The famous nocturnal Hex hatch of the Midwest (and a few other lucky locations) stirs to the surface mythically large brown trout that only touch streamers for the rest of the year.
I can't see an advantage to filing, it would take waaaaaay to much time. I crush my barbs and have no trouble getting them out of trouts mouths. Plus a lot of hooks have micro barbs, and they crush easily.
jeff
I've heard that filing them can weaken the temper and make the points more brittle. On the other hand, you can get a point that looks like a Tiemco SPBL or a Knapek hook, which some think penetrates better and holds better. I'm just buying barbless hooks these days, on the advice of someone who fishes competition. If anyone knows what will hold a fish better these guys do.
"He spread them a yard and a half. 'And every one that got away is this big.'"