various manufacturers. That's when I came across this from the Daiichi site:

"Contrary however to common logic, studies of hooked fish in Idaho and Oregon have confirmed that barbless hooks can actually inflict more damage to a fish than barbed hooks.? Therefore, barbless dry fly hooks are less popular (or practical) than dry fly hooks with mini-barbs."

Now I really am confused. I did a Google search to try and find the above studies, but thus far haven't produced anything supporting the statement. Although I have found plenty to support: Barbed or Barbless? When it comes to fish mortality rates it doesn't make any difference one way or the other.

Anyone care to comment?

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---David

(formerly known as "cluess", and only the name has changed)