My thoughts are turning to getting set to tie up a supply of nymphs and spiders etc. for next season on the river. I would appreciate a few ideas on the best hooks for successful hook ups, preferably barbless as I am never entirely happy with a squashed barb. Any suggestions. Full circle?? Do they work? ATB, Alan.

In my experience, Circle hooks do not make good fly-tying/fishing hooks.I tried them and the results were not good.
Can you explane why you have reservations about crushed barbs.

Jim

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The Fishermans Friend is the Flirty Fly,Fickle Food for Fleeting Fish.

Yep. Perhaps it's just me but I never seem to get the barb satisfactorily flat. I think that if I catch a de-barbed hook in my shirt or even worse, in my finger and it doesn't slip straight out easily, then it isn't as safe a barbless and so not great for a fish either.

Crushed at the tying stage,rather than on the riverbank gives total control of the end result.

Jim

__________________
The Fishermans Friend is the Flirty Fly,Fickle Food for Fleeting Fish.