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Glass/Boo
Post 22 Oct 2013, 12:06 • #1 
Guide
Joined: 06/25/13
Posts: 130
Location: US-PA
Glass/Boo. ... i am up against a wall, i am fairly young and have had a few joints in my hands replaced , some days it hurts badly to fight and land a good size trout, i gotta take a break after landing and relasing one.
looks like my time is getting short fishing wise, i have a few very good glass rods am debating about getting bamboo
before i depart ways. am i missing something by not having a bamboo rod?


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Re: Glass/Boo
Post 22 Oct 2013, 15:01 • #2 
Master Guide
Joined: 11/23/12
Posts: 488
Location: Slippery Rock western PA.
Sorry to hear of your hand problems.I can't speak to the bamboo question as I never fished one. Before you give up on a rod. Try a larger grip on it. A small grip can be a big problem for some people. Some overlook the grip and think its a problem with
"balance" of rod and reel.BASS PRO had a product years ago called rod wrap, it was a tape you could put on the cork grip to build it up. It has no adhesive so it won't harm the rod.


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Re: Glass/Boo
Post 22 Oct 2013, 16:57 • #3 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 04/20/07
Posts: 8920
Location: US-ME
Twas me I would enjoy the break, and spend the money on a sports medicine specialist, surgery, medications, whatever it takes. I would definitely experiment with different grip shapes and diameters. And I would ask my doctor for recommended positions for other gripping/manual tasks performed regularly/ For instance, keyboarding positions and hands on steering wheel positions when driving an automobile can make a dramatic difference in joint pain. For many years until a doctor gave me a simple tip in that regard, I could shoot a lot or fish a lot, but not both.come to find out the 10 o'clock 2 o'clock position was rendering my grip painful much more than shooting and fishing. Now I use 4-8 and can shoot a lot and fish a lot. Even if none of that yielded much improvement, I would fish as much as I could with my 'glass rods, pass on bamboo, and use the money for a Cadillac CTS.


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Re: Glass/Boo
Post 22 Oct 2013, 17:36 • #4 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 07/22/11
Posts: 1720
Location: US-TX
Don't know what is going on but have you considered a switch or spey rod for spey/skagit type casting? Plus the long butt may help in fighting fish. Only suggesting as others who have experienced joint problems continued to enjoy fishing a bit longer with such rods.


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Re: Glass/Boo
Post 22 Oct 2013, 19:21 • #5 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 06/16/05
Posts: 2537
Location: Georgia
whrlpool wrote:
Come to find out the 10 o'clock 2 o'clock position was rendering my grip painful much more than shooting and fishing. Now I use 4-8 and can shoot a lot and fish a lot.

As a complete aside, I think 4 & 8 is what "they" now recommend to lessen the risk of hand/arm injuries in case of an airbag deployment. My sister-in-law spent several months in wrist braces after a pretty minor surface street accident.


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Re: Glass/Boo
Post 22 Oct 2013, 21:17 • #6 
Guide
Joined: 01/12/08
Posts: 342
Location: Penn's Woods
For the past year, I have been unable to fish because of health reasons. One of the things I miss the most is fishing with my bamboo rods, which are relatively new to me. Does one of us need a bamboo rod?, no; should one get to experience a fine bamboo rod?, I would say yes. To me, bamboo is the finest material for a trout rod. But finding the "right" bamboo rod can take years. It's a tough call. How long will our bodies hold up? Can one deal with the heartbreak of enjoying a new rod for maybe a short time? Are our hands strong enough to join and separate the metal ferrules? If you think your hands will hold up, and you have the passion, I'd say go for it. A short, light line rod will be easier on your hands.


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Re: Glass/Boo
Post 22 Oct 2013, 22:17 • #7 
Guide
Joined: 02/23/11
Posts: 344
Location: US-CO
Definitely missing out. I could go on for days ... stop fighting big fish and buy a short cane rod. I can suggests many. Start fishing smaller streams and your hand will last longer. Im in my early 30's and have a blood clot slowly killing my casting arm. I feel your pain.


