Sharpen those hooks!!

[wirebender]

Started this year to sharpen my hooks at the stream before first cast and periodically during the day . What a difference ! Increased my landing rate dramatically . Carry a file in your vest and use it .

[J Castwell]

Many benefits of 'stopping to sharpen your hooks.' Sharper hooks likely the least of them.

[Clay]

Wirebender, I absolutely agree. In these days when everyone is searching for a technical edge: new reel, new rod, new high tech line etc; I often ask my fishing partners if they would be interested in increasing their catch rate substaintially. Then they ask what new, high tech gizmo that I am selling. When I tell them a file they often look dissapointed. They want to spend more money to get less of a return. I am a firm believer in it is the ONE thing that pays back with the biggest returns. You have to take this comment in the context of a guy who has bought 10 reels and 8 fly rods in less than a year, so I am one of those guys who buys the wiz bang equipment, but the file is much more important than any new outfit. This is one guys opinion. If you try it for a couple of outings, your opinion will change as well.

Learn how to do it properly after you spend $4 on a file: http://www.orvis.com/intro.asp?dir_i...2Bhooks&bhqs=1

I posted the above link more to reference the comments by Tom Rosenbauer, a well known fly fisherman, but I much prefer a file to a stone with a grove cut into it.

This link is more my style: http://www.luhrjensen.com/techsheets...Sharpening.pdf

Rick

[Eric-WD]

I agree, I use a metal fingernail file (4 for a dollar at the dollar store) I bought 8 of them drilled holes in the handle and one is on my tying bench, one on the lanyard around my neck when I fish. it is light enough I dont notice it and cheep enough that if it rusts or is lost im not out much.

Eric

[ohiotuber]

Well every once in awhile, my good buddy Keith (wirebender) has a good thought & actually POSTS it!! Sharp hooks DO make a difference.
It is a fine idea to sharpen those hooks.....good idea to "de-barb" them too. A friend of mine from work was on the AuSable this past weekend, & they ran across a guy who sunk a "barbed" fly in his nose...they had to call the paramedics.
Mike

[Leo C]

Hone it so sharp you get stuck just looking at it, amazing how many more hookups you'll get. Don't forget to retie your flies on as well from time to time. Those once in a lifetime fish don't come often enough and why leave the little things to chance.

I would like to point out however that when you do hone that sharp point hitting rocks and such can slightly bend the point so frequent checks are in order.

Leo C.