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Walter & Group...
[GH] A mountain of information here, especially in the reference material. One might well consider saving this and doing the reading as time permits.
Gordy
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[GH] From Gary Eaton (Note the attachment with his article on shoulder injuries):
Gordy,
I am happy to join in the Q & A on specific stuff. George Foster should read my LOOP article on Shoulder Injuries, and we can go from there. This quote seems especially pertinent
"ELBOW FORWARD POSITION - The most shoulder protective style is with the elbow forward throughout the cast. The higher the elbow stays and the further the elbow moves away from the body above the shoulder, the greater the risk for significant damage. Thus high elbow with elbow to side poses inherent risk of shoulder discomfort."
Davison's comment on the McCue quote applies doubly (pardon the pun) to the use of two-handed rods, as mentioned in two of my LOOP articles - dividing work between both upper limbs almost surely reduces both range of motion demanded and force-per-unit-of-time in each appendage - keys to decreasing overload injuries. This quote form my shoulder article reinforces the concepts:
"I consider neither casting plane nor elbow position to constitute a complete casting “style”. For almost every fly angler, many casting adaptations must be employed to address the variety of fishing situations encountered in a given outing."
AND
"ROLE FOR TWO-HANDED ROD - Two-handed rods have enjoyed greater utilization in recent years. They might be seen as a double-edged sword, figuratively and practically.
On The positive, the hands typically operate at different heights relative to the shoulder. The fact that less shoulder range of motion is required seems one inherent benefit to shoulder pain sufferers casting with double-handed rods. The work of casting distributes between both arms as does supporting the mass of the angling tools.
Potential risks include, greater overall weight and longer length combine to magnify swing-weight. See the March, 2008 SL article Measuring Fly Rod “Swingweight" by Grunde Løvoll and Magnus Angus, at http://www.sexyloops.com/articles/swingweight.shtml The opportunity to completely rest one side never arises unless the rod is set down. For these reasons, two-handed rod may be best tried after non-dominant side casting fails."
For Jim Gill, I add this supportive quote form the same piece- "PRE-HABILITATION AND REHABILITATION - Proper conditioning needs to precede use of increased weight rods and to integrate with rehabilitation of shoulder pain. Resistance exercise builds strength while proper aerobic activity enhances stamina. Therapeutic exercise prescription falls within the realm of trained sports and rehabilitation physicians and affiliated therapists. Refer to them appropriately."
The shoulder article link is here and I have attached my unfettered MS WORD version -
Gary Eaton
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[GH] Here is the link to the entire LOOP issue. Gary's article is on page 49 :
I consider this one a "landmark issue", in part because of Macaulay Lord's well researched article on the history of the CICP. *
* Casting Instructor Certification Program.
Gordy
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[GH] Notes on personal experiences can also give insight into how other fly fishers have coped after severe shoulder problems ... even those requiring surgery. This from Peter Minnick:
Gordy...
In the mid nineties I had rotator cuff surgery on both my shoulders from years of flycasting,surfcasting,the javelin throw, pitching the baseball and falling on my shoulders from skiing....most likely a total recipe for disaster...From time to time when my shoulders became inflamed I couldn't lift my hand or arm above my shoulders and my activities were severely curtailed. I have been back for more surgery, but the Dr. tells me there's nothing to attach and the best thing I can do is REST.
Through the years I've had to give up casting but not fishing! Sometimes for as long as a year. I'm currently in the same situation getting ready to go on a fishing trip.
Yesterday I was able to cast 60' comfortably using a low elbow,horizontal Lefty style cast.I keep the butt close to my body and the elbow "on the shelf" with very precise wrist movements. I use the large muscles of the back to power the cast.
I recall a great article in the FFF archives about taper. I don't have access to it right now but it's about how the line and the rod is tapered as is your body. You have the large muscles of your body frame which taper to the smaller muscles of your elbow , wrist and fingers. Be sure to initiate the cast with the large muscles and it seems that the more you can do that the less susceptible you would be to injury...It has worked for me...
Peter
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[GH] Peter,
Testimony to your success in achieving ways to avoid re injury and to remain a successful fly fisher...even to the extent of big game salt water endeavor, is my having been on the skiff with you and Bruce Chard when you made a perfect presentation to a tarpon a few weeks ago and caught that critter .....a 120 lb. behemoth by conservative estimate !
I've observed that you also use body rotation to advantage as you cast and as you fight large, powerful fish. That technique can take a lot of pressure off the shoulders. Some of us who have reached our eighties do this to help prevent shoulder injuries.
Lefty Kreh has made a point of this in recent years in his teachings and writings. His body, "swivel" technique allows the effective use of body motion without the forward/back or side lurching which can literally pitch a guide right off the poling platform. *
* CASTING with LEFTY KREH, by Lefty Kreh, 2008, pp. 58-62.
Gordy
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[GH] Two more references sent by Gary Eaton:
Gordy,
Some "Generalist" articles on physical fitness for casting.
Avoiding Casting Injuries - Strength & Endurance by Dr. Gary Eaton, MCCI on page 15 -
Avoiding Casting Injuries - Conditioning versus Training on page 7
GE
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Gary,
Many thanks for your sterling contributions !
Re: "Pre-habilitation" -
Athletic coaches have recognized that by conditioning athletes including the increase in muscular strength that this decreases the incidence of many injuries during competition. With increased strength of casting muscles there is better control, as well as less tendency to fatigue.
Years ago, Charles Ritz published his list of recommended conditioning arm exercises which he called, "The Bottle Method". These exercises were done with a hock bottle. * **
Joan Wulff devoted an entire chapter to, "Strengthening Your Casting Muscles" in her accuracy book. **
Some of our best casters, including Master candidates, have combined their practice routines with regular non-casting exercises as they prepared for their exams.
I was fishing with Steve Rajeff a few years ago when he said he was disappointed with one of his competition casting events. He said, "I wasn't in the buff". I knew just what he meant.
Having served as a surgeon with the 82nd division paratroopers many years ago I was able to observe first hand how carefully controlled and organized rigorous physical training reduced the incidence of injury when landing on the drop zones during military jump exercises.
* A FLY FISHERS LIFE, The Art and Mechanics of Fly Fishing, by Charles Ritz, 1959, p.35.
*** Joan Wulff's FLY-CASTING ACCURACY, by Joan Wulff, 1997, Chap. 12, pp. 89-93.
Gordy
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Attachment:
SHOULDER - ADAPTIVE CASTING INSTRUCTING PEOPLE WITH PHYSICAL LIMITATIONS.pdf
Description: Adobe PDF document