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Re: Glass/Boo
Post 23 Oct 2013, 04:24 • #8 
Guide
Joined: 06/25/13
Posts: 130
Location: US-PA
heres the deal , I have had 2 index finger joint replacements ,one in each hand and staring
at# 3 , the middle finger of the casting and fighting hand. i tape my fingers together for support when I fish. which is a lot of my free time. My surgeon aid to me I am the only guy in s.e. pa both both hands done. the implant tech rep even remembered me. I don't really want to feel so famous. maybe I should look at softer glass with enough backbone to roll cast a # 6 streamer and fish #20's. open for suggestions!


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Re: Glass/Boo
Post 23 Oct 2013, 05:57 • #9 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 02/06/07
Posts: 1437
Location: US-VT
There was a point in time that I thought I was missing something. Bought a bunch of cane, sold them all and don't regret doing so. I like short light line glass rods much, much better for a variety of reasons. With your described situation I would think that metal ferules alone would be enough reason not to go done the cane path.


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Re: Glass/Boo
Post 23 Oct 2013, 06:45 • #10 
Guide
Joined: 08/02/09
Posts: 128
Location: US-IN
Currently I enjoy fishing bamboo rods more than any other, but I truly enjoy rods in all three materials. Without being in your position, I don't really have an appreciation for what you are experiencing, but it doesn't sound like much fun.

And for me that's what fly fishing is all about: having fun. I don't deny that there is a certain level of enjoyment that comes from fishing a rod made from a material you have an appreciation for. But it's the activity, not the rod material, that will make or break my day on the water.

If you want to experience bamboo, go for it. But that then becomes the activity you are looking for: Experiencing what a bamboo rod feels like. If you are just looking to have fun fishing ... Any rod, in any material can do that for you.

---David


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Re: Glass/Boo
Post 23 Oct 2013, 07:52 • #11 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 11/24/06
Posts: 1507
Location: Beautiful View, WA
First, I'm sorry to hear about your and others' physical ailments that make fishing difficult for you. I hope you can find a permanent solution.

On cane vs. glass, I'm with Tabornatives: Just a few years ago my cane arsenal was up to 6 rods, all from very well-regarded modern makers like Thramer, Raine, Ramanauskas, etc. I sold all of them as I simultaneously built an arsenal of modern glass rods. While I very much appreciated the artistry of cane rods and found fishing them to be a pleasure, I decided glass was just a better material for pure performance. Now all of my rods 8' and shorter are modern glass.


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Re: Glass/Boo
Post 23 Oct 2013, 08:01 • #12 
Master Guide
Joined: 08/19/12
Posts: 477
Location: Central Oklahoma
Quote:
maybe I should look at softer glass with enough backbone to roll cast a # 6 streamer and fish #20's. open for suggestions

I have a Cortland ProCrest 8' #6/7 that has a similar feel to my 9' bamboo. It might fit the bill but I have never tried it with a streamer. My boo is on the slow side and so is the ProCrest.


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Re: Glass/Boo
Post 23 Oct 2013, 09:08 • #13 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 03/16/08
Posts: 3540
Location: Upstate-NY
there is something "magical" about a special cane taper, that is just different than 'glass or graphite.
With your hand conditions, I wouldn't recommend any bamboo longer than 7'6", though - due to the added weight.

In general, you may want to take this as an opportunity to explore smaller wild fish waters with shorter/lighter rods in general.
Seems like it would stress your hands so much less, and would be a new adventure ...


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Re: Glass/Boo
Post 23 Oct 2013, 09:40 • #14 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 12/03/07
Posts: 1152
Location: Shenandoah Valley of Virginia
I like Corey's comments. 7'6" bamboo rods have a feel like nothing else, IMO. Sorry to say, I don't get a chance to fish them often enough.


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Re: Glass/Boo
Post 23 Oct 2013, 10:33 • #15 
Guide
Joined: 02/23/11
Posts: 344
Location: US-CO
Agree with the last two comments, a 7'6" cane is unmatched in my book. Have cast a few tapers that did not blow me away, but most do overall. I fish 3-4-5 wt rods in this length frequently.


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Re: Glass/Boo
Post 23 Oct 2013, 11:17 • #16 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 11/24/06
Posts: 1507
Location: Beautiful View, WA
In cane, I must say that I agree with that 7'6" length being the sweet spot in my (limited) experience. A little more broadly, I liked cane in 7'0"-7'6" and 4wt-5wt.


