Fishing for trout, mostly stocked rainbow, and roughly 2 out of every 3 fish have the hook pull out before I can get them to the net. Fly fishing with beadhead nymphs. Hook size between 14 and 20. Landed fish were on both larger or smaller hooks- hook size not apparently the issue. Any thoughts on what I’m doing wrong?
Trout have a very soft mouth, I have had many hooks pull,you may want to take a little bit more time landing the fish and also check your hooks and sharpen the points if nessissary .
Thanks. Hooks are sharp. I’ll start using the reel with a light drag & see if that helps. There’s a fairly stiff current where I’m fishing and that’s probably helping the fish.
Good luck hopefully that will help
I agree, it sounds like hook size is not the issue if you are getting fish on other size hooks. It is just luck of the draw that the fish are being lost with regard to hook size. I believe Loveatightline hit it right on the button. To much drag on very soft mouthed fish. If the condition allows, try to move downstream with the fish so that you are 90 degrees from the bank and fighting the fish rather than the current. Also remember in running water with a fish like trout that jump a lot and run both up and downstream, slack line becomes an issue. It only takes a microsecond and about 1/4 inch of slack to have a small hook come out.
Went back to the river today. Netted 8 and only had one pull out. Putting the fish on the reel with a light drag seems to be the key. Thanks again for the advice
just not holding your mouth right
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