I took a look at the videos. I have seen the same one in the past. But I decided I should watch it again. Pt 3 was especially important to me. I am still overpowering my cast, and that is probably why I have my shoulder pain in the roll cast. I think part of it was I don't normally do that particular motion, and it put a strain on me by repeating that motion over and over. I think too that I may switch off and cast with my other hand some, to help alleviate some of the joint aggravation I am experiencing. Thanks again for the help.

Overpowering is a big thing deal, makes for some uncomfortable muscles and bones and lots of people do it... a lot! Generally it takes about 1/4 the effort you're putting into it if you just put your stops in the right place and tell yourself to pause between casts and just generally slow down.

If roll casting is bothering you, you can stop. Don't let anybody fool you into thinking there is any situation where you HAVE to roll cast. You can always turn your body sideways and cast in front of you sidearm or something. I fished hardcore for about 8 years before ever learning to roll cast because I didn't know it existed and by the time I did I didn't know why.

I see you're in NE Texas. I live in Lewisville, I'm a certified casting instructor and I give free lessons. Feel free to PM me if you're close enough to drive to Lewisville for a lesson and you feel like working on your casting.

Now as far as the bass bugs. There is more than one way to skin a cat. I try to go for flies with the illusion of bulk (either big in size but light to throw, or, small flies that push lots of water or flash a lot) in order to save a lot of casting trouble. Deer or wool heads and rabbit tails look great in the water, those and/or rubber legs are the absolute worse fly materials to try and cast. There are better (well maybe I should say different) ways.

As far as an 8 weight goes, you'll probably be surprised to find it's not much heavier than the 5. Test cast a few. Also if that doesn't work, you can always fish a shooting head on a 6 weight ( a line that weighs as much as an 8 weight, but, because you throw it on a 6 weight rod with a 6 weight-sized reel, you are casting a lighter outfit).

Very nice offer Dave!

I have to agree. If she is having shoulder pain it's the result of overpowering and rushing the forward stroke. Try and cast from the elbow more (keep it in closer to your body),and slowwwwww down. Go back to watching your back cast roll out and feel for that rod loading. IMO, the best way to stop overpowering is to perfect your timing. The energy in the cast is imparted from the loading of the rod not the strength of your arm. A good cast should look and feel effortless. Watch someone like Flip Pallot, Joan Wulff or Lefty Kreh cast a fly and you will know what I mean.

Thank you Long-Haired Dave. Lewisville is 3-3.5 hours away I am guessing. I will take you up on your offer. I can't do it this week though. Too much is going on right now, so I can't slip away.
I will send you a pm on this off the forum. I am just thrilled you would help me like that. THANK YOU. :-0

Spiny that is great advice, thank you very much. I did watch Joan and Lefty before. I have not heard of Flip Pallot, so I will see if I can find a You Tube on him.

I hope you can find some vid. I love to watch him cast. He used to have a regular fishing show but I have not seen it in a while.
Big ol' barrell chest and skinny legs makes him look like the most ungainly human to ever set foot on a flats skiff, but put a fly rod in his hands and he is transformed into a graceful artist.

5 wt is perfect for pickeral but not large bass - a 6/7 is perfect for bass and not too heavy - sort of like a med action bass rod. i also fish with a 8/9 and it wears me out and i'm a big guy.(and older than you)

good luck

Thanks then builderal, that settles that. I must get a seven wt then.

Kelkay,

I just posted a mouthful under the topic "Fly Rod" on this site. I hope it helps. BTW my wife has fished with me for many years and whatever we fish for, she always uses her 4wt Sage. She is a great example of keeping her casts short and although I can sometimes exceed her limits (size 4-6 hair flies and 60-100 foot casts into 25-50 mph winds - Argentina and Salt Water), she always gets more than her share.

Also, no one asked what rod you were using and what action it had. I've found that many rods are too limber and that a faster action will cut down on your effort and frustration. Also there is a reason that rods like Sage and G. Loomis are expensive. Their material and design are vastly superior like the cars I discussed in the other post. So when you go for your next rod, like others above have said, try several out, then get the one that fits you.

Doug

Pulp Fisher, I have a Dogwood Canyon Bass Pro rod/reel combo. It was about 90 bucks when I bought it, or a little more. I was brand new to fly fishing, and it was the first set up I ever saw that I could afford. I believe it is either med or med fast action. One of the guys who helped me cast said my rod was pretty limber, so that is probably one reason I'm having a hard time. I noticed he could outcast me by several feet without even trying though. I think practice with the right technique is the key. I have not casted enough to get good I guess. What gets me is I read how some guys that teach spey casting say that they have had people brand new who can cast so and so far... maybe I am just expecting too much for the time I have been fly casting. But this is why I stopped after trying it a few years ago. I didn't know a soul who did fly fishing. I did not have a computer to see how to do it. Seeing something is so much easier than trying to copy that movement from a book.
I will look at what you wrote on the other post.