[OptiMystic]

Sometimes I feel like I am falling apart. I do have a family history and blood factor that gives us a tendency toward joint problems. I just had my knee repaired last month and may be looking at work on my right shoulder next. Anyway, I was really planning to get into fly fishing more this year, but the few times I did I ended up popping ibuprofen like candy for a few days for bursitis and tendinitis. I don't want to give up on it if I don't have to and I wondered if maybe technique changes would help. Anyone else working through this and having any success?

 

[tarheel fly flinger]

I have started fly fishing with a 6 wt more . I also troll for Specs till I have a hit and then switch to fly. Poppers are harder to work but provide the most fun. . For relief I use Aleve and it works pretty good . Ten years ago I fly fished 95 percent of the time now its less. Take care and we will see you on the water soon.

 

[horsehead]

Make sure you're using the right size rod for the flies you're throwing. Catching average size fish can be more fun on a lighter rod, but it takes much more effort to throw a big fly on a little rod. Don't be afraid to go to a 6wt or even an 8wt depending on what species you're fishing for. If bass is on the menu, I'd even consider a 9wt. The rods will be a little heavier, but you'll be able to greatly reduce the number of false casts and effort involved in throwing the larger flies, and this less overall fatigue. Just a thought...


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[Kev2380]

Look into your casting technique too. I notice when I get tired I tend to use my wrist and shoulder more. It prevents the rod from doing all the work and puts more stress on your body.

 

[catmaster]

Roll cast..........

 

[sandbar]

There's a few videos on youtube with Lefty showing his techniques for old geezers like me with joint issues.

 

[OptiMystic]

Are you recommending his approach in general or does he have some specific techniques for people with joint troubles? I found a lot of videos but none seemed specific.

 

[lostnwilderness]

Get a good casting instructor to work with you. Once you understand the true dynamics of a cast, you can take any joint out of the equation. All wrist, all shoulder, all elbow, sideways, overhead, 45degrees it is all the same. +1 on the roll cast. With practice, you can roll cast a long, long, long ways.....

 

[Fish_Fiend]

+1 Roll Cast. I knew a man 80+ years old that would roll cast all day and not have the first pain.

Gene - Red》X《 - Asheboro

 

[wademaster]

I had major shoulder surgery maybe 3 years ago. Hurts all the time. Medium action bass outfit killed me after fishing all day but the fly rod doesn't inflict pain nearly as bad.

Roll casting works great. When false casting I've found a "side arm" position works better than the over head position, doesn't hurt at all.

When getting into fly fishing this was a major concern for me. All is well thus far.


Sent from my kayak...

 

[Dylar]

I'm right-handed, but my left shoulder is toast. The casting doesn't bother me, but stripping big flies on sinking line in fast water does a number on the bum arm.

 

[RouseD]

I have seen Lefty's vid on this. Haven't needed it yet, but it could be on the way. Lefty has a method for casting with elbow into the side, and mostly using the forearm.

There's a few videos on youtube with Lefty showing his techniques for old geezers like me with joint issues.

 

[OptiMystic]

My elbow and shoulder seem to be in a race to oblivion right now. I think I can rehab the elbow, but I am pretty sure the shoulder is going to get scoped. If that works as well as it seems to be working for my knee, that may not be bad news.

 

[lostnwilderness]

I have seen Lefty's vid on this. Haven't needed it yet, but it could be on the way. Lefty has a method for casting with elbow into the side, and mostly using the forearm.

Dennis, this is actually the first method I learned. Tie a rope around your stomach and go around the inside of your elbow as well (planting your elbow into your side). Concentrate on 10 and 2 via your fore arm and wrist movement. Once you really understand the loading phase on both the forward and back cast along with the plane your rod tip follows (as it relates to how the line follows the tip) you are set. You can make any cast work from any angle.