So I went out on my birthday today, after some advise on here and looking at my options decided to try meon springs.
A beautiful morning, very clear water, lots of torpedos gliding through the water.
What more could I want.
No fish were rising, but I could see them gliding along near the bottom occasionally darting off to feed I assumed.
I thought I would try one of own tied gold ribbed nymph creations (a red seal fur collar with some flash in the tale) with a gold head to get it sinking nicely.
I had two trout within the hour, one of them had a small tail and gave up the ghost quite quickly, the other the hook was set perfectly in the scissors of the mouth and it gave a very good account of itself.
Another couple of casts and then I would try the c&r beat.
It was fairly windy (well that is my excuse) (and it has been about two years since last fishing) when a MASSIVE gust of wind caused my cast to go completely wrong and caused the below:



I tried to pull it out, but I forgot to debarb it in my haste to go fishing, so had to go to casualty and have them cut it out

It was good fly though, and luckily they didn't have to cut it so it lives to fish another day

Was that a PB ? cause I`ve seen some bigger blokes on the bank

__________________
Even a man who Is pure in heart . . . . . . .

OUCH

I bet it smarted a bit.

ouch !! Stopped using barbed hooks years ago first thing i do before tying a fly is flatten the barb with the vice unless they are already barbless hooks of course, makes life much easier too when landing fish, may loose the odd fish but then again probably hook more in the first place with not having to pull the hook past the barb, much easier also if you happen to get a hook in your clothes, or yourself!!

Ouch! Wouldn't it be common sense if all hook manufacturers started making their models in barbless version too. They would even be cheaper.

Johan

__________________
Johan Janssens

Bet that hurt,i came across a pic the other day on a website of lad who had a fly stuck in his eye but can't for the life of me find it now.Real good add for wearing shades i say

Neil

Surprised you missed a lughole that size Dom,
Glad you are none the worse for it.
S.

__________________
"A glint of sun has warmed the air,The flies will soon hatch out, To lure and tempt from their deep lair, The bonnie speckled trout." SKB tackle supporter. I love Furled Leaders.

Heard that arguement before ut it would be google it on here but the way they make hooks suits having a barbs as the machine uses this to hold it but without the barbs they have to use a special machine.

Think thats right

__________________

you need to start cutting the tag ends off tighter, very messy knot.
shave wouldn't go amiss either.

__________________
I will arise and go now, and go to Innisfree,9 bean rows will I have there and a hive for the honey bee.

Just looked at the pic again,don't you trust the knots you tie? as that looks a rather long tag end

EDIT,should learn how to type faster

Neil