If you go fishing frequently it's almost inevitable that you'll hook youself one day

Removing very small hooks is painful enough but larger barbed hooks can do a lot of damage if removed by simply tearing the barb backwards through the point of entry. Crude methods of extracting hooks include cutting the eye off of the hook and pushing the point up to the surface of the skin or pushing the point of the hook up to the surface of the skin, cutting off the barb with pliers and removing it by holding its eye.

Certainly these methods work but they're painful. Fortunately there is a better method described in an article by Jan Fraser which was published in Trout and Salmon in the June 1998 edition.

Here is how it works -

“The person elected to remove the hook forms a loop of nylon of about 16” from 15lb nylon. The loop is slipped over the shank of the hook and the other end wound round the right index finger.”

“The hooked finger is placed on a firm surface with the eye of the hook to the left of the person removing the hook. Using the thumb and index finger the eye and shank of the hook are held to rest on the patient’s hand.”

“The shank of the hook is held to prevent any sideways movement and the manipulator depresses the hook to disengage the barb. If the hook is moved sideways the barb does not become disengaged.”

“With the tip of the remover’s third finger of the left hand, the loop – which must be positioned in the centre of the hook bend – is held against the point where the hook enters the skin.”

 “The operator then pulls hard on the nylon and the hook comes out through an enlarged entry hole. The method is really suitable only for small hooks and if there are any doubts consult a doctor.”

If the hook is near or in your eye or near an artery seek qualified medical attention immediately. It goes without saying perhaps that the hook should be removed from the lure or the line before attempting to remove it. It would also be sensible to check whether your anti tetanus vaccination is current and to apply some antiseptic treatment to the wound.

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