Lo Release

[Fly_Flicker]

Hit the Provo just below the dam yesterday. Had best luck with a hares ear - the smaller the better. Wierdest part was the number of long releases. I had probably 30 fish on and landed maybe 12 - the rest were long releases. It wasn't like they were on for a few seconds only- on for 20-30 seconds and line tight - then they just let go. Haven't had a day like that in years.
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[gstott]

I've found that sometimes happens when using small flies. If the fish is just hooked in the soft tissue, a little pressure can pull the hook free. Cool that you got out though. Beats sitting on the couch []
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[flygoddess]

Weird, I was on the Jordan yesterday and same thing. I was also using a haresear.
Maybe there was some sort of memo we missed. [laugh][laugh][laugh][laugh]
But at least we know it wasn't just trout although, I swear, a couple of mine were.
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[Catcherman.]

Did you have any luck on the jordan?
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[Fly_Flicker]

I guess I was in good company then. Strange that all the fish seemed to get the memo and we didn't. It was good to get out though as it had been several months. Was a bit nippy in the morning though and at first I thought the problem may have been due to ice in the eyelets. By 1:00 PM that was gone though and they still kept letting go. A couple of real nice ones were on long enough to be seen up close, show me the middle fin, and then let go.
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[Tarponjim]

"let go?" [crazy]

I've had it all wrong all these years I guess. I thought it was the fly hooking/holding them, not them holding on to the fly.[]

I guess I just need some velcro nymphs/dries and I'll land every one. They could never "let go!"[laugh]
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[flygoddess]

I think "Let go" makes more sense than "Spitting the Hook".
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[Tarponjim]

Yep, I've never seen one "spit" a hook either. I use the term "unbuttoned" once in a while. "Pulled the hook out" is often accurate, but isn't too "catchy."

Hooks just don't always end up where we want them to, don't always stay where they were first caught, and there's not much we can do about it.
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[flygoddess]

I laugh everytime I hear unbutton....thanks[laugh][laugh][laugh][laugh]
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[Fly_Flicker]

[quote Tarponjim]"let go?" [crazy]

I've had it all wrong all these years I guess. I thought it was the fly hooking/holding them, not them holding on to the fly.[] ""

Until last weekend I thought that also. I had several on that were going away from me with a light bend in the rod, no jumping or rolling, etc and then they just let go! It was a little frustrating as I had a couple on that were pushing 20" that I would have liked to see up close. I went to a smaller strike indicator and that didn't help. Went from a 22 to a 16 and no difference - except fewer hits.

Obvious conclusion is that they became tired of playing with me and just chose to let go!
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[joshomaru]

I have experienced this before. I found my hook was slightly bent open, so I didn't have the most optimum angle for keeping them on.
Just fly for thought....
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[gstott]

That happens to me quite a bit. I always check my hook now if I free a fly from a snag. Often it's bent out like that. I like using the lighter wire hooks because they seem to offer better penetration, but they definitely get bent more easily.
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[flygoddess]

If that hook don't catch any meat, there is no reason they couldn't "let go". I have this problem also with long tailed flies. You have the fish, it's a fighting and pulling, get it up close, they open moth and let it go. I have netted fish that the hook is not in them but the tail fibers are caught in their teeth.

Smaller hooks can help, but again if it can't hook some trout flesh....

I think hook size can be a determining factor though.

Thin hooks are great for snags![laugh][laugh]
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[cpierce]

Besides the hook opening up a bit, I have found that sharpening the hook can help a lot in getting a better hook set.
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[GP]

I agree with CPierce.
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