Steps wrote:
Apparently there are occasions where the barb may need going thru , then chop off and draw the hook back. ....
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The method showed on the video is called string-yank, as a medical procedure to extract hooks. I learnt about it on an American Angler or Fly Fisherman Magazine about 20 years ago ( I cannot remember which one but I received both subscriptions). The article was written by a fisho medical doctor. I do not know if he created the method or he only was teaching about it but the case was the explanations and pictures were so good that I learnt to apply the method without any problem. The doctor also told about several self experiences in applying the method with multiple hookings, so bizarre ones, that I think the procedure should work in a 99.99% of the cases. What in the video is not stressed enough is the importance of pushing the eye of the hook against the skin ... this is the key of the procedure, because it turns the hook to a position where the tip of the barb will travell back on the same path the hook made when entered, that is to say there won't be any minimal new trauma nor additional pain, only relief ... that is why I think the procedure should be work always ....
I've applied that method sucessfully, to other people, 6 times, the first five were on trout fly hooks (sizes 6-10 I guess), the last one was one a 2/0 or 3/0 hook that a lady got on her scalp (using a spoon in a place that was fly only
) ... she was in shock, because the pain, while some cops tried unsuccesfully to make the barb going thru the scalp
... I started talking her while I tied the string to the bend of the hook, she was looking to the ground, I pulled the string with a fast and strong movement without warning her and she went on looking the ground and then I put my closed fist in front of her eyesand I asked if she was ready for the procedure when she said "yes" I opened my fist showing the spoon on my hand ... after several seconds she started laughing/crying/kissing me/hugging me/etc ....
I highly recommend to everybody trying to memorize the procedure, ... it is so valuable and rewarding when needed and you can help ...you have to be confident when using it the first time, it will work!. Finally, if it happens to yourself in one of your hands (let's say you forgot to smash the barb ...
) and you are alone... you can tie the end of the string to be pulled to a fixed part ( your car door, your belt buckle, one foot, etc) and make the yank with the hurt hand itself ..
Cheers,
Andres
"If I'm not going to catch anything, then I 'd rather not catch anything on flies" Bob Lawless.