I am incredibly surprised that no one has responded to this! If there is a subject that should produce many varying opinions, this is one! This is my approach on hooksets with a DH (doublehander), as applies to steelhead and Kings on a swung fly. At that moment when I feel that the fish HAS A SUFFICIENT HOLD ON THE FLY, I hit 'em hard. Here are my reasons why. 1- I am usually fishing with large flies, and at least half of the time they will be taken sideways by the fish, like a dog with a bone, which means that one must move the fly through the fish's mouth in order to effect a purchase. 2- I am never "tight" onto my fly during the swing, there is always some sort of bow in the line that must be removed during the hookset. 3- I hold the tip of my rod off of the water 18" to 36" during the swing (height dependent on length of cast, speed of water, etc) to allow for the fly to be "vacuumed" by the fish during the take. This "sag" must also be accounted for during a hookset... When swinging a fly, my rod butt is planted onto my right hip (i'm right-handed), with my right hand holding the rod loosely around the uppermost portion of the forward grip like a suspension cable. To initiate a set I pull back hard and fast with my right hand in the opposite direction from where the rod is pointing. At the exact moment when a steelhead or King takes my fly, my mind is most often not exactly focused on the task at hand, but rather wandering about looking at the scenery or daydreaming. Considering that many fish, especially winter steelhead, will not hold onto a fly for a long period of time, I have found it nearly impossible to "think" about using the "recommended set" (low and towards the bank). I have found the "hard and fast" to work well enough for me under most circumstances... P.S. - I follow the swing of the fly with my rod tip, therefore at any given time the rod is always pointing in the general direction of the flys' location.