Had a strange day yesterday - hooked about 6 fish in the couple of hours I fished, but only got one in to release, the others got off at the last minute as I put a bend in the rod. The one I landed had the hook in the top lip, and I am wondering if maybe the others were in the bottom lip. Do you think they come off easier if the hook goes into the bottom lip?
Did you check the point of your hook? A dull hook can equal fewer fish in hand.
I did, it stuck into my finger just fine. But still it might be the trouble, will try a different one today.
Were these substantial sized fish (by which I mean at least a foot long, not necessarily monsters) and were you using hooks from a different source than usuaul? It could be that the metal is springy enough that it’s temporarily straightening when you put the most pressure on it.
Actually, the fly was a store-bought one, so I can only presume it was a high-grade Umpqua product. Hopefully it was just one bad apple.
Early on, I had a similar experience when using smaller flys size #18 and below. A friend of mine suggested that I open up the gap and that helped. Some days you are going to lose fish. It happens, even when you are doing everything right.
Several years ago my best friend was missing fish, after a few he pulled his fly in, the line was wrapped around the bend in the hook. He was fishing the fly backwards. I am sure you would have caught that if it were the case.