Flies

Barbed vs barbless flies

Published: 19th of July 2022 Last updated: 11th of May 2023

The type of hook that's on your fly makes a big difference in the fly fishing experience. And not just for you, for the fish as well. There are 2 types of hooks: barbed hooks and barbless hooks. In this article we'll go over the pros and cons of each for fly fishing.

Here you can clearly see the difference between the two types of hooks:

A barbed and a barbless hook
A barbed and a barbless hook

What is a barbed fly?

A barbed fly is a fly with a hook that has a barb close to the point of the hook. The barb points in the opposite direction of the point of the hook.

Barbed flies
Barbed flies

Advantages of fly fishing with a barbed fly

Disadvantages of fly fishing with a barbed fly

What is a barbless fly?

A barbless fly is a fly with a hook that does not have a barb. It only has the sharp point at the end of the hook. This results in a few advantages and disadvantages.

A barbless fly
A barbless fly

Advantages of fly fishing with a barbless fly

Disadvantages of fly fishing with a barbless fly

Turning a barbed fly into a barbless fly

You can always squeeze down the barb with pliers or a forceps, effectively turning a barbed hook into a barbless one. Just note that you'll always keep a little 'bump' where you pressed down the barb, so it's not fully the same as barbless. In places where barbless fishing is mandatory, at least you can still use your favorite flies by squeezing down the barb on your barbed flies.

Is it better to fly fish barbed or barbless?

There is no easy answer to this question. If you search online, you'll find many different opinions about which one is best. In the end it comes down to personal preference, as well as what you value most. This article has provided you with all the context you need to make that decision.

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