Hi Andrew
Yes, most folk don't realise just how painful a barbed hook can be to remove from oneself and how difficult
Most seem to think that it will happen to someone else, or is just a problem for beginners
I have seen some very experienced anglers hooking themselves, or worse still somebody else
I have approached a good number of the major fly companies and asked for barbless flies ......... they are not interested
Some make a few patterns available at a premium price
this is rubbish
It should not cost any more to produce a barbless hook or to supply flies tied on them
They are not interested because it would mean doubling their range and of course their stockholding
There is certainly room for at least one supplier to go barbless only
It appears that even as a trade customer, I still do not have the "clout" to make them sit down and put some serious thought in to this
I would love to see an angler campaign on this
Many of you visit various forums ........ would it be possible to spread the word and do a mass sending of "letters" to all the magazines asking for barbless flies?
What do you think folks
Best wishes
Mike