"Question: How can I better set the hook when fishing size 20 and smaller hooks? I have such a hard time getting small hooks into fish—even small fish, especially when swinging emergers. I get frustrated feeling the tug, only to set the hook and pull the fly right out of the fish's mouth.
Joshua B., Belgrade, MT
Answer: THIS IS a very common problem, and I threw the question out to some guide friends who regularly fish with tiny patterns.
Jackson Hole-based guide, tier, and author Scott Sanchez notes that Joshua is facing more than one problem:
“There sound like two issues: Small hooks and swinging flies. Swinging soft hackles and wet flies is deadly, especially on fish that are feeding on caddisflies. Unfortunately, you will always get some strikes without a hook up. I think fish are following the swing and hit the fly, pushing at the hook bend and not the point. The point is away from them, and the fly is moving the same direction as the fish.
On small hooks, the hook-up rates goes down exponentially with size. The solution is to use hooks with bigger gaps. A Dai-Riki 125 or TMC 2488 are big-gap emerger hooks, and you can tie a size 20 fly on a size 18 hook. Tie the flies sparse, so that the body doesn't block the hook gap. Beadheads can block the hook gap on small flies, as well. Use a bigger gap hook or a longer shank hook, to keep the hook point available.”
Brant Oswald—a Livingston, Montana, guide best known for his mastery of the Paradise Valley spring creeks—addressed Joshua’s question so fully that I won’t even try to paraphrase him. This is brilliant stuff:
“As I guide, I find that teaching people how to hook fish more effectively makes a big difference in the number of fish landed. Even experienced anglers who are well above average in overall skills have rarely thought much about this part of the game. Somehow, when clients measure up their success at the end of the day, they tend to forget the fish they missed or lost right after the hookup. I feel I have done the lion's share of my job when I put a client in position to get the fish to eat the fly, but I won't get credit for any help until the fish is in the net..."
Click below to read the rest of the article by Phil: http://www.midcurrent.com/flyfishing/tinyhooks.aspx
This fine rainbow is sent to us by a Fortress Lake guest and Manitoba fly fisher Andrew, who has been fishing the Parkland region's lakes extensively the past few years and watched many of the lakes develop astounding trout. This fine rainbow came out of a lake in its 4th season of growth.Hi All,
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The article was the foundation of a very recent Fly Fisherman magazine where they also discussed tests performed on Michel Creek where high concentrations the selenium were detected and the impact on insect and fish populations. Sounds pretty ugly for the Wigwam Drainage, Flathead River drainage and maybe some impact on the Elk.
Just an fyi.
As we started to set up for the day we realized that I left the anchors in the garage. Good one Bob. It was completely my fault. Of course the wind was blowing so what to do? Well I emptied the liner from one of my Sorel boots and filled it with rocks. A spare rope tied on to the sealed boot and presto, instant anchor. Well the fishing was ok. We did manage to get 14 to hand. Many rainbows in the 17 inch range. It was darn cold again today. We put foot mats on the bottom of the pram to keep our feet from becoming bergs. 
The province has issued a public health advisory recommending that people limit their consumption of some fish caught in Alberta waters.
The province said test results found high enough levels of mercury in certain fish to prompt the warning.
"While levels of methylmercury identified do not pose an immediate health threat, limiting consumption is the best way to reduce any long-term health risks," said Dr. André Corriveau, Alberta's Chief Medical Officer of Health. "I recommend people who eat fish frequently from these bodies of water either avoid or limit their weekly consumption."
It's now being suggested that pregnant women, women of child-bearing age and children do not eat the following:
The province said mercury found in fish in Alberta waters likely originate from natural sources.
Once in a lake, mercury is converted to methylmercury by bacteria or chemical reactions. Fish absorb methylmercury from water as it passes through their gills, or from the prey they eat.
Fish like walleye and northern pike accumulate more methylmercury as they are known to consume smaller fish.
For more information on mercury advisories visit: www.albertaregulations.ca
