Welcome to The Weekly Five, Issue 31 – where we go entirely barbless.
Yes, from the Rio Grande in Chile to Wyoming’s North Platte, the adoption of barbless hooks is building momentum. We thought you might like a few talking points to explain to your less cerebral fishing buddies why this is important.
Barbless hooks are essential in fly fishing because they cause less injury to a fish’s mouth, making catch-and-release much safer. They allow for faster and easier hook removal with minimal handling, which reduces stress and greatly improves the fish’s chances of survival. However without the barb to hold the hook firmly, anglers must fish more skillfully, adding an extra level of challenge and reward. Besides, only the cool kids go barbless!
The implementation of barbless single-hook regulations within fishery management frameworks is steadily gaining widespread support. What was once considered merely a matter of trout angling etiquette is now being codified into law across many regions worldwide. People are realizing these simple changes help fish survive more often and support sustainable fishing, so our sport can be enjoyed by future generations. We think this is a good and should be embraced.
Starting January 1, 2026, the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission will require anglers to use only barbless hooks on the North Platte River between Gray Reef and Miles Landing, a stretch that includes the legendary Miracle Mile. The decision follows a 2023 study revealing that up to 72.6% of trout in the Miracle Mile section had signs of prior capture, with 21.4% showing severe injuries like deformed jaws and missing eyes – in case you needed more evidence.
Vladimir Rachenko of VR Design in Ukraine has reported the loss or theft of a DHL Express Courier shipment of 39 Trutta Perfetta 3” reels. The consignment was last scanned in Southern Alberta on route to his Canadian distributor. Please advise of any sightings of this unique batch of dark olive fly reels with silver reel foot being posted for resale.
The missing Trutta Perfetta 3” reels created by VR Design in Ukraine look like this.
When you make it down to the Mexican Mecca of Xcalak, you’ll fish within the federally protected Xcalak National Reef Park – offering world-class fly fishing for bonefish, permit, and tarpon within its pristine flats and lagoons. To support sustainable conservation in this 45,000 acre marine reserve stretching 40 km along the coast from the Bay of Chetumal to the Belize border, anglers must purchase and wear an access wristband for $120 MXN (~USD$7) per day, in addition to the Mexican license. (This is why booking through a specialist fly fishing operator is vital – they know all this stuff!)
Legendary guide, television host and angling personality, Flip Pallot has passed. Just in from Brian Flechsig at Mad River Outfitters: “The family and friends of Philip “Flip” Pallot are terribly saddened to share the news that Flip passed away on August 26, 2025, in Thomasville, Georgia, due to complications from surgery.”
One of the South Island’s more picturesque rivers, the Ahuriri, has moved its opening day from the first Saturday of December, forward to the first Saturday in November – as per recent NZ Fish & Game Council Minutes.
Rodger from The Lindis guides a client on the Ahuriri River © 2025 Southflyfisher
Las Segadas Lodge, Feb 1-8, 2026
Southflyfisher is thrilled to be hosting a group at Las Segadas Lodge for the February 2026 season opener of the world-famous sea-run brown trout fishery on Chile’s Río Grande in southern Patagonia. Four excited anglers have already signed up. There’s space for only two more rods. Interested in coming on this epic trip? Drop us a note and we can chat through the logistics.
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The Weekly Five - 30
Welcome back to The Weekly Five! We’re up to Issue 30 and there’s fishing in the forecast. A run of balmy 12°C (54°F) days means your fair-weather editor has garaged the ski gear, spooled a new textured Scientific Anglers 8wt line onto the Epic Backcountry 7/8, looped on a stiff SA Absolute FC leader, and is heading for local water with streamers in han…
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