Nymphing w/ Midge Patterns

[Lucci]

I seem to have a problem with landing fish with midge nymphs. I usually fish a midge pattern as a dropper, and I get a lot of hook-ups on them. However, I would say half of the fish I hook up on one of these patterns are able to shake themselves loose; I actaully hook them, proceed to play them, and they then shake themsleves loose. Is this just a norm with fishing small patterns, or am I doing something wrong, i.e., setting the hook incorrectly, playing them wrong, etc.? Does anyone have any advise? Thanks....