On 13-Nov-2008, Peaceful Bill wrote:

I've been checked several times for license (mostly in Tennessee), but
not for barbs. Never been ticketed. I just figure its less stress and
hassle to stay within the regs.

When I was a kid, 15 or so I lived in, NYC Brooklyn to be exact
I had a good time as I as a good athlete and that's what we did then - play
ball
My uncles had some land in a fairly rural area - then
I stayed at my uncle's house and I used to go cat fishing - hitchhiking to
a pond that later was filled in and became the Nanuet mall

One time a game warden who looked like Smokey the Bear & a boy scout leader
came over to me and said " do you have a license, son? "
I said "What are you kidding? **** off!"

Well he threw my ass in jail and called my uncle who told them to keep
awhile me as I deserved it
I was kept awhile

Since then I always buy a license (even if I only fish for 1hour or sop in
an area)and I try to observe the regs but this barbless hook thing scares a
bit- I do crush my barbs
But sometimes - who knows?
There could be a burr
I will have to check them all and
I guess that I will have to look for barbless flies

Fred