Unhooking Trout

[ytotani]

Many a times the hook will be lodged deeply on the upper flap? of the trout's mouth (right near the eye). Am I setting the hook too quickly? I read somewhere, this may happen when the trout is "turning" after its rise.

On my most recent outing, I had trouble removing the hook from this particular area of the fish's mouth (the flap right underneath its eye). Suggestions on hook set and removal are appreciated.

(not my fish, but that is the general area I am talking about)

[darrin terry]

I've had that problem a few times as well and I wish I could offer some advice on how best to remove the hook in this case. Even with smashed barbs that can be a tough spot to remove a hook.

What a brute of a brown though. Very nice and too bad it's not yours.

[fflutterffly]

First off the barbs, if you do crush them, should be well crushed. Secondly, when this happens to me I place my hemostate as close to the insertion point. In my mind this keeps the stiffness of the hook. It just seems to make it easier.

[fly addict]

Get one of these if you want to release a fish unharmed. The medium size is the one I find the most useful.
http://www.riverbum.com/Lamson-Ketchum- ... TAod_3OLFA
Mark

[NorcalBob]

Side hookups are common when fishing streamers, just like in your picture. This usually happens because big trouts try and eat a small fishie head first, and when they turn after the strike, you pull the exposed hook point into the side of the mouth. Hook removal can be difficult in this location if the barb is present. Removal of barbed hooks from this location usually damage the maxillae (fish lips!), since they are quite fragile. Doesn't cause much serious harm to the fish, but the damage is quite ugly. The best solution is to crimp those barbs down for easy hook removal and far less damage to the fragile tissues around the mouth.

[atomicfly]

beyond crimping the barb it helps immensely to file down the barb area. obviously do this at home where it's much easier. i simply mount the fly in a vise and use a file from a cheap set of small files i picked up at harbor freight.

eric
fresno, ca.

[ytotani]

Thanks for the response guys!

I know I'm not the only one that feels that the joy of catching fish is taken away when you can't release it with ease! Last time out, I was really scared of killing them...maybe I did for one or two after struggling to get the hooks out. Such a bad feeling.

Good advice on filing the barbs even after they are crimped down with forceps.

What happens when the hook is left in the side of the mouth? Do fish still feed with some alien object stuck in their mouth?

[Wildman]

I am no expert but have caught several trout with hooks and tippet still attached. I removed them. They sure seemed to be eager to bite my nymph.