Downstream hook set

Setting of the hooks on soft hackles, spiders or other such wet flies that are swinging downstream can be the most "difficult" hook set to do, as it goes completely against everything that you have been taught and learned over the years.
With a normal setting of a hook, you lift and set the hook before the fish spits out the hook.
With soft hackles and spiders you have to give line and wait or gently raise the rod. The French say "Give your hand to the fish" meaning you extend the fly rod hand to the fish if you want to greet him with the hand. In England, they keep the rod upright and let the fish "pull" the rod down. Sylvester Nemes advocates to have the rod at an angle and when you feel the tug, all you do is gently lift the rod and say "Fish, are you there?" If nothing, keep the fly swinging.
Not setting the hook with some firmness and a quick movement of the rod does take a lot of self control and a lot of exercise, But once mastered, it's very satisfying.