Midge and Soft Hackle Hook-ups ....

Got to fish this weekend one of my favorite pieces of water. Fished dry/dropper most of the day with the exception being fishing with a soft hackle for about an hour in the afternoon. Almost every fish I caught on the dry or dropper was hooked in the upper lip. Every fish I caught on the soft hackle was hooked on the lower lip. I thought that was interesting. Anyone know why this happens?

Hi,

I’ll start by saying I’m just going to guess at an answer, as I have nothing in the way of data to guide this really. But if the fish are taking the dry/dropper then turning down at the point the hook is set, then that might increase the number of hookups in the upper jaw. And, if for the soft hackle, they were taking it when it was a bit deeper, maybe they were grabbing and turning their head sidewise, rather than turning down, and so the hook point (being low) cacthes the lower jaw more? Did you notice if the dry/dopper hook ups were perhaps more towards the front, and the soft hackle more towards the side? I think what I’m describing would suggest that might be expected.

As I say, this is just a guess.

  • Jeff