Gar on the Fly

Aaaaaaalmost had one...it struck at least a half dozen times, but I couldn't get a solid hookset.  Anyone here try those rope flies?  If so, are they do-able for C&R tactics?  (Basically, once tangled, can you un-tangle the fish quickly and easily enough for the fish to be okay?)  I'm not opposed to tying them up and just cutting the rope pieces to release the fish either.

Any particular style or color or specific rope to use too?  
 
Also, are they spawning right now?  I'm not familiar with gar habits, but the two I saw seemed to be acting strange.   If they're spawning, disregard the above, I'm not interested in pestering them while they're trying to do their thing.

Thanks, dUUd.
 
The strikes I got were, as far as I could tell, legit.  I could see the lighter coloring of the inside of the mouth, so I'm assuming the mouth was open.  The strange part for me was that there were two in close proximity to one another, but none to be found elsewhere in the area.  Of the two, one wanted nothing to do with any fly, while the other would chase/follow anything I threw at it, though it'd only take blue streamers.
 
Also, for the first take, the fish bit, I tried a hookset, and there was no resistance at all, and I saw my fly sink to the bottom of the pool, apparently bit off.
 
When I pulled my line in to re-tie, though, my mono-loop was still intact, and there were no signs of abrasion.  I'd say it's possible that somehow I missed the hook eye when I tied my loop (just went through the material), but the loop held up to repeated casting.
 
My only conclusion is that gar are magic fish.

a gar will roll and wack prey with its snout to stun/disoreient it
you are probably setting the hook too soon

So ya know....some of the strikes I got were more of a closed mouth "bat" at it...no chance for a hookset.
 
 
 
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