How do you grip your rod?

Where is your thumb located?

I have been reading a book by Lefty and he preaches thumb on top always in line with target. I got to trying it and noticed my natural tendency is to put my thumb about the 10-11 position. (I am double jointed on my thumb, so my golf club grip is slightly different than most.)

I googled it and it looks like there are three grips. Thumb on Top, V Grip and Forefinger up top.

Which are you?

Does it matter? (They do say the Forefinger up top is what a lot of small stream guys do.)

I'm a thumb on top guy. And I don't think it matters as long as you are consistent in your method.

I use all three of the main grip styles and depending on what I am trying to accomplish, I may change my grip mid-cast.

Each of the grip styles have their own strengths and weaknesses. Just like in golf where a putter and driver have different uses.

I think the Thumb on Top is the best general purpose grip and it the one I use most often and it is the one I teach first. Learning to keep your thumb on top and the reel pointed toward the fish throughout the casting stroke will help your accuracy and tracking.

I think the thumb on top and the finger on top are the most accurate grips. Because it is easy and natural to point your finger or thumb at a target. If the rod is aligned with your finger or thumb, then it will also be pointed toward the target.

I use the Finger on Top in specialty situations. I primarily use it in two situations; when casting ultra-light rods and with very short casts where extreme accuracy is needed. The negative to the Finger on Top is that it can limit your stroke length which means it is not the best choice for long distance casting.

The V-Grip's best strength is longer distance casts, primarily because it allows for a longer casting stroke length. The negatives include that is seems to be more difficult for many caster to learn to use and accuracy can suffer, especially at shorter distances.

But, the bottom line is that the best grip to use depends on the fishing conditions and what you are trying to do with that cast. Learning use each of the different grip styles, will increase your versatility as a fly fisher.

Good Luck!

Have you dealt with any casters who are double jointed? How does it effect them and their grip?

I don't think I understand your concern?

The phrase "on top" will be a little different for each of us. This is especially true as we get older and our flexibilty and range of motion changes.

The way I look at it is that if the grip hurts or is uncomfortable, then you're doing it wrong.

As an "older guy" with arthritic thumbs, I can tell you that there are times I have to change my grip just to alleviate pain. I've also found that if I grip the rod too tightly for too long, I can get tingling and numbness in my fingers. That tells me it's time to take a break and observe the water or fish.

I cast with my thumb on top unless I'm casting very small dry flies. Then I tend to cast with my index finger on top. Not sure exactly why, it's just something I have always done.

What Rex said and
I use the thumb on top technique. I can use my thumb to follow the horizon and know my movement is straight back and straight though. Also it helps me feel when the rod has loaded on the back cast. I need distance being hip dip in the lake most of the time and trying to reach out.

My golf grip (V grip with the V going down the shaft is the key grip in golf, being double jointed my thumb locks in thus opening up the V more on my golf grip, thumb kicks out more.) is a little different and I was just curious if the fly casting grip was that important to be directly on top.

After about 10 mins of trying it that way (thumb on top), my thumb and hand was sore. Went back to what was comfortable and the pain went away and my cast got better (my standard 10-11pm).

I didn't know if anyone else was double jointed and how their grip was effected.

I do have carpel tunnel mainly in my left hand from years of heavy bass fishing(fast and furious). Switching to fly fishing has gotten the rod out of my left hand. I definitely don't want CT in both hands. Being I am right handed.

Thanks!

Really good thread Bass_Bustin_Texan. I already had carpal tunnel in my elbow. 4 months after grabbing the fly rod I developed it in my wrist as well. My thumb burned like fire and I couldn't sleep for several days. I too have been experimenting with my grip because now I am starting to feel pain on top of the forearm as well. This should help me in my experimentation. I just try to fish with lighter weight fly rods as much as possible and limit the time I throw big flies on my 8 weight. Maybe a grip change will allow me to throw them a while longer. Thanks!!!

Humbly suggest you check your wrist action on the back cast. If you are breaking your wrist and the butt of the rod comes off your forearm more than an inch or so it will surely give you that "tennis elbow". Sort of like a golfer keeping his wrist firm thu a chip or pitch shot. There are many videos on you tube about that. Here is the best video on casting instruction I have found. His discussion on the "paint brush" back cast was really helpful to me. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KwWCejXkfxU

I don't see anything wrong with this. We're all made a little different and I doubt if any of us place our thumbs in exactly the same location as someone else.

We compare golf and fly fishing often, but there significant differences. A golf swing and the golf grip is more about consistency. As a general comment, you use basically same golf swing and change clubs to adjust distance. (I know, this is overly simplified.)

But a fly cast is all about making changes and adjustments to the casting stroke during the cast to account for changes in the speed of the cast, the amount of line in the air, the action of the rod, and if you shoot line during a false cast, you have to adjust for how the additional line will affect the cast. Because of all of these required adjustments, I think a fly casting grip has more tolerance available in it.

My vote would be to use the 10 or 11 o'clock position if it is more comfortable. I think you'll be fine.

I'll be at Fly Fish Texas in Athens on March 14, if you want to get together and discuss in person.

Thanks Zip-ur-fly. No question that is part of it. I actually got another casting lesson last weekend and that is one of the points we discussed. I am working on a few things so this information will help.

Rex, I often find myself gripping the rod in the 1 to 2 o'clock position. It may have something to do with the larger grip on this particular rod. Would this add additional stress to the motion you think?

I'm with capt Mac I go thumb or pointer in different situations. When I am in a place I have to cast under handed with the loop going below the rod I actually have to put thumb and pointer down the side almost like a tennis grip. The only way I can get it to roll out underneath of corse the rod is perpendicular to the body so probably why. All good points here.