any of ya'll ever use the ketchum release hook remover. my girlfriend got
me one while she was here visiting. what do ya'll think of it?

snake

I think they are too heavy, and just another thing to carry in your vest.
Nice for beachbum saturday afternoon spincasters who are too toasted on
Budwiesers to release that chub who swallowed their hook without getting
their finger stabbed, but I think most flyfishermen have no problem
releasing almost every fish (since they usually are caught in the mouth)
with their fingers, or with their forcepts if worse comes to worse. I don't
know anyone who carries one, but then again, I don't know that many folks
who flyfish....

--riverman

I've been using one for a couple of years. The fish has to have some mass
for the device to work well. If the fish are 6-7" or less, I go with
something else. With larger fish, it works as advertised.

John

Try using use barbless hooks (or crimp down the barbs on regular hooks).
They are very easy to remove without having to clutter up your vest with an
extra gadget.
Bob

bob, why do you hate america so much? you, you anti-gadget extremist.

snake, i had a kr at one time, i lost it on boone's fork during a
spill. it does work as advertised. i never replaced it as i just
use hemostats now.

three essential tools that i use...

1) a good set of non-glare clippers, preferably with a needle
(for cleaning out eyes of hooks) and a file for sharpening hooks.

2) hemostats for hook removal and can be used in knot tying. i
like the flat black ones for stealth.

3) a 30 lb. bogagrip.... been fishin some good trout waters
lately ;-) seriously, a good all-purpose utility tool such as a
gerber.

walt

good lord...

so far the only trouble i have had removing hooks was when a sunfish tried
to swallow it. other than that, it hasn't beeen too difficult so far.


got one

frank hooked me up pretty good with extras like hemostats, clippers, and
lots of other good stuff.

thanks for the advice-
i wasn't really looking for anything like that- didn't know they existed,
but my freind thought it might be something i would like. maybe it will
come in handy one day.

snake

they work great on alaska salmon. but for smaller fish like little rainbows
it can be a bit large.