Quote: knot_tyer said: When I teach folks: I give them 2 rods to get started. The first is a traditional action ( sage 7136) and a european (st.croix imperial 14' 9wt). Most folks that don't have any former knowledge, I put them in the 7wt. After a bit the start to develop the dreaded top hand syndrome. Then they get the 9wt. The 9wt after a little while tires them and starts to rid them of their bad habits.
It's the 'bad habits' that get far too many 2-handers resigned to a dark closet after a few outings. Personal opn. here only, if you can get a guy/gal/younster making 'succesful casts' you get 'happy campers' very quickly. Then as noted above, move them on to a larger/longer rod to really develop their skills.
Simple things such as getting your elbows up to (about) the level of your arm pits*** will reduce the 'fatigue factor' by half. You won't feel it much with a 7wt, but you'll sure as heck will with a 9wt. (What you're doing is getting your chest area out of the way of your body rotation. Try it; hold the rod level to the ground, rotate your upper body SLOWLY and then SLOWLY raise your elbows. You'll see what I mean.
*** Edit here: 'elbow's up' will also put your lower hand/rod handle at about the middle of your chest. A very good thing, especially for long line casts.
Fred A. Evans
Previous
Index
Next
Flat
EXACTLY!
Edit
Reply
Quote
(What you're doing is getting your chest area out of the way of your body rotation. Try it; hold the rod level to the ground, rotate your upper body SLOWLY and then SLOWLY raise your elbows. You'll see what I mean. 
