I was hoping for some clarification on this topic. I know what Single Barbless hooks are and when they apply, but my question is more to how many are allowed. I had an argument last fall while fishing for Salmon. I had (2) single Barbless hooks on and was fishing with corkies and yarn. The other guy was trying to tell me I could only use a single barbless hook. I believe you can use up to (3) single hooks on your line if you like, so I was legal with (2)....What does everyone else think?

You are legal w/2 hooks.

I was never checked by a G/W. Wish I had been, just to get it cleared up.

I had always been under the impression that the term "single" meant one hook per line. Is your interpretation that there can be multiple hooks, but each must be a single, as opposed to a treble?

If so, can you then run plugs with 2 siwash hooks in a river designated as "single barbless"? I've always heard you had to replace the two trebles with one siwash to be legal.

A single barbless hook is just what it says, a single(1) barbless hook. Anything else means a ticket.

Here is my interpretation according to the regs. On page 10 under HOOKS. Single = a hook with a single point. Barbless = A hook from which all barbs have been deleted when manufactured, filed off or pinched off. Then on page 12 under GEAR RULES. YOU MAY NOT Use more then one line with three hooks while fishing. So I interpretated that to mean I could use (2) single hooks with the barbs pinched down. Now, on Page 11 under SELECTIVE GEAR RULES, it says, Only unscented artificial flies or lures with (a) barbless single hook are allowed. In this definition I view the (a) to mean only one hook allowed. But on many rivers it only calls for single barbless hooks (see the s on the end of hooks) Can this mean more then 1 single pointed barbless hook allowed? Interesting how the rules can be interperated.

[This message has been edited by RANDY (edited 05-05-99).]

Here's your deal. You can have up to 3 hooks, each one with a single, barbless point. On a plug, you can replace the two trebles with two single siwash hooks and be legal in an area, the Satsop for instance, that calls for single barbless hook(s).

I would just use one to be safe. Just not worth the ticket. My two cents anyway.

As far as I understand from my talks wih the warden ... "single barbless hooks" mean just that ... whatever number up to three. Now ... in a "selective fishery" rule, then you are allowed just ONE single barbless hook. To save yourself a ticket, I'd always try to ask a local warden in the area you're fishing for his or her interpetation.

Since you aroused my curiosity, I Emailed the WDFW and asked for a clarification. The rules are as follows:

If the body of water you are fishing has a special rule written as "single pointed barbless hook", then you can fish up to three of these on one line. If you review the regs, you'll see some of these.

If the body of water you are fishing is under "selective gear rules", then you must fish with a "barbless single hook" as described in the definition of "selective gear rules". This means only one hook on the line, only one hook on your plugs.

In other words, "single pointed barbless hook" refers to the number of points on the hook, not the number of hooks. And "barbless single hook" refers specifically to the number of hooks on the line.

Bottom line, if your fishing in a "selective gear" fishery, better not have more than one hook on your line...

Thanks seadeep, that is how I interperated it, just curious to other opinions on the rule as well. Thanks for checking.