Just trying not to screw up

I am originally from Erie and but have only been flyfishing for steelhead over the Holidays for a few years. I monitor this forum regularly and it has been very helpful (and entertaining). I remember a couple years ago reading a very good article on the web that may have been written by Cold. If anyone has the site, could you please respond. I thought it had a Hindu theme to it.

The second thing I was hoping for help on, assuming I foul hook a fish, what am I supposed to do? I know I am not supposed to fight the fish, but am I supposed to cut the line, give a couple of yanks on the pole to try to dislodge the hook, or do something else? Like my subject line, just trying not to screw up (or be the subject of your future posts about some knuckleheaded amateur). Thanks for any help.

ORIGINAL: Indyflier

I am originally from Erie and but have only been flyfishing for steelhead over the Holidays for a few years. I monitor this forum regularly and it has been very helpful (and entertaining). I remember a couple years ago reading a very good article on the web that may have been written by Cold. If anyone has the site, could you please respond. I thought it had a Hindu theme to it.

The second thing I was hoping for help on, assuming I foul hook a fish, what am I supposed to do? I know I am not supposed to fight the fish, but am I supposed to cut the line, give a couple of yanks on the pole to try to dislodge the hook, or do something else? Like my subject line, just trying not to screw up (or be the subject of your future posts about some knuckleheaded amateur). Thanks for any help.

 
this might be what you were looking for. there are 5 parts, this is the first.
 
http://dharmaofthedrift.blogspot.com/2010/09/lake-erie-steelhead-fishing-primer-part.html
 

ORIGINAL: topdog99

Its OK and good to land a foul hooked fish

most important motive is removing the fly/hook so the fish can continue living.

do not break it off like some idiots do...

I guess I'm an idiot. I try to yank the hook out, usually successfully. If not, point the rod at the fish and yank harder. I think the idiots are the guys who spend half an hour trying to land a tail hooked fish, then let it go floating down the creek when they finally get their precious fly back, then turn around and say what a great fight! What do the WCO folks say about this? Doc???

ORIGINAL: Indyflier

I am originally from Erie and but have only been flyfishing for steelhead over the Holidays for a few years. I monitor this forum regularly and it has been very helpful (and entertaining). I remember a couple years ago reading a very good article on the web that may have been written by Cold. If anyone has the site, could you please respond. I thought it had a Hindu theme to it.

The second thing I was hoping for help on, assuming I foul hook a fish, what am I supposed to do? I know I am not supposed to fight the fish, but am I supposed to cut the line, give a couple of yanks on the pole to try to dislodge the hook, or do something else? Like my subject line, just trying not to screw up (or be the subject of your future posts about some knuckleheaded amateur). Thanks for any help.

I think most would agree with me that the correct thing to do is to try to yank the fly out or break it off. Don't cut the line.

From Don Mathews website:

Don't Play a Foul Hooked Fish

If you foul hook (accidentally snag) a steelhead, snap the line. Tackle is cheap. Most foul hooked steelhead are very difficult to control, resulting in injury or unnecessary stress to the fish. Once foul hooked, they will leap from the water and thrash about, spooking the other fish. If you repeatedly fight foul hooked fish in a crowded section, you'll become very unpopular. Also, you will find most game wardens look at this practice unfavorably.

ORIGINAL: spoonchucker

With the current water temperatures, it is unlikely that you are going to fight even a tailhooked fish "to exhaustion". Put some extra heat on them ( most keep their drags much lower than they need be ), land it quickly, or it breaks off. At least make a reasonable effort to land the fish, and remove the hardware. It not about "saving your precious fly". It's about not leaving it, and perhaps 2-3 feet of line, and having that same fish drug by the tail over & over.

Is fighting a fair hooked fish for 5 minutes or more ( on 2-4lb line ) REALLY any less "exhausting" to the fish. Than fighting a foulhooked fish for the same amount of time, or less?

