My first Five Minutes of Fame Q&A 7

[Mike G]

If everyone gets 15, this must be my first five. Though I do not appear in the Q&A video, Kelly is talking to me. It is my question. There's his thoughts on hook orientation. Interesting observations on Clousers.

 

 

 

 

 

[Guest rich mc]

what a way to start the new year interesting answer he gave. my take is have the first hook point up and the second down but what do I know I have never tied a double hook fly yet rich

[John Gillio]

what a way to start the new year interesting answer he gave. my take is have the first hook point up and the second down but what do I know I have never tied a double hook fly yet rich

My thoughts also. Does anyone out there do one hook up and one down?

 

Thanks Mike.

[Rob G]

Excellent Mike, really enjoyed the Q & A.

Did you receive your box of flies and a Woody hat yet?

 

One thing I see a conflict with is that he mentions that when you hook a fish with a Clouser, it's like glue and most hook sets end up in the lower jaw anyway and yet he also states that he turns his hooks down for the added benefit of sticking the fish's lower mouth with all its irregularities. It seems it may not matter which way the hook rides.

 

Thanks again for sharing.

[Terry Dodge]

COOL! Congrats on your 5 minutes. Good question.

[Mike G]

My thoughts also. Does anyone out there do one hook up and one down?

 

Thanks Mike.

Rich and John,

 

One up and one down is a new wrinkle. Kelly would not do it because he firmly believes down is best for his streamer fishing method qhich he uses in fairly snag free water with the fly at mid depths. He allows that, if you want to touch the brush or scrape the bottom, down might not be the ticket.

 

Excellent Mike, really enjoyed the Q & A.

Did you receive your box of flies and a Woody hat yet?

 

One thing I see a conflict with is that he mentions that when you hook a fish with a Clouser, it's like glue and most hook sets end up in the lower jaw anyway and yet he also states that he turns his hooks down for the added benefit of sticking the fish's lower mouth with all its irregularities. It seems it may not matter which way the hook rides.

 

Thanks again for sharing.

 

Rob,

 

The topic is a real can of worms. To understand what Kelly is saying in QA 7, it is best to take it in context with the first 6 QAs. Kelly is a old time guide who knows that the clients usually want fish. Unless some other factor like snags enters the picture, hook point down is the answer. But it occured to me that some of the irregularities on the bottom of a bass's mouth are gills which extend quite forward on the bottom. (photo from a paper on the web)

 

So, the rest of the story, is that hook down has some disadvantages for the fish. Rich will tell you that Dan Blanton has been advocating tying point up on EC 410s and 413s for some time now since it hooks in the top of the mouth most often. He has quite a following in salt water fly fishing. So for further study check this article. http://midcurrent.com/flies/hooks-the-jig-is-up/

 

 

As they sat, "Once you open a can of worms, the only solution left is a bigger can."

 

Thanks for all the comments. Let's get this figured out before ice-out.

[John Gillio]

Thanks for the big can of worms Mike. It would have been truly appreciated in my bullhead fishing days ( Ineed to fry up a bunch of those little critters again someday).

 

Adding to the can: I have been a bottom dredger on most of my outings, so I do prefer the hook up. One problem I have with this is the number of smaller fish that take a hook to the eye or worse. Even larger fish on occasion, when throwing a larger fly. I would feel better about my hook up outings if someone would tell me this is all in my head.

[Mike G]

Thanks for the big can of worms Mike. It would have been truly appreciated in my bullhead fishing days ( Ineed to fry up a bunch of those little critters again someday).

 

Adding to the can: I have been a bottom dredger on most of my outings, so I do prefer the hook up. One problem I have with this is the number of smaller fish that take a hook to the eye or worse. Even larger fish on occasion, when throwing a larger fly. I would feel better about my hook up outings if someone would tell me this is all in my head.

 

 

that brings back fond memories of Spring Caught Bullheads - a dish that deserves more respect.

 

I hope this makes you feel good. Yep, it is all in your head. But the hook is also in the Bass's head. So we have to live with some risk of puncturing a sensitive spot or switch to crewel. I have seen photos and heard reports of 20" + Smallmouths that were blind in one eye. Loss of an eye does not seem to have kept them from reaching that mythical 20. On the other hand I have not heard of fish surviving with gills missing. Dream tonight of a one eyed fish thanking you for not ripping his gills out. Peace!

[Rob G]

 

 

One problem I have with this is the number of smaller fish that take a hook to the eye or worse.

 

Simple solution you silly goose, "catch larger fish"

OK, solved that one and now moving on

 

Not that I ever want to hook a fish in the eye but it's just not a common occurrence when I fly fish for smallmouth, whether my streamer has hook up or hook down. Now fishing for largemouth and using 4/0 and 5/0 hooks different story, because of the much larger gap size, it occurs more frequently. Oh, and I don't feel too guilty when my spin and casting brethren are tossing cranks with two big trebles, those are far more likely to catch an eye.

Just the way eye see it.

[Mike G]

what a way to start the new year interesting answer he gave. my take is have the first hook point up and the second down but what do I know I have never tied a double hook fly yet rich

Rich and John,

 

You got your wish. Kelly must have designed the Broke Back Craw just for you.

 

 

Nice looking Craw, huh?