The only time I ever got hooked was when a northern pike took a bad bounce and drove two stainless salt water hooks deep into my thumb and palm near my fore-finger. It took a few more jumps just to make sure. We were able to release the fish which was somewhat of an improvement. I knew about the rope trick but because of the double hooking opposing each other it didn't work. That left me with an 1 1/2 hour boat ride, a wait for the plane, and a med-evac to a small northern town. The pilot's girl-friend picked me up and it took quite some time for the doctor to cut the hook out of my tendon. The thumb still is a bit numb from nerve damage. After it was removed, I eventually got back to lake by reversing the above and actually got back out fishing that evening. I put the treble hook back on the lure and caught fish on it. 20 some hour days go a long way to making that possible.
Total cost? Zero. Conclusions? Not much except it was a lousy time to be quitting smoking.
