Keeping the edge...

[Dejon Hamann]

I was wondering if anyone out there hones their hook points on the stream?  What do you use? Have you developed a technique that works?  Do you feel it increases your fish landing ratio?  And do you do it in competition or just move to another fly when you feel it's dulled?

[Todd Oishi]

I rarely sharpen my hooks during a competition. In fact I fished the majority of my sessions with one of my nymphs (three, three-hour sessions) at our 2009 NFFC, without having to sharpen it. I caught fish on other flies, but this particular nymph accounted for over 75% of the fish that I scored during those three river sessions (single-fly-only rule), and never once did I feel that it was necessary to change or sharpen it.

I suppose that it has a lot to do with the technique, style of the hook, presentation and/or the angler's ability to keep the anchor fly from touching bottom so it isn't compromising the sharpness of the hook's point...

[Lance Egan]

With quality hooks, I don't find I need to sharpen during fishing unless I roll a point on a rock or snag.  When needed, I use an EZ lap hook sharpener (pen style) for major work, and my Dr. Slick nippers have a small sharpener for quick use.

[Pete Erickson]

LOL,

this is a funny subject.  Way back when when I was doing a teamusa tryout in Boise, was that 2003 Lance?  I cant remember...

but I was fishing and Walter Ungerman was skeptically (if not suspiciously) watching me nymph a run on the Boise River.  He yelled out to me: "Pete, What type of a hook sharpener do you use on the river?" I replied that I dont---I just change hooks rather than take the time to try and pretend that I'm a Japanese Samurai Sword steel expert in the ways of sharpening an already chemically sharpened hook...

Upon hearing my reply, he just shook his head and grumbled something about a "true" comp angler sharpens his hooks several times during a 3 hour session...

I understood his point(pardon the pun), but for me, I've always felt better switching out flies rather than trying to "re-sharpen" a chemically sharpened hook!

[Lance Egan]

Pete,
I think Boise was spring of 04.

I had the same experience with Walter.  He is too funny.  I did have a sharpener, but mine wasn't up to Walt's specs.  I had a diamond dust sharpener, and the "only one that works" is apparantly a ceramic hook hone.  I'm sure the ceramic is a great sharpener, but as little as I'd use it I don't see the need.

Walter is a fun dude, and has some life experiences that I will never get to go through.