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Re: Glass/Boo
Post 23 Oct 2013, 14:35 • #17 
Guide
Joined: 06/25/13
Posts: 130
Location: US-PA
thanks for the responses in helping making my decisions. i will probably go to smaller glass, more than likely and tape my fingers together for support.


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Re: Glass/Boo
Post 23 Oct 2013, 15:49 • #18 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 11/30/10
Posts: 1847
Location: Michigan
5wtwithorangebacking wrote:
thanks for the responses in helping making my decisions. i will probably go to smaller glass, more than likely and tape my fingers together for support.

Rich, I will send you this 7'6" BOO when I get it finished to see if you think it will work or even a 7ft 4wt glass. You have been good to me. Never want to hear or read that you may need to give up this sport. I have issues with my hands as well.


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Re: Glass/Boo
Post 23 Oct 2013, 16:10 • #19 
Administrator
Joined: 01/10/06
Posts: 7811
Location: Holly Springs, NC
Obviously as a member here you spend time on computers. Switch from using your right hand on the mouse to your left hand.

Really.

It seems too simple to make a difference, but it worked well for me. Twenty years back I had severe right hand pain issues. I was forced to switch hands just to finish out a project. Once the project was done, I didn't switch back. Now the pain in my right hand is gone, as long as I continue to mouse with my left hand. I don't have issues with fishing rods, tools, or any other right handed tasks - just mousing. I'm fairly certain I avoided surgery by switching.

For a few days the switch is awkward. But once you adjust, left hand mousing is just as accurate and fast as right handed mousing.* At home I kept leaving the mouse on the left side of the keyboard. Eventually my wife and son switched rather than continually moving the mouse back to the right. We can all still use a mouse right handed, but we prefer it on the left.

Tom

* For right hand dominant people, it seems an impossible task to switch sides. However, I've heard this explained as a right brain - left brain issue. Supposedly the right side of the brain controls visual-motor skills, such as mouse manipulation. The right side of the brain also controls the motions of the left hand and fingers.


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Re: Glass/Boo
Post 23 Oct 2013, 16:25 • #20 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 11/24/06
Posts: 1507
Location: Beautiful View, WA
Tom, that is a great idea to switch mouse hands. I do that too! For 10+ years, I've alternated left and right for periods of several weeks at a time. I got quite ambidextrous after a short time.


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Re: Glass/Boo
Post 23 Oct 2013, 17:03 • #21 
Master Guide
Joined: 11/05/07
Posts: 590
Location: ID/MT
I like bamboo, but I don't really think you are missing anything. Maybe fish a couple of rods a few times for the experience. Once you've done that, I suspect you'll be more than happy sticking to glass (or even certain graphite rods). It sounds like Shane can help you out. Bravo, Shane.


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Re: Glass/Boo
Post 24 Oct 2013, 07:56 • #22 
Piscator
Joined: 08/10/05
Posts: 19078
Location: downtown Bulverde, Texas
I don't think you're missing out. But if you pursue it, forget 7'6" and look for a Perfectionist or PHY Midge (or Driggs River if you want a 5-wt). Doesn't have to be from the Paul Young shop - many rodmakers copy these tapers today. Think short arm movements and haul.


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Re: Glass/Boo
Post 24 Oct 2013, 12:06 • #23 
Master Guide
Joined: 05/08/06
Posts: 796
Location: RenoNV/FranklinWV
Actually my sweet spot for Bamboo is 71/2 to 8 feet. 8 foot being my preference.

But 61/2 to 7 footers may be easier on you.


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Re: Glass/Boo
Post 24 Oct 2013, 12:35 • #24 
Guide
Joined: 06/25/13
Posts: 130
Location: US-PA
I have replacements in BOTH hands, the less dominate hand was just done, and I had been able to cast with both hands. I am only 53 and VERY active ,with a long way to go. Taping my fingers together is a short term fix, in the end. I am a marathon runner and had to tape them from bone jarring during training. that's the level of discomfort I am talking about. I also like to stalk large trout, it is my fatal weakness. I just really wanted to fish grass and hand down to my son before the time got too short. thank you all for your suggestions. this will work, I don't give up.


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Re: Glass/Boo
Post 24 Oct 2013, 13:36 • #25 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 09/29/06
Posts: 4413
Location: Willamette Valley, Oregon
I want to be clear. It is your hands that make casting so difficult. Yes? I have a way of casting when arthritis flares in my hand and elbow.
Paul


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