Ok so it’s not news…. Alberta’s been barbless for years. This suggestion focuses on the process of de-barbing or pinching the barbs on your flies.

Lots of folks will sit down and de-barb their flies en masse while watching a favorite TV show or NHL playoff game. This is great for the flies you have now but could mean you miss new additions to your fly box. Remember to always check your flies before you cast them in the water and be sure to carry a set of hemostats or pliers with a flat section (no checkerboard edges) with you so you can de-barb the newer additions to the box.  

When de-barbing run your hemostat/plier parallel to the hook shank - don’t pinch across the hook/barb or you’ll weaken the hook.

For those of you who tie your own flies…. You may want to check out Dohiku hooks which is a newer product line available at the store. These are barbless competition lighter wire hooks. Save yourself the step of debarbing.