yah, your single hook with the barely mashed barb might snag in one of the many nets strung along the Fraser River. Just think of all the damage you could do to the non-existent steelhead that DFO allowed to be destroyed.
Yes I tried to squeeze the barb with pliers & thought it was ok but the DFO guy said he could feel a bit of a edge so...got out the tool & squeezed it like 20x.
But another time was trolling & something big "nailed" my spinner & within 20 seconds the line el- broko. ( broke )
Getting a lot of "hits" at the time, I got too excited & got on another lure & literally & honestly it just slipped my mind that it had a barb.
Then the DFO boat ( just my luck ) came over to check our lines.
Gave them our ID & fishing tidal licenses after they noticed my lure had a barb.
After 10 minutes they pulled up close to our boat & gave me a warning only.
Well I was very "thankful".
When guilty & the " powers that be " can decide to put their thumb down but decide not to, I'm happy with the "grace & mercy".
These days I always double check my lures.
A zillion nets & we have to have barbless.
But guess for releasing fish a barbless hook will not cause as much injury.