Northwest Fishing Reports

I went fishing to a place that's a selective gear rules water. So, I picked what I thought were going to be the 3 best lures, threw them in a box and headed out. I did get bites, lots of bites, but not a single hook. Looking at the lures, I noticed that the one I used the most was somewhat dull. Could that be the reason none of my sets took? Or would you chalk that up to too soft/slow reaction sets?

I think dull hooks could definitely be the problem. Hook files are great fishing tools and should be in every tackle box.

bigastrout wrote:I think dull hooks could definitely be the problem. Hook files are great fishing tools and should be in every tackle box.

What's the best kind of hok files? I've seen the mostly flat kind, the roundish kind, and the electric kind. Maybe there's some out there that could double as a knife sharpner? Or is that not doable?

I use a Dremel Multi Pro (cordless) rotary tool with a flat cutoff disk attached to it. When I tie up flies, I grind down the barb totally and touch the point with it running. It does a great job. You can also use it for detail work in hobbies or around the house.

http://www.dremel.com/en-us/tools/tool- ... 04&I=69677

http://www.target.com/gp/search.html/60 ... _1&x=0&y=0

I've tried a bunch of different hook sharpening tools but not, I'll admit, the one mentioned by Marc.

My favorite is the flat type and the one made by Luhr jensen is the best in my opinion. In fact
that's the only kind of hook sharpener I keep around anymore...

I used to take it with me fishing, but I've gotten into a routine where I sharpen every hook on every lure when it's taken
out of the box after purchase. My barbless hooks are pretty much all single siwash hooks in the 8 to about 1/0 sizes and I always sharpen them when I install them on the lure. And these ones are the hardest to sharpen. Some hooks (i.e the red gammies I use for steelhead fishing) are pretty sharp when they come out of the package but for some reason the stainless steel single siwash hooks are always dull even though the ones I buy are made by the same manufacturer.... and those stainless steel single siwashes are the hardest ones to sharpen so if that's what you were using I would say that "dullness" could have very well been the problem...

I check a hook for sharpness by running it lightly, but point first, over one of my fingers... if it's always trying to stick.. it's sharp.. if it's easy to slide along the skin then it needs a little more attention.....

Hooks are cheap. I buy the best you can and change them when they need it. It's just as fast to change them once you get the hang of it and the split ring pliers. No one can make them as sharp as the mfg. Owner hooks all the way. Do a blind test. You'll never go back. Gami's are good too. Fresh hooks make a clean penetration and are less likely to rip flesh. That's key to keeping them on or releasing them sorta unharmed (they heal faster).

Marc Martyn wrote:I use a Dremel Multi Pro (cordless) rotary tool with a flat cutoff disk attached to it. When I tie up flies, I grind down the barb totally and touch the point with it running. It does a great job. You can also use it for detail work in hobbies or around the house.

http://www.dremel.com/en-us/tools/tool- ... 04&I=69677

http://www.target.com/gp/search.html/60 ... _1&x=0&y=0

That's a good idea. I have a Dremel and could give it a try easily. Although, a stand for the dremel would make it a bit easier.

I am sure Marc's idea does the best shapening job and I am going to try it one of these days.=d>
But you can't take it to the field. [-x So I use a small handheld hook file. I looked for smallest one I could find so it wouldn't take a lot of space in the tackle box. This way its always there and I never have to leave it behind due to space issues.

Mikey wrote:

Marc Martyn wrote:I use a Dremel Multi Pro (cordless) rotary tool with a flat cutoff disk attached to it. When I tie up flies, I grind down the barb totally and touch the point with it running. It does a great job. You can also use it for detail work in hobbies or around the house.

http://www.dremel.com/en-us/tools/tool- ... 04&I=69677

http://www.target.com/gp/search.html/60 ... _1&x=0&y=0

That's a good idea. I have a Dremel and could give it a try easily. Although, a stand for the dremel would make it a bit easier.

A tying vise is probably cheaper than a Dremel attachment.

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templ ... &noImage=0