Hey, george - what size hook do you sue with your Stubby Steve's?
Theo, I use #6 Mustad 92641 bait hooks – they have barbs on the hook shank to hold SS away from hook gape.
They are large enough to cull small BG, heavy enough to sink the fly, and handle large HSB as well.
If SS is not hooked securely lose too many.
Fish caught on the surface become hook shy much quicker than when caught sub-surface - visibility too good on surface,
Fish are smart…!
Another tip – Catch and released fish caught on SS’s fish will become conditioned for it as quickly as any other lure, so it helps to change baits occasionally.
I’ll switch back and forth from SS to AXMX ph fly to prevent this problem.
