Setting the hook downstream.

[deaddrift]

Had an AWESOME day on the Housy last Sunday. Landed 14 'bows on my new Greys 4wt that Harold set up for me. Problem was I lost at least another 20!!! Most of the hookups were at the end of the swing on the first twitch or two of the retrive,directly downstream, on green or black conehead wooly's. Question is-how can I set the hook on a strike thats straight downstream and coming at me.

[AaronJasper]

Go and look at the tip of the month, "don't set the hook like a sissy." The hookset and rod angle are there. Watch it and let me know of you have any questions.

[deaddrift]

Aaron-thanks for the prompt reply. I did watch your tip of the month. You suggest to set the hook "downstream". In this case-the strikes were on the retrive-at the end of the swing-coming directly at me-facing straight downstream. no chance to set it downstream. I tried left, right, up. Couldn't seem to get a good set.

[BlackLabel]

I personally like to strip and lift up when setting the hook with streamers. I beleave that is what you are refering to. When you are fishing with flies that are downstream from you there is no way to set the hook downstream. Try stripping and setting the hook.

[deaddrift]

Thanks BLACKLABEL-will try that out.

[craigw]

there most definatly is a time and place for a slow down and across swing with a streamer. it can even be a deadly tactic in the winter. the problem with it is missing hook sets. on the swing strip into the strike before you lift. when the fly is on the hang below you it is important not to point the rod tip at the fly keep it at an angle so the violent strike is absorbed . with the fly directly downstream the fish has to hook themselves, any strike on your part will likely result in a miss.

[Nymphmeister]

I agree with Craig W's reply.

I would keep your rod tip in the 10 o'clock position if you are retrieving upstream with a streamer or wet fly. The bow in the line this will create will generate just enough slack (while still maintaining tension & contact with your fly) to allow the trout to take your fly & turn away and hook itself. Remember, trout don't grab, they inhale, and without a tiny bit of slack, they will often be unable to suck it into their mouths.

[Davyfly]

Like it or not you will lose and prick fish when they take at a downstream angle.
Other than what has been said here the best advice l can give you is this. The vast majority of anglers wait till they feel the fish, watch the line the instant you see it move set the hook. It has to move before you feel it, by which time often as not the fish is on the way to eject the fly, rod high position is a good tip as that will allow also for you to watch the fly line at the point it enters the water, action of rod is also a consideration.
Rods with a more mid flex action lesson the instant of a tight line that allows for a fish to kick the fly.

DW

[nutman]

here is how we do this on the west side . This is the hardest thing to do .most guys want set the hook like a bass fisherman .
If you fish with a sink tip on a streamer or for that matter with a weigth ,when the fish grabs make sure you have a loop at your reel let it go free when he hits (this takes practice) let it run .The sink tip will pull the fly into the corner of its mouth .The general term is to say (God save the queen )then pull back on the rod gently. once you learn this you wount have to strip you can put the fly in front of the fish let them take and bang they are on ,also wide gapped hooks help here

[Davyfly]

Nutman,

I can agree with this so far as Salmon and Steelhead, for the reasons that both these species tend to turn after taking the fly.
With respect here l have watched 100s of trout take flies while being in a position either above or below the angler fishing, and what l see is that the trout tends to snatch the fly and in consequence feels the very quickly the tension, cause as a rule by the either the angler pulling the fly away form the fish or simply the weigh and drag caused by the fly line, or both.

The one lesson l learned many years ago wet fly fishing was to have at hand slack line to instantly be released in case of smash takes, which may at times happen often, particularly during caddis hatches and at times when light conditions give the fish little time to see the fly and make the decision to nail it.
Saying that there is a very slim difference so far as setting the hook the instant you see the line move and a fish that smash takes you.

Davy.