Spoon, I guess I skipped that part. If I can get the fish in immediately, I will. Which happens in the winter pretty often. If I do break it off, it's 99% of the time at the hook. Guess my knots suck.

ORIGINAL: spoonchucker

With the current water temperatures, it is unlikely that you are going to fight even a tailhooked fish "to exhaustion". Put some extra heat on them ( most keep their drags much lower than they need be ), land it quickly, or it breaks off. At least make a reasonable effort to land the fish, and remove the hardware. It not about "saving your precious fly". It's about not leaving it, and perhaps 2-3 feet of line, and having that same fish drug by the tail over & over.

Is fighting a fair hooked fish for 5 minutes or more ( on 2-4lb line ) REALLY any less "exhausting" to the fish. Than fighting a foulhooked fish for the same amount of time, or less?

 
 
Stop making sense.

simply point rod tip at fish and pull straight back...

welcome back halupka, lmao

when you know it's fouled, gently bounce the rod a little (slack tight slack tight)  and often times the hook will come out

if not, put heavy pressure on and haul him is as fast as possible .
If large fish in good health, and dorsal hooked , get it over with quick, cause you prob'ly ain't gonna get him to net or beach in a reasonable amount of time...unless you're using anchor rope for line
  ...put HEAVY pressure on til he comes in side ways , breaks off, or hook bends and pulls out

use some brains, if the fish can be hauled in in a reasonable amount of time, do so and remove the hook.
if not, point the rod at the fish as he runs and ideally the hook will bend and pull out, next best is break off at the knot 

..L.T.A.

I just point it straight at the fish and let it go slack.  I'd say 90% of the time it comes right off.

ORIGINAL: genieman77

when you know it's fouled, gently bounce the rod a little (slack tight slack tight)  and often times the hook will come out

if not, put heavy pressure on and haul him is as fast as possible .
If large fish in good health, and dorsal hooked , get it over with quick, cause you prob'ly ain't gonna get him to net or beach in a reasonable amount of time...unless you're using anchor rope for line
...put HEAVY pressure on til he comes in side ways , breaks off, or hook bends and pulls out

use some brains, if the fish can be hauled in in a reasonable amount of time, do so and remove the hook.
if not, point the rod at the fish as he runs and ideally the hook will bend and pull out, next best is break off at the knot 

..L.T.A.

Exactly what I do Genie. But I've seen guys at 20 mile snagging fish in the tail, and actually playing it for a long time, and then bragging about what a great "fight" it was.

If the fly won't pull out I land the fish as quickly and gentle as possible and carefully unhook it. I've never seen one go belly up. I fear leaving a long length of line can cause more harm such as tangling around the fish or a log.

Couldn't agree more I try getting them off at least 30 seconds after hooking. There is just too much stress to the fish when you foul hook them

ORIGINAL: FiveMilePete

ORIGINAL: Indyflier

I am originally from Erie and but have only been flyfishing for steelhead over the Holidays for a few years. I monitor this forum regularly and it has been very helpful (and entertaining). I remember a couple years ago reading a very good article on the web that may have been written by Cold. If anyone has the site, could you please respond. I thought it had a Hindu theme to it.

The second thing I was hoping for help on, assuming I foul hook a fish, what am I supposed to do? I know I am not supposed to fight the fish, but am I supposed to cut the line, give a couple of yanks on the pole to try to dislodge the hook, or do something else? Like my subject line, just trying not to screw up (or be the subject of your future posts about some knuckleheaded amateur). Thanks for any help.

I think most would agree with me that the correct thing to do is to try to yank the fly out or break it off. Don't cut the line.

From Don Mathews website:

Don't Play a Foul Hooked Fish

If you foul hook (accidentally snag) a steelhead, snap the line. Tackle is cheap. Most foul hooked steelhead are very difficult to control, resulting in injury or unnecessary stress to the fish. Once foul hooked, they will leap from the water and thrash about, spooking the other fish. If you repeatedly fight foul hooked fish in a crowded section, you'll become very unpopular. Also, you will find most game wardens look at this practice unfavorably.