I canīt speak for John, but I debarb my hooks before I start using them. Itīs surprising how hard it is to loose the fish even when you wish to loose it. On one ocassion I accidently impaled myself with a size 6 mayfly. It really was an asset that it it didnīt have a barb.
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If it isnīt broken, it doesnīt have enough features yet.