Fly Fisherman- Don't do what I Did

VaTom

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Yesterday I went fly fishing for trout. As the waters warm in June the stocked trout season in Virginia ends so been going frequently. Trout have been hitting on small copper john nymphs tied behind another nymph or streamer. I was preparing to tie on a very small copper john (size 16) that had 18" of tippet attached and was holding it in my lips. BAD IDEA! Next thing I know I am hooked on the inside of my lip with the small barb embedded. Couldn't get it out so hiked back to car dreading having to go to a emergency medical place with the virus situation. Got to car where I could use mirror to see damage. Decided to try to remove it myself. Iced it with a cube of ice from my tea and then pushed it out. Hurt like crazy during the removal. Went back to fishing and feels ok today!

Best lessons I live are learned the hard way!
 
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There is a bait fish rig called a Sabuki rig that we use to catch skip-jack herring for cat-fish and striper bait. It is a bunch of little flies with tiny hooks on one main leader.

I got entangled in one once across my face and chest. The level of profanity exceeded any opening of dove season and would have gotten me an honorary drill sergeant placement in the Corps.

I feel your pain. The smaller the hook, the worse it seems to hurt!
 

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Over the years I have taken out several hooks from people, I always carry a good pair of nippers in the truck, you want a good sharp pair, I push the hook through and cut it off the tip then back the hook out.
One time a young couple was fishing near me and I could tell she was going to hook herself or someone too close to her, sure enough she hooked herself in the leg, I got my nippers and cut the hook off the lure, I told her she could go to the hospital or I could take it out, her husband said we will go to the hospital and she said you take it out, I told her what I had to do, she said go for it, I pushed the hook through and she didnt even flinch, I put a bandaid on it and she went back to fishing.

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I've removed hooks from myself several times using the string jerk method it's doesn't hurt that bad if done correctly.

Yeah, I can’t count the number of times I’ve had to do that to myself, especially when kayak fishing. The string and jerk method works pretty good. If kayak fishing only, I also push the barbs down. Makes hook removal so much easier......
 
Never caught one on my lip but managed to hook myself on the last trip. I was by myself and had to take this selfie to see what I was dealing with. I pushed down on the shank and managed to back it out. Casting a small dropper nymph can be a real challenge on a windy day!
 

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I bet it was, I caught many of them.[emoji1]

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My wife got hooked in her eyebrow once when we were fishing in Canada. I had a pair of needle nose pliers but they didn't have a side cutter on them. I pushed it through and flattened the barb and slid it back out. She was freaking out. She wears glasses so she probably saved her eye by wearing them.
